Should I Get a Tummy Tuck If I Plan to Lose Weight
If you have been exercising and dieting but still can’t seem to smooth your belly, you aren’t alone. Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, can help you get the toned, flatter stomach you’ve dreamed about.
Many people wonder if they should undergo abdominoplasty if they’re planning to lose weight. The truth is that the best time to have a tummy tuck is when you are within 10-15 pounds of your ideal weight.
Getting a tummy tuck can be a big decision, and board-certified plastic surgeon Christopher Brooks, MD, and the team at his private practice in Hollywood, Florida, want you to be well informed. Take a moment to find out what you need to know before getting a tummy tuck.
Tummy tucks are not a weight-loss solution
Although a tummy tuck can help you get rid of that stubborn fat in the abdomen you can’t seem to shake, it is not a method for weight loss. To qualify for the procedure, you must be at or close to your ideal weight.
Dr. Brooks tailors your surgery according to your needs, but the most common process involves removing excess skin and fat, tightening abdominal muscles, performing liposuction and sculpting, and repositioning the belly button. This process boosts your results and gives your tummy a better tone and contour.
However, abdominoplasty does not cause your weight to drop drastically. After the surgery, you should be prepared to maintain your weight and health. Significant weight gain or loss will impact the results of the surgery.
Provides benefits you can’t get with lifestyle changes
Surgery doesn’t downplay the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise. Building good habits in these areas goes a long way in good overall health and body performance, and aesthetics. However, lifestyle habits and changes cannot solve all body issues.
For example, you cannot target the exact areas on your body where you want to lose weight by dieting. Cutting fatty foods is good, but it doesn’t mean the weight will come off your midsection. And if you have loose skin and weakened connective tissues, exercise cannot fix it.
In these cases, a tummy tuck is the only way to get your abdomen the results you want.
Both men and women can benefit
Many people assume that tummy tucks are only for women, but people of both genders can enjoy big benefits from the procedure!
Women may want a tummy tuck after pregnancy, but both men and women may go through significant weight loss that leaves excess skin and fat around the midsection. It turns out that a growing number of men have been turning to tummy tucks for this reason.
No matter your gender, a tummy tuck can help you get the body you’ve dreamed of having.
Your age doesn’t mean you can’t get a tummy tuck
Most people getting a tummy tuck are between 35-50, but almost half are over 50. Even people over 65 are getting tummy tucks! Your age is less important than other factors to make you a good candidate, such as:
- Being a nonsmoker
- Having good overall health
- At a stable, healthy body weight
- Having realistic expectations and goals
There is no correct age for a tummy tuck, and Dr. Brooks reviews your personal and medical history carefully before recommending any treatment option.
If you’re ready to learn more about tummy tuck surgery and if it’s right for you, don’t hesitate to give us a call or request an appointment online.