If you’ve been dieting and exercising for a while, you’ve probably noticed that the mid-section is the hardest to tone up. To make matters worse, weight loss can also leave you with loose skin and loose abdominal muscles, cosmetic concerns that lifestyle changes alone can’t fix.
Dr. Michael Schwartz, a board-certified plastic and cosmetic surgeon with over two decades of clinical experience, put together this article to explain what a tummy tuck is and how it can address the issues mentioned above.
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, and it can accomplish three goals in one go.
During a tummy tuck, Dr. Schwartz can accomplish the following:
This procedure is ideal if you’re in overall good health, at a stable weight, and dealing with issues such as loose skin, weakened muscles, and excess fat.
Women who’ve been through pregnancy may also benefit from a tummy tuck. After giving birth, some women may experience loose skin or separated muscles that improve with time.
Many of our patients are simply dealing with bulges that develop with age, and these bulges usually don’t respond well to caloric restriction and exercise.
During a tummy tuck procedure, Dr. Schwartz makes an incision across your lower abdomen to access the muscles and remove excess tissue. After your muscles are put in place and the excess fat is removed, Dr. Schwartz removes the excess skin and stitches the area back together.
During the recovery period, you may have to wear an abdominal binder for at least six weeks to avoid fluid accumulation. You should also avoid strenuous exercise during this time. Depending on your overall health and age, you may be advised to take more or less time off.
To get an idea of what you can expect the final results to look like, take a look at our before and after gallery for abdominoplasty.
If you’re at a stable weight and are in overall good health, you may be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if your main concerns are excess skin, fat, and loose muscle in your abdomen.
Want to find out if this procedure can help you achieve your aesthetic goals? Contact us to schedule an appointment in Pasadena, California.
