There is no getting around the fact that our tummies are one of the parts of our body that we complain about the most. It is an area that, for many of us, seems to be particularly affected by weight gain and stubborn pockets of excess fat. It is also notoriously hard to tone up, especially after you’ve gained and then lost weight or if you have had a baby.

Frustration is just one adjective that many people use to describe how they feel about their abdomen when they have worked hard to lose weight and make their stomach smaller and flatter, but they aren’t seeing the results that they want or deserve. Worse still, many people are left with loose, excess skin that only emphasizes their lack of tone and tightness. This can cause feelings of self-consciousness, embarrassment and even social anxiety and depression. They may not feel able to wear the clothes that they would like to or participate in certain activities. It can even have an impact on personal relationships.

If you can identify with any of these issues, then you may already be considering a tummy tuck – a cosmetic surgery procedure that is designed to tighten up the abdominal muscles and remove any excess fat and skin so that you can achieve a flatter, smoother and more toned abdomen. However, not all patients are automatically suitable for this procedure and first, you will need to attend a consultation appointment to see if you are a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery.

 

What Makes Someone a Good Candidate For a Tummy Tuck?

Determining candidacy for any cosmetic surgery is not a straightforward process. Your surgeon will need to assess your physical and emotional health to decide if your chosen procedure is right to address your concerns and help you achieve the changes that you are looking for. They must also be certain that the benefits you reap from the surgery will outweigh the risks associated with it.

Nevertheless, there are some elements that make someone more likely to be a suitable candidate for a tummy tuck procedure. These include:

• A stable weight that they are happy with. A tummy tuck is not a weight loss solution, it is to be used after you have reached a weight that you are content at. Further weight loss could cause further sagging skin, while any weight gain will also undo the result of the surgery.

• Generally good health. For any patient to undergo any surgical procedure they need to be fairly healthy. This is in part due to the fact that a general anesthetic will be needed, which comes with its own risks

• Patients who are non-smokers. Smoking is bad for your health anyway, but it is particularly bad news when you are trying to recover from an operation as it slows the rate of healing and puts you at greater risk of complications.

• You don’t intend on expanding your family. Becoming pregnant will of course cause your stomach to grow to accommodate your baby. Your muscles will stretch too, and after your baby has been born, you are still unlikely to ‘snap back’ to your previous shape and will be left with excess fat and skin all over again.

• You understand that a tummy tuck isn’t a solution for every aspect of your life. Some people mistakenly think that improving their appearance will automatically improve other areas of their life such as their career or personal relationships. Your surgeon will need to be satisfied that you are choosing a tummy tuck because you want the procedure, not because you feel that someone would prefer you with a flatter stomach or that it would somehow help you get ahead in life.

If you are considering a tummy tuck procedure and would like to schedule an appointment to discuss your candidacy, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Alan Matarasso MD, FACS, PC where our friendly and discreet team will be happy to assist you (212) 249-7500.