What Makes Someone a Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Do you have loose, sagging skin along your stomach? Have your once firm and toned abdominal muscles become stretched or torn? These concerns and more can be addressed with a tummy tuck surgery. 

If you have lost weight and still struggle with stretched skin, you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck. Ver Halen Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery in Southlake, TX, offers tummy tuck procedures for clients who want a more contoured abdomen. 

What Is an Abdominoplasty?

An abdominoplasty is a plastic surgical procedure in which a surgeon removes loose skin from the abdomen and repairs underlying abdominal muscles. Abdominoplasty is more commonly referred to as a tummy tuck. 

Candidates for Tummy Tuck Surgery

The most common reason our patients seek tummy tuck procedures is to remove loose skin that hangs around their midsections. Others seek tummy tucks because they have damaged or stretched abdominal muscles. 

What causes these damaged abdominal muscles or excess skin to form?

Previous Weight Loss

When you are overweight, your skin stretches to accommodate the excess weight. This is most notable on the abdomen, where most people carry excess fat. If you lose this fat, the stretched skin will remain left behind. This skin can appear to sag downwards and hang. 

A tummy tuck can remove this loose skin and create a flatter, more toned abdomen.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a very common reason for seeking a tummy tuck. During pregnancy, the excess weight in the midsection causes the skin and abdominal muscles to stretch. These underlying muscles can also become damaged and torn during pregnancy. 

After childbirth, the extra weight will be gone, but the stretched skin and torn muscles will remain. Tummy tuck surgery can remove the stretched skin and repair the damaged abdominal muscles.

Aging

The aging process is another reason that people end up seeking a tummy tuck. As you age, your skin loses essential collagen and hyaluronic acid. This causes it to become lax and drop downwards. The skin on your abdomen may have once been tight and firm, but it can start to sag and hang with age. 

An abdominoplasty can be used to remove any sagging skin and tighten the remaining skin to create a flatter midsection.

How to Find Out If You’re a Tummy Tuck Candidate

If you’re wondering whether a tummy tuck is right for you, the only way to find out is by having a consultation with a plastic surgeon. We need to assess your midsection, loose skin, and abdominal muscles to see where your current figure is at. We will also discuss your desired outcome to determine whether it can be achieved with a tummy tuck.

The ideal candidate for a tummy tuck will be someone who is in good overall health and able to have surgery. You should be within range of your optimal body weight before you can have a tummy tuck. 

Abdominoplasty is not a weight loss surgery. If you have a moderate to significant amount of excess fat, you may need to lose weight before you qualify for a tummy tuck. In certain cases, a tummy tuck can be performed in conjunction with liposuction to remove some excess fat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tummy Tucks

Do you have questions or concerns about abdominoplasty? Check out some of the most common questions that patients have when seeking a tummy tuck procedure.

Which Type of Tummy Tuck Should I Have?

There are three different types of tummy tucks: classic, mini, and extended. The classic tummy tuck is ideal for those who have excess skin on the upper and lower abdomen, in addition to damaged abdominal muscles. 

The mini tummy tuck is a great option for patients who have a small amount of loose skin on the lower portion of their abdomen. Extended tummy tucks are reserved for those with pronounced, sagging, loose skin on the entirety of their abdomen. The extended tummy tuck frequently includes repositioning the belly button.

Will I Be Under Anesthesia During My Tummy Tuck?

Most tummy tuck procedures are performed under general anesthesia. In the weeks leading up to your surgery, you will need to receive medical clearance from a general physician to confirm that you are healthy enough to be under anesthesia.

How Long Does a Tummy Tuck Surgery Take?

The duration of your tummy tuck will depend on what type of procedure you are having. A mini tummy tuck can be completed in as little as one to two hours, while an extended tummy tuck can take about three to four hours. 

Will I Have Tummy Tuck Scars After Surgery?

Many patients have questions about whether tummy tuck scars will be visible after their surgery. When we perform a tummy tuck, we make the incisions as discreetly as possible. Small sutures will be used to close your incision, and they will be removed about one week after surgery. 

To prevent visible tummy tuck scars, you will need to practice proper aftercare. This may involve certain products that minimize the development of scars. We will discuss these products during your consultation appointment and again when you are discharged from surgery.

Schedule Your Tummy Tuck Consultation Today

Are you interested in a flatter, tighter stomach? Tummy tuck surgery can remove excess skin and repair underlying abdominal muscles to give you a more sculpted midsection. 

Ver Halen Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery in Southlake, TX, offers tummy tuck procedures for clients looking to improve their figures. Contact us online or by phone to schedule your tummy tuck consultation today.