Would you like a flatter, tighter, more toned tummy? Would you like to look and feel better in bathing suits and lingerie? Would you like to get your pre-pregnancy body back? If you answered yes to any (or all) of these questions, I encourage you to consider getting a tummy tuck.
Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, extracts excess fat and skin from the abdomen and restores weakened or separated abdominal muscles. The result? A smoother, firmer, more attractive midsection.
Often performed as part of a “mommy makeover” (a procedure that helps restore a woman’s figure after having a baby), a tummy tuck is also very effective at reducing excess skin from women and men who have experienced extreme weight loss in a short period of time.
What will a tummy tuck “fix”?
It is very common for people of otherwise normal body weight and proportion to develop a protruding, loose, sagging abdomen. The most common causes include:
- Aging
- Heredity
- Pregnancy
- Prior surgery
- Significant fluctuations in weight
A tummy tuck takes loose, flabby skin that has lost its shape and elasticity and transforms it into a flatter, smoother abdominal surface.
Who is a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
I’ve performed hundreds of tummy tucks and in my experience, optimal candidates for tummy tucks:
- are in good health but have excess skin, loose muscle and excess fat which they want removed
- are within 20% of their ideal body weight
- have had significant weight loss, either from diet and exercise or surgery
- men are also good candidates for a tummy tuck, especially if they have had extreme weight loss
Who should not consider a tummy tuck?
If you plan to get pregnant, you should postpone a tummy tuck until after you have delivered. During surgery, your vertical muscles are tightened and future pregnancies can separate those muscles. Also, if you are planning to lose a significant amount of weight, you should not have a tummy tuck.
What a tummy tuck will do
Even though the majority of tummy tucks that I perform are for cosmetic reasons, there are several medical benefits to having the procedure, including:
1) Greatly improved appearance
After pregnancy or weight loss, a woman’s stomach often does not return to its previous tone, shape and look. The skin may be loose or hanging, the muscles may have spread, there may be some fat in places where it wasn’t before, and the waist may have widened. A tummy tuck helps improve these issues by reducing extra skin and fat and tightening the abdominal muscles. This results in a narrower waist, a flatter belly and a more toned appearance.
2) Return to pre-mommy clothes
Physical changes after pregnancy often cause extra skin or fat to remain in the hips or lower stomach. The extraction of this tissue and the tightening of the muscles usually results in a smaller dress size or the ability to wear clothes you haven’t felt comfortable putting on in years.
3) Improved abdominal tone and better posture
After extreme weight loss or multiple pregnancies, stomach muscles can become distended, and diet and exercise alone cannot help. A tummy tuck surgically tightens weak muscles while extracting excess skin and fat, thereby flattening the abdomen. Weak abdominal muscles are often associated with lordosis or “sway back.” After abdominoplasty, many of my patients notice that their posture has improved significantly, due to the tightened muscles supporting their spine. The improved support and better posture can have the added benefit of relieving certain types of back pain.
What a tummy tuck won't do
A tummy tuck is not a substitute for weight loss or an exercise program. Although the results of a tummy tuck are technically permanent, this can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For this reason, if you are planning to lose a substantial amount of weight or if you’re considering future pregnancies, I would advise you to postpone a tummy tuck.
If you are interested in a tummy tuck
I understand that choosing to have a tummy tuck is an important decision for a woman. I also know how much it means to each and every patient to achieve the results she wants.
If you are thinking about getting a tummy tuck and would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact me and I will send you additional information prior to your appointment. To make sure you are fully informed about your surgery options and understand exactly what results to expect, I will take all the time you need to make sure your questions are answered.
Learn more about cosmetic body procedures
For further information on body slimming, toning and contouring procedures, you might find these pages on my website helpful:
- Body Procedures
- Mommy Makeover
- Butt Augmentation
- Brazilian Butt Lift
- CoolSculpting
- Liposuction
- Lower Body Lift
- Tummy Tuck
Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Samuel J. Beran, MD is a highly accomplished plastic surgeon with offices in Manhattan, Harrison and Mount Kisco, NY. With more than 20 years’ experience and a thorough command of the most advanced techniques and technologies, Dr. Beran consistently provides his patients with the highest level of plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast, face, skin and body. Recently, Dr. Beran was named a “Top Doctor” by RealSelf for his dedication to responding to consumer questions and patient feedback. The “Top Doctor” designation is awarded to less than 10% of the RealSelf physician community.
