If you have loose or sagging skin around your midsection, you may be wondering whether abdominoplasty surgery (also known as a tummy tuck) is right for you. While it is important to keep in mind that this is major surgery, patients who undergo this procedure often see dramatic cosmetic results and potentially some medical benefits as well.
If you are considering abdominoplasty, here are a few answers to some of the questions that you may have about this procedure.
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the surrounding muscles giving the patient a firmer, more toned appearance.
This procedure is for individuals who have excess sagging skin around the abdomen usually as a result of past pregnancies or extreme weight loss. It is best that women wait until they are not planning any future pregnancies before having an abdominoplasty so that they do not negate the results of the surgery.
It is best if you are as close to your ideal weight as possible. This reduces risks of the surgery and also improves the results. Ideally, you should have a BMI (Body Mass Index) less than 25. If you are a body builder, or have lost more than 100 lbs, then a BMI up to 30 may be acceptable. Click Here to check your BMI.
Liposuction is almost always used for excess fat, unless the patient is extremely skinny.
In most cases, the surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
Again, this depends on the patient and how much extra tissue needs to be removed. It varies anywhere from 2 hours for a mini-tummy tuck to 3-4 hours for a full abdominoplasty.
Stretch marks that are located between the belly button and the pubic area will usually be removed during a full abdominoplasty surgery. Stretch marks above the belly button may be moved to a lower location but will not be removed.
The tummy tuck procedure will leave some permanent scars, however a good surgeon will keep these to a minimum. Over time, however the appearance of these scars will improve.
The results from abdominoplasty are permanent, however if you become pregnant again or have a significant change in your weight, it can affect the results.
Following a pregnancy, it takes some time for a woman’s body to stabilize – the length of time that this takes will vary from woman to woman and you should not have a tummy tuck until this process is complete. Six months is a common time-frame.
Unfortunately, when the skin and muscles around the abdomen get stretches beyond a certain point, diet and exercise alone don’t help. Liposuction and laser treatments can help to remove fat and tighten skin but only abdominoplasty can remove excess skin and stretch marks.
Contact Edelstein Cosmetic in Toronto, to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jerome Edelstein or Dr Kunaal Jindal.
Toronto's Leading Cosmetic Clinic
If you’re ready to take the plunge into plastic surgery or our non-surgical treatments, the first step is a consultation. We look forward to helping you achieve your dream aesthetic.
