Just over 125,000 tummy tucks take place every single year, and that makes it one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the country. A tummy tuck might be exactly what you need if you are tired of dealing with excess skin and soft tissue throughout your midsection. Following your abdominoplasty, you could have the firm and toned midsection that you have always wanted, and the results should last for decades as long as you maintain healthy lifestyle habits. 

What Can Be Treated?

Many people never even think about having a tummy tuck because they aren’t sure what this operation treats and what sets it apart from liposuction. During a tummy tuck, the surgeon’s primary goal will be to sculpt the midsection by reducing excess skin and some other forms of soft tissue. Once the excess tissue has been removed, the remaining skin is then repositioned to create a flat and toned appearance. 

After losing a significant amount of weight, an individual might still be unhappy with their body because they have loose skin along the bottom of the abdomen. That cosmetic issue is very common among women who have birthed one or more children as well, and tightening the skin after giving birth is incredibly difficult. This type of tuck is going to restore your confidence by removing the small bulge of skin that is just above the waistline. 

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal abdominoplasty is going to be a relatively healthy adult who has realistic expectations about this procedure. Modern cosmetic operations are very effective, but patients need to realize that a tuck isn’t going to drastically alter one’s appearance. Instead, this procedure will help you take care of that loose skin and extra soft tissue around the midsection that you can’t seem to get rid of. It is also important for patients to be somewhat close to their ideal weight before this operation is carried out. A tummy tuck can be combined with liposuction or another fat reduction operation, but most surgeons suggest that patients are relatively close to a healthy weight. 

You will also need to inform your doctor if you have any medical conditions that could impact the results. Women who plan on having more children should notify the surgeon beforehand as well. Gaining weight or becoming pregnant could have a huge impact on the results of this procedure, and that is why it is so important to schedule an initial consultation with a surgeon who can go over all of that information. 

The Tummy Tuck Procedure

Every case is slightly different, but most tummy tucks follow the same few steps. For extensive changes, the surgeon might suggest a general anesthetic that puts you fully to sleep. Using a local anesthetic with an oral sedative is another option that patients have. Once the anesthetic has been administered, one or more incisions are made along the natural contours of the patient’s lower abdomen. The surgical team will then begin the process of removing and repositioning skin, underlying fat, and fascia tissue. To complete the surgery, the incisions are closed and a compression garment is placed over the treatment site. 

Your Slim and Toned Midsection

Many patients fully recover from this procedure in a matter of weeks, and you should be able to maintain the results for years as long as you continue to exercise, follow a clean diet, and stay at a healthy weight. Abdominoplasty could help you finally sculpt the eye-catching midsection that you have always wanted, and that is going to have a huge impact on your confidence and self-image.