Am I a suitable candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

Dec 2, 2015 | 2. Blog, Body Surgery, Tummy Tuck

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy Tuck (or Abdominoplasty) surgery is a common procedure for those who are dissatisfied with their abdominal area and feel self-conscious about loose sagging skin/excess tissue around their midsection. Women who have had their stomach and abdominal muscles stretch due to pregnancy and those who have lost a considerable amount of weight are the most common candidates. Sometimes, no matter what diet and exercise you try, you simply cannot eliminate the overhang or “muffin top” caused by the excess skin in that area. Therefore, undergoing Tummy Tuck surgery may be the best way for you to achieve a smoother and flatter stomach area.

Tummy Tuck surgery involves removing excess skin from the middle and lower abdomen, relocation of the belly button and in some cases where required muscle repair to the abdominal wall. This procedure can create a dramatic difference in your appearance, however, is not suitable for just anyone! Tummy Tucks are most effective on relatively healthy non-smoking patients and is NOT a weight loss alternative – Your Tummy Tuck should be the icing on the cake or cherry on top to finish off your weight loss or Mummy Makeover transformation.

Ideal candidates for a Tummy Tuck:

Those who have lost a substantial amount of weight and have excess hanging skin
Women post pregnancy who are not planning on any more children
Have a BMI under 28
You are physically, medically and mentally healthy
Have no medical issues
You have maintained your current weight/lifestyle for minimum 6 months

Unideal candidates for a Tummy Tuck

If your BMI is over 28
If you are overweight
You have bad health – regular or heavy smoker/drinker
If you have a large amount of fat still to lose from your abdomen area
Women who are planning on having more children
If you cannot introduce a healthy lifestyle before and after surgery
If you are planning on losing further weight (this should be done before surgery)

If you are required to lose weight before your Tummy Tuck:

A common reason people are not accepted for Tummy Tuck surgery is because they are overweight. It is important to understand that Tummy Tuck surgery is not a weight loss alternative. If you are overweight or have a significant amount of intra-abdominal fat that surrounds your internal organs, you may be required to lose weight before considering a tummy tuck.

Do not be discouraged if you are not accepted for surgery just yet due to your weight. Use this as motivation to get yourself healthy via diet and exercise. Once you shed the excess fat from your stomach area that will leave behind the maximum amount of skin to be removed and will result in superior surgery results. We also notice a significant difference in the recovery of clients who engage in regular exercise and training in the lead up to surgery compared those who do not.

Here are some simple tips for weight loss prior to surgery:

Set your goal weight and a weight loss timeline
Create a Healthy eating plan (either by PT or nutritionist)
Create an exercise routine – even just a 30-40 minute brisk walk every morning is a great start
Record your progress each week with a partner or friend

Tummy Tuck Surgery & Pregnancy

Before undergoing Tummy Tuck surgery you need to ask yourself – Do you want to have more children in the future? This is an extremely important decision as it may compromise the results of your Tummy Tuck and will likely result in requiring revision surgery. We strongly encourage you to withhold surgery until you have commenced having children. Another important aspect to consider is your recovery period – if you have young children, you will need someone to look after them plus assist you around the house. It will not be possible to take care of your family by yourself without compromising your health and your surgery results.

Realistic expectations about your Tummy Tuck

Most people would love to have sculpted 6 pack abs! However, those who do have an abdomen that looks like a cheese grater, have worked hard for it through diet and exercise – not surgery.

It is important to understand that your lifestyle and eating habits reflect your body weight (as well as pregnancy). A tummy tuck can repair and tighten your abdominal muscles and improve the appearance of your stomach. However, this major surgery will not be deemed worth it if you go back to old habits like an unhealthy lifestyle or if you plan to still lose more weight post surgery – both these factors can alter your results.

This is your body

Many of our clients have improved self esteem and confidence post surgery, however, this is after months if not years of consideration, research and hard work in preparation. If this feels like something that may improve your confidence and overall quality of life, do your research and get a head start by introducing a healthy lifestyle now!

See here for more information about Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery