Some people find it difficult to lose weight around the stomach even with regular exercise. People who have excess skin and fat around the abdomen are often embarrassed about the appearance of their stomach. They also find it difficult to participate in activities such as swimming or going to the beach.
Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic surgery procedure that seeks to improve abdominal laxity. The surgery tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall, correcting sagging abdominal skin. It is an excellent cosmetic procedure to correct excess abdominal skin and repair muscle laxity following childbirth or as a result of significant fluctuations in weight. A tummy tuck will also remove stretch marks visible beneath the navel.
Related: Mini Tummy Tuck vs Full Tummy Tuck
As more and more people get tummy tucks to love their bodies better, new evidence is suggesting there may be more to it than, say, feeling confident on the beach. It is now being illustrated that having abdominoplasty after significant weight loss can help patients keep the weight off – leading to a reduction in a host of health problems, from diabetes to heart disease.
There is more to tummy tucks than just “vanity”!
1. Motivation for a healthier lifestyle
A successful abdominoplasty can motivate patients to keep their weight in check. For example, after bariatric surgery a patient might lose up to 100 pounds, but be faced with a new problem: loose, excess skin and pouchy stomach fat. This doesn’t exactly inspire someone to feel their very best; they still don’t fit into clothes properly or feel comfortable.
Having a tummy tuck can improve self-esteem such that a person feels it’s worthwhile to keep the weight off permanently. Keeping to a healthy weight, especially around the midsection, has been proven to reduce one’s risk of developing chronic health problems like cancer and heart disease.
2. Lower risk of skin infections
Tummy tuck can lessen the risk of infection and promote healing after other surgeries, such as hysterectomy, kidney transplants and hernia surgery, because infections can occur in folds of excess skin if they aren’t excised.
3. Appetite control
It can help sustain weight loss, because abdominal fat has been linked to increased levels of appetite-influencing hormones that are secreted by adipose tissue. A typical patient with less abdominal weight seems to get less hungry and feel fuller at mealtimes than one who is carrying significant abdominal adipose tissue.
4. Improved posture
Having less weight around the mid-section can relieve back pain – and tightening the abdominal muscles can make them work harder, improving posture and allowing for more effective workouts.
As a result of aging and pregnancy, the muscles around your abdomen may start to separate. This reduces muscle strength, and can lead to saggy skin. A tummy tuck tackles this issue by repairing and tightening the muscles, a procedure referred to as plication.
5. Reducing stretch marks
A tummy tuck will surgically remove stretch marks below one’s belly button.
Curious About What a Tummy Tuck Can Do for You?
If you are considering a tummy tuck procedure, you should consult an experienced plastic surgeon to determine if you’re a good candidate. With over 30 years experience in the field, Dr. Kenneth Dickie has helped thousands of patients with abdominoplasty and other cosmetic enhancements. Contact us today at the Royal Centre of Plastic Surgery in Barrie (40 minutes north of Toronto) to schedule an in-depth consultation with Dr. Dickie, and become happy with your midriff this year!