Tummy Tuck - Are There Alternatives?

Many men and women are unhappy with the appearance and contour of their midsection. This problem is so widespread that it is probably the number one reason most people spend a lot of time at the gym. Cardiovascular workouts are designed to increase the heart rate and help people lose weight. The most popular place that people want to lose weight from is their abdomen. Even if an individual has unsightly fat pockets in other areas of their body, the abdomen and midsection carries the most weight. As such, it has the most dramatic results when weight is lost or removed from the abdomen.

Tummy tuck operations are very popular elective cosmetic procedures for this reason. Men and women work hard to lose weight, but may be frustrated by a final few pounds that resist their best efforts. Or maybe you have lost several hundred pounds and want to get rid of the excess skin that has lost its elasticity and shape. Whatever the reason, there are alternatives to consider that may be a better fit for your desired goals and expectations.

Pregnancy can easily interfere with tummy tuck operations. If you have been recently pregnant and want to lose a lot of weight, you will probably have to postpone your operation until the weight is gone. In this way, the operation is simply used to tighten sagging skin and tone the abdominal wall. If you are planning to become pregnant anytime in the future, you will want to postpone your operation until after all pregnancies are completed. Pregnancy has a unique effect on the muscles of the abdominal wall and can separate the vertical muscles that are often tightened and attached during the cosmetic operation. As such, the changes that occur while carrying a fetus can completely undo the procedure.

Prospective patients that have had previous abdominal surgery also may not be good candidates for this procedure. When surgical incisions heal, they can form what is called adhesions. Adhesions are an excess of connective tissue in certain areas that are remarkably strong. They can cause anything from unsightly skin wrinkles to complete bowel obstructions. You should make sure to tell your surgeon about any previous abdominal surgeries before undergoing this sort of operation. He or she will be able to outline the risks and advise whether a tummy tuck is a good idea. Cutting through adhesions may make them worse. If you are prone to adhesion development in the first place, then this procedure may not be for you.

Contact a plastic surgeon in your area today to determine if this procedure is right for you. A physician should be able to help you see the risks and side effects, as well as benefits of a tummy tuck in order to make an informed decision. Keep in mind that there are many alternatives that can help you get the smooth abdominal contour that you desire.