Many of our patients dream of a tight, youthful stomach to show off at the beach on hot summer days. Unfortunately, factors such as pregnancy, weight gain, and genetics can make it hard for some to achieve a contoured tummy. Residents of Boca Raton, Florida, who wish to sculpt a body they can feel comfortable and confident in are invited to a free consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David J. Levens at his Coral Springs office.
What is Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty tightens the muscles of the abdomen and removes excess fat and loose skin. An abdominoplasty enables you to achieve your desired results even when diet and exercise have failed. While abdominoplasty is not recommended to those who are out of shape, often our patients find that loose skin and bulging fat resists their best efforts and most intense workouts.
There are many reasons for patients in Florida to undergo a tummy tuck procedure. Some seek to reduce or eliminate stretch marks, while others want a tighter, flatter, or more youthful-looking abdomen. Other possible benefits of abdominoplasty include:
- Removing excess skin caused by weight gain during pregnancy.
- Loose skin or weak muscles resulting from aging.
- Sagging abdominal skin that results from years of poor posture.
After pregnancy, some women struggle with extra layers of skin around the stomach, flanks, and back. During pregnancy, the uterus and placenta push against the abdominal muscles and stretch out the skin. In addition to physical changes, hormonal fluctuations can make it even more difficult to lose weight after childbirth. Even when weight is lost, there is no guarantee that the skin will regain its elasticity. Often, skin continues to sag and droop despite post-pregnancy weight loss.
In addition, when significant weight loss eliminates fat, skin can loosen and hang downward. Exercise often fails to tighten and tone this excess skin. When excess skin detracts from your newfound confidence, a tummy tuck can tighten the skin and reveal the toned muscles underneath.
Benefits of a Tummy Tuck
The majority of our patients use abdominoplasty to remove fat bulges located above and below the belly button. Also, the surgery also helps to restore the underlying muscles, which can make it easier to tone and define the abdomen after the surgery. While a small scar will result along the pelvic area, it can be easily hidden beneath underwear and bathing suits, and most patients agree that the scar is well worth the stunning results.
Good Candidates for Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty can produce amazing results by removing excess skin and tightening the muscles beneath, but it is not intended to remove large amounts of fat. As a result, the best candidates are those in general good health. Ideal candidates for abdominoplasty include:
- People who have stretched muscles and excess skin caused by poor posture.
- People with loose skin as a result of aging.
- People with excess skin or a sagging abdomen as a result of weight loss.
- Women with stretch marks or sagging skin due to pregnancy.
