Are You In Need Of A Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, is a commonly sought procedure among people who are unhappy with the way their middle looks. The abdomen is a prime spot for fat to accumulate throughout your life, and over time it takes its toll. Things like weight gain, weight loss, and pregnancy can turn your tummy into something that you aren’t proud to show off. If you’re bothered by any or all of the following condition, the tummy tuck may be right for you.
Loose Skin and a Poochy Belly
As the level of fat around your tummy fluctuates, your skin stretches and shrinks to accommodate the fat deposits. There comes a point where your skin stretches far enough that even if the fat is removed, your skin can’t bounce back to what it was. This results in loose skin around your middle which is extremely difficult to tighten back up again. The loose skin also serves as a hiding place for additional fat, which in turn gives you a poochy belly. Even if you lose the excess fat deposits through exercise or even liposuction, your tummy may not completely recover.
A tummy tuck will remove the extra fat, even the stubborn pockets that are hiding. It will also trim away the extra skin and tighten the remaining soft tissue so that it looks smoother.
Loose Muscles in Your Abdomen
Sometime the trouble isn’t just about loose skin or stubborn fat; your abdominal muscles can also be a problem spot. Muscles can be affected by weight fluctuations, pregnancy and a lack of exercise. Over time, your muscles lose their tone and can even be repositioned through changes in your tummy. Women who have been pregnant often experience this because the fetus causes the muscles to stretch and separate from the abdominal wall.
A tummy tuck will repair your muscles and move them back to the midline of your abdomen so your tummy can be flatter and tighter.
Lots of Stretch Marks
Stretch marks can occur all over your body, but ones around your tummy can be particularly aggravating. There unfortunately isn’t a way to perfectly remove all your stretch marks once they have happened. You can lessen their appearance with special creams and lotions, or they can fade over time, but they never go away completely. This can be a source of embarrassment or discomfort with your body.
A tummy tuck involves lifting and trimming away the extra skin on your abdomen. This means some of your stretch marks may be completely removed with this procedure. Any stretch marks that are left will be moved lower on your abdomen and will not be as noticeable.
Lack of Confidence in Your Tummy
Now that warmer weather is approaching, are you dreading pulling out your summer clothes? Does the idea of wearing your swimsuit or close-fitting outfits make you cringe? A lack of confidence in your tummy can lead to a lack of confidence in other areas of your life, which can have a negative impact on your mental and emotional health.
When your tummy looks and feels healthy, you gain more confidence in your body, which then spills over into the rest of your life. A tummy tuck can help you achieve this goal by making your tummy look more toned and fit.
Alternatives to Tummy Tucks?
Tummy surgery can be intimidating, especially when you’ve never had major surgery like that before, not to mention the costs and time that come with having cosmetic surgery. You might be tempted to seek out nonsurgical alternatives to tummy tuck surgery to avoid spending a lot of money or going through the surgical process. While there are some tummy tuck “substitutions” available today, such as the tummy tuck belt, it is very unlikely that you will get as good results without the actual tummy tuck surgery. If you are looking into this type of product, make sure you read the reviews very carefully.
Other people look into liposuction as a possible alternative to tummy tucks. Liposuction is less invasive and still gets rid of excess fat to help people feel better about their bodies. For some patients, liposuction is actually a very viable option. If the problem with your tummy is more related to the amount of fat than the amount of excess skin, or if you are generally fit and healthy but have pockets of fat that won’t go away even with exercise, a liposuction procedure might be more beneficial to you.
There are also different versions of the tummy tuck, including the mini tummy tuck, which focuses on smoothing and tightening the lower half of your abdomen. You may not need a full tummy tuck to get maximum results.
You can discuss different options with a plastic surgeon or your general practitioner to find out which choice is the best one for you and your body. Every patient has a different body and different goals, so it’s important to find the right option for you.
Tummy Tuck Surgery at Spalding Drive
At Spalding Drive Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, CA, you can find several different options for improving your tummy from qualified plastic surgeons. You can look through before and after tummy tuck surgery photos as well as other procedures, check out our doctors, and even read through patient reviews. You can also schedule a consultation to meet with a surgeon and determine the best way to change your tummy into something you are excited to show off for the summer. Contact Spalding Drive Plastic Surgery today to get started! Our doctors are among the best in the country and are dedicated to helping you become your best self.