Best Candidates for Tummy Tucks

Tummy tucks are one of the top five cosmetic surgical procedures in the United States; in fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has reported that almost 116,000 surgeries were performed in 2011 in the United States alone. The medical term for tummy tucks is abdominoplasty, and it is a surgical method to flatten the abdomen, remove excess skin and tighten stretched abdominal muscles. While having tummy tuck procedure may sound like an easy way to a flat stomach, any reputable cosmetic surgeon will insist that you meet certain criteria before embarking down this path. Suitable Tummy Tuck CandidatesYou must be a generally healthy person to be a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery. If you consistently eat right and exercise but still have a troublesome abdominal area, this procedure may be a suitable solution. Other physical characteristics include:

• Women who have been pregnant and now have weak/stretched abdominal muscles/skin or stretch marks. 

• People who have successfully lost significant amounts of weight and are left with excess abdominal skin.

• Older adults whose abdominal areas have lost elasticity and now sag as a result of the natural aging process.

 Successful candidates must also be realistic expectations about the surgery outcome, including acceptance of the recovery process and possible scarring along the bikini line. Reasons to Avoid Tummy Tuck SurgeryThere are certain individuals who should delay or completely avoid tummy tuck surgeries, such as those who refuse to follow a healthy diet and exercise program and want to use the surgery as a weight loss solution. Tummy tuck surgery is not a guarantee that excess weight will not reform in the abdominal area. Other reasons why you may be refused for tummy tuck surgery include:

• You are a woman and plan to become pregnant in the future. The abdominal stretching during pregnancy may make it necessary to repeat the surgery.

• You are a smoker and cannot, or will not, stop smoking. Smoking can interfere with your healing and increase the risk of complications.

• You plan to lose significant amounts of weight in the future.

• You are an extreme fitness person who cannot limit strenuous activities during the post-surgery recovery process.

• You are worried about having a scar along the bikini line.

• You are having the surgery at the urging of another person.

 It is important to understand that having a flatter abdominal area will not drastically change your life. If you set unrealistic expectations for the outcome of your surgery, you will be disappointed. Dr. Fan at 77 Plastic Surgery can help you determine if you are a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery. For more detailed information about this procedure or to schedule a tummy tuck consultation, visit www.77plasticsurgery.com or call 866-751-9830.