Will a Tummy Tuck Give You a 6-Pack?
There’s a myth that a tummy tuck can give you a flat, firm belly, so you’ll have an instant beach-ready body. This isn’t the case. While a tummy tuck will remove excess skin and may repair weakened abdominal tissue that has been stretched by obesity or pregnancy, that’s as far as it will go. Once you have recovered from the procedure, it will be up to you to exercise and tone your muscles. It will still take hard work to get the firm, toned look you want. The tummy tuck simply helps you get rid of the flab, so you’ll be slimmer.
A Tummy Tuck isn’t a Guarantee Against Future Weight Gain
Some people believe that undergoing a tummy tuck means that you won’t be able to gain weight again in the future. In fact, your metabolism hasn’t changed, so, unless you change your lifestyle habits, you’ll likely regain the weight. Once you have had your tummy tuck, your doctor may recommend a healthier diet and exercise plan to help you better manage your new weight. Even a future pregnancy can undo the benefits provided by a tummy tuck, so it’s important to wait until you have finished having children.
Removing Excess Skin
If you lose weight too fast or give birth, you will likely be left with excess skin that hangs and looks flabby. There’s no fat there; it’s just extra skin. In this type of situation, a tummy tuck can remove some of that skin to give you a head start on firming up.
Can Stretch Marks Be Removed?
When you gain weight in a short period of time, your skin can tear in the deeper layers as a result of being unable to stretch far enough to accommodate the extra mass. As you lose weight, those tears will become visible as stretch marks on the thighs, hips, and abdomen. For many people considering a tummy tuck, their main motivation may be to have these stretch marks removed.
Unfortunately, removing stretch marks isn’t as easy as it may seem. It’s unsafe to remove too much skin from the abdomen, so it may not be possible to remove all of the stretch marks. Some marks may be removed below the belly button as a part of the tummy tuck procedure, but you shouldn’t expect to see all of your stretch marks removed. For the remaining marks, your plastic surgeon may suggest other types of treatment.
Schedule a Consultation
Before you consider a tummy tuck for yourself, it’s important to separate the myths from the facts. While this overview provides a good starting point, contacting Straith Clinic can help you understand more about how a tummy tuck can help you. A consultation with Dr. William Sabbagh can help you get started on the road to wellness.
