Am I a Good Tummy Tuck Candidate?
Despite being a popular surgery for both men and women, not everyone is a good tummy tuck candidate. In this article, we’ll walk you through the candidacy requirements for tummy tuck surgery and explore tummy tuck New Jersey variation options for different patients.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck procedure (also called abdominoplasty) is a major surgical procedure that removes loose skin from the abdomen while tightening the abdominal muscles and smoothing the stomach. Many people who have gone through significant weight loss and women who are done having children are often the best candidates as they tend to have accumulated excess skin on the abdomen.
Tummy Tuck Options
There are several different types of tummy tucks:
Full Tummy Tuck
This procedure will address excess skin from the entire stomach area — above and below the belly button. One incision is made around the belly button (as the navel may need repositioning), and another is made on the lower abdomen roughly from hip bone to hip bone.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Mini tummy tucks require just one incision beneath the bikini/underwear line. It may be shorter than the full tummy tuck incision. A good mini tummy tuck candidate is someone who does not have a lot of excess skin and does not need belly button repositioning or muscle tightening above the navel.
Extended Tummy Tuck
The extended tummy tuck literally extends around the sides of the patient, so the lower abdominal incision is longer, which naturally results in a longer tummy tuck scar. The good news is this allows your surgeon to remove more loose skin from the sides of the patient.
Fleur-de-Lis Tummy Tuck
A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck requires a third incision made vertically from the belly button down to the lower abdominal scar. It is an approach to abdominoplasty that is used when there is more excess skin than usual on the front of the abdomen.
Are You a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
You may be a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery if the following statements are true.
1. You have loose sagging skin on your abdomen.
Patients who’ve lost a lot of weight and women who experienced significant weight gain during pregnancy often seek this surgery because both of these situations can cause excess skin on the stomach. Of course, aging and other factors can cause loose abdominal skin as well.
The primary prerequisite is simply that your main point of concern is excess abdominal skin and all that comes with it — stretch marks, wrinkles, sagging, stubborn fat, etc.
2. Your abdominal muscles have separated.
Again, weight gain and pregnancy often cause the stomach muscles to become separated down the middle. This can be extremely difficult to repair without surgery. A tummy tuck can remove excess fat and skin, but it can also repair separated ab muscles.
3. You’re in good physical health.
Patients must be healthy without major medical concerns prior to undergoing surgery. Underlying conditions must be reported to your surgeon, and you must also submit to additional tests if necessary. Patients should take care of themselves and lead a healthy lifestyle as this will also help to ensure long-lasting results.
4. You’re at a stable weight.
Overweight and obese patients may end up with more complications during or after surgery. Your surgeon will advise you if you need to lose weight before booking a consultation.
It’s also important to be within a healthy weight range so that your results don’t change if you end up losing or gaining weight after surgery.
5. Your expectations are realistic.
Realistic expectations are crucial to plastic surgery. While we will do everything we can to safely help you achieve your goals, some things we cannot change, and not every surgery will turn out exactly the way the patient may envision it. Talk with your doctor about your concerns and your prospects, then weigh your options, considering the likelihood of varying outcomes.
FAQ: Tummy Tuck Surgery
How do I prepare for a tummy tuck procedure?
Preparing for tummy tuck surgery involves following your surgeon’s instructions, which may include quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, avoiding certain medications, and arranging for someone to assist you during recovery. Additionally, it’s essential to mentally prepare by understanding the procedure, its risks, and expected outcomes.
Who is not a good candidate for a tummy tuck surgery?
Patients who are not physical healthy, don’t have sufficient loose skin, are severely overweight or obese, and those who simply wouldn’t benefit from this surgery (but may benefit from liposuction or another procedure instead) are not good candidates for tummy tucks.
Book a consultation to know for sure if you’re a good candidate for this procedure, which primarily gets rid of loose skin (and a minimal amount of excess fat) while tightening the abdominal muscles.
Who is a good candidate for a mini tummy tuck?
The best candidate for mini tummy tuck surgery is someone who only has a small amount of loose skin on their lower abdomen and no need for muscle tightening above the belly button. They should also be in good physical health with no serious medical concerns.
What is the average cost of a tummy tuck in the US?
Schedule Your Consultation Appointment Today
Is a tummy tuck right for you?
The only way to know for sure is to find a board certified plastic surgeon near you and schedule a consultation. Dr. Smita Ramanadham is a board certified New Jersey plastic surgeon who specializes in procedures like the tummy tuck.
Please call our office today to set up your personal consultation appointment with Dr. Smita. We look forward to hearing from you.
References
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-type-of-tummy-tuck-is-right-for-you