True or False: Tummy Tuck Surgery
I take my responsibility for educating my patients about cosmetic surgery incredibly seriously. With so many procedure options and techniques available today, the sheer amount of information can be overwhelming for many people. In the case of tummy tuck surgery, there is a lot that prospective patients will have to understand and decide on before any surgery can take place. This is why I’m happy to take some time today to clarify some true and false statements about tummy tuck surgery.
Statement #1: Men Can Also Undergo Tummy Tuck Surgery
This is true. A tummy tuck is a versatile body contouring procedure that is designed to help patients, regardless of their gender. In my office, I can utilize specialized techniques for male tummy tuck patients to help guys by removing excess skin and repairing the abdominal wall without sacrificing any of the patient’s more masculine features.
Statement #2: A Tummy Tuck Will Help Me Lose Weight
This is false. The excess skin, tissue, and fat removed during a tummy tuck is intended to help recontour the abdominal area, not serve as a method for weight loss. I advise my patients to reach their goal weight before undergoing a tummy tuck, as weight loss is not a result that should be counted on. In fact, many people use tummy tuck surgery to help remove loose, hanging skin after they have already lost a significant amount of weight. This is known as post-bariatric (or post-weight loss) surgery.
Statement #3: Women Can Undergo a Tummy Tuck After Having a C-Section
This is true. Tummy tuck surgery is often used to help women restore their pre-baby bodies following pregnancy and childbirth. Undergoing a tummy tuck after a C-section can help trim the abdominal area, repair separated muscles in the abdominal wall that create the look of a stomach pooch, and even help hide scars left from the C-section. However, it’s important for patients to wait until their bodies have fully recovered from their pregnancy and delivery before pursuing a tummy tuck.
My goal when presenting these statements is to help my patients better understand their procedure and feel more comfortable heading into their pre-surgery consultation appointment. Like always, knowledge is powerful in this scenario. For more information or if you would like to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. You can also follow along with me on Facebook for additional plastic surgery tips, news, and much more.