Pros and cons of the tummy tuck surgery
A flat and firm tummy tuck is still in the cards, even if you had multiple pregnancies or considerable weight fluctuations that left behind an unpleasant looking belly apron. This tight and firm tummy might not be achievable with the help of diets and exercises; however, there is one efficient solution to the problem and we call it a tummy tuck surgery in popular terms and an abdominoplasty in medical jargon.
The abdominoplasty can make the tummy flat by eliminating the excess of fat and skin from the level of the lower abdomen, but also by strengthening and suturing together the abdominal muscles. After the surgery, patients can notice they have less stretchmarks (if they were present on the lower part of the tummy – the excess skin that is eliminated during the surgery).
The procedure is recommended for people bothered with a considerable surplus of skin (and most often, fat too) on the tummy. But this is not enough to be an eligible candidate for the procedure, there are other criteria to fulfill.
Assessing the eligibility for the tummy tuck surgery
Like it is often the case with plastic surgery, the patient finds out all the details of the procedure during the first consultation with the plastic surgeon. Generally speaking, the plastic surgeon will take these factors into consideration before indicating the tummy tuck as a suitable procedure in your particular case:
- You are in good health and emotional condition and you have realistic expectations from the procedure;
- You can take time off from work for the recovery period (about two weeks);
- You understand and accept the risks and potential complications associated with an intervention as complex as the abdominoplasty;
- You don’t smoke or you are willing to quit for at least a couple of weeks before and after the intervention;
- You don’t take medication that is contraindicated;
- You have skin folds on the inferior part of the tummy;
- You lack muscular tonus at the level of the tummy;
- Your self-esteem is affected by the unaesthetic aspect of the tummy.
Only after you know you are a good candidate for the abdominoplasty, you should look into the pros and cons of the intervention.
The pros of the tummy tuck surgery
A better contoured tummy
If a belly apron or a fat tummy is making you feel miserable, then the tummy tuck is definitely a good option for you. A flat and firm tummy can make you look years younger, and it can also improve your self-esteem. Many patients talk about an improved quality of life after undergoing this surgery. They are more interested in engaging with others on the social field, and also their personal and professional lives can be improved. Finding clothes that fit well is much easier after the belly apron is removed and the overall aspect of the patient can be very different due to this contouring of the tummy.
You’ll look better in a swimsuit
If you always tell your kids that you don’t like water just because you want to avoid showing your body in a swimsuit, you might benefit a lot from undergoing a tummy tuck. And the really good news is that the tummy tuck scars are not even visible if you choose your swimsuit wisely! So, from now on you can enjoy time at the beach or the pool with your family without worrying about your protruding tummy.
You’ll feel better
Feeling good is something that starts in our heads, not in the breasts or the tummy. However, looking in the mirror and feeling proud and satisfied with the look can help a great deal. But aside from the aesthetic aspect of the body that results after the abdominoplasty intervention, we should also mention the functional part. Patients find it easier to move around, perform activities that were unpleasant or more difficult before. The difference is even more visible if the patient had a massive skin fold that had to be removed during the procedure or if liposuction was associated with the abdominoplasty.
The cons of the tummy tuck surgery
You will have a scar in the lower part of the tummy
Most often, the scar left behind after the tummy tuck surgery can be easily masked with panties or a swimsuit. It is only when the extended tummy tuck was performed that patients might have a longer scar, more difficult to hide. To set up correct expectations from the procedure, the patients should know that the scars are longer or shorter depending on the amount of tissue that has to be removed. Also, the scars become less visible with time, but they don’t disappear completely. Most patients consider this a small price to pay to get such fabulous results.
The results of the surgery can be altered if a pregnancy or weight gain occurs
The results achieved with the tummy tuck are long term or permanent only if the patient is committed to following certain recommendations. For example, gaining weight after the surgery or getting pregnant can change the aspect of the tummy once again and alter the results achieved with the abdominoplasty. The plastic surgeon will advise you to schedule your intervention only if you have no plans to get pregnant in the future and you are committed to keeping a stable weight post-op.
You need to take time off from work
The tummy tuck surgery is a complex intervention that can redefine the overall aspect of the body, even if it addresses just the abdominal area. But this means that the recovery process is more demanding compared to other plastic surgery procedures, such as liposuction, for example. Patients should be able to take at least two weeks off from work to rest and recover after undergoing the tummy tuck.
Final words
Before considering the pros and cons of undergoing a tummy tuck, you should make sure that you are an eligible candidate for the procedure. If you want a firmer, flatter tummy and a better defined abdominal area, schedule a consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Essie Yates at the Yates Institute for Plastic Surgery in Fort Lauderdale today.