Tummy Tuck, How do I know if I’m a candidate?

ANSWER: Many women get to the point after pregnancy and childbirth and caring for children, that it’s time to reclaim their previous physical appearance. Naturally this begins with an exercise program and improved diet, but frequently as time goes along the patient may find they can’t achieve that look they formerly had. The prepregnancy physique simply won’t return. If you find this to be the case, you are a likely candidate for tummy tuck.

If you are considering an abdominoplasty which is commonly known as a tummy tuck you should seek an experienced, qualified plastic surgeon, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery as initial steps toward a successful outcome.

A tummy tuck surgery in Plano is a two-hour operation which removes excessive skin and fat from the lower abdomen and resurfaces it entirely with the upper abdominal skin. Also, the stomach muscles are tightened with a double layer of sutures the entire length of the abdomen. This is what distinguishes a tummy tuck from simply exercising. During pregnancy the muscles of the abdomen are stretched apart and all of the crunches in the world won’t restore their proper anatomical position. A tummy tuck, however, does do this.

It is not uncommon to be able to identify women around a swimming pool who have had children by the laxity of the abdominal muscles. This protrusion of the lower abdomen is very common after pregnancy, and this is where the tummy tuck truly delights women by restoring that flat tummy.

A majority of Dallas tummy tucks are performed with other procedures such as liposuction or breast enhancement (either enlargement or lifting or both) as part of a “mommy makeover” to restore the woman’s previous appearance.

Dr. Robert Wilcox is a double board certified plastic surgeon and the founder and director of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center of Texas. He commented, “There are few rewards in life as fulfilling and joyful as having children. Pregnancy, however, does take a huge toll on a woman’s body. The once taut abdominal contour can protrude after childbirth because of the permanently stretched skin and abdominal muscles. Breasts which were once youthful and full often begin to sag and lose volume. The truth is that women try to counteract these changes with exercises, but it is important to recognize that you can’t exercise skin. You can only exercise muscles. The truth is it is usually impossible to restore the previous appearance without surgical correction. Pregnancy and/or massive weight loss change the abdominal muscles, stretch the skin, and produce stretch marks that only surgery can correct.”

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