Who Is a Good Candidate for Abdominoplasty?

Even with a healthy diet and regular exercise, certain changes in the abdomen can be difficult or impossible to correct on your own. Loose or stretched skin, stubborn pockets of fat, and separated abdominal muscles are especially common after pregnancy or significant weight loss and may leave the midsection looking or feeling different than you'd like. Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, can address these concerns by removing excess skin and fat, and repairing weakened or separated ab muscles for a flatter, firmer contour.

At Ben Schultz, M.D., board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Benjamin D. Schultz performs personalized tummy tuck surgery near Baltimore, MD, based on each patient's anatomy and goals. Generally, a good candidate for tummy tuck is a healthy adult at or near a stable weight who has realistic expectations and isn't planning significant future weight loss or pregnancy. Keep reading to learn more about tummy tuck candidacy and the factors that can help determine whether abdominoplasty is right for you.

What can a tummy tuck fix?

A tummy tuck is designed for abdominal changes that typically don't respond well to weight loss or exercise alone. This makes the procedure particularly useful after pregnancy, significant weight loss, or other changes that leave the abdominal tissues stretched or weakened. Depending on your anatomy, abdominoplasty can address concerns such as:

• Loose or hanging abdominal skin
• Stubborn pockets of excess fat
• Separated abdominal muscles
• A protruding or rounded lower abdomen
• Abdominal stretch marks located on skin that will be removed

Keep in mind that a tummy tuck isn't primarily a weight loss procedure. Instead, it reshapes the abdominal area by addressing excess tissue and, when necessary, repairing the underlying muscles.

Do you need to be at your goal weight before a tummy tuck?

You don't necessarily have to reach a particular number on the scale before having abdominoplasty, but being at or near a healthy, stable weight is generally recommended. Losing a significant amount of weight after surgery can create additional loose skin and alter the contours achieved through your tummy tuck. Likewise, substantial weight gain after tummy tuck surgery can stretch the remaining skin and abdominal tissues. Dr. Schultz considers your overall health, weight stability, anatomy, and goals when determining whether you're ready for surgery or whether it may be beneficial to wait.

Should you wait to have a tummy tuck after pregnancy?

If you're planning to become pregnant in the future, you may be advised to postpone a tummy tuck until you're finished having children. Pregnancy after a tummy tuck is possible, but the abdomen will naturally expand to accommodate a growing baby, potentially stretching the skin and separating repaired muscles again. Waiting until your family is complete can help preserve your surgical results and reduce the likelihood that you'll want a revision later. For women who have finished having children, a tummy tuck, particularly as part of a broader mommy makeover, can address some of the lasting abdominal changes that remain long after pregnancy and childbirth.

What happens during tummy tuck surgery?

Abdominoplasty is customized according to how much excess skin and fat you have and whether the abdominal muscles require repair. During surgery, Dr. Schultz makes an incision along the lower abdomen, typically positioned so it can be concealed beneath underwear or swimwear. Excess skin and fat are removed, and weakened or separated abdominal muscles can be tightened when appropriate.

The remaining skin is then repositioned to create a smoother, firmer abdominal contour. Because tummy tuck surgery and recovery vary with the extent of correction performed, Dr. Schultz will discuss your individualized surgical plan and what to expect afterward during your consultation.

How long do tummy tuck results last?

Tummy tuck results can be long-lasting because the excess skin and fat removed during surgery do not simply grow back. However, your body will continue to change naturally over time. Aging, weight fluctuations, and future pregnancy can all affect the appearance of your abdomen after surgery. Again, maintaining a relatively stable weight and healthy lifestyle can help preserve your slimmer, more defined contours for many years. Your results will continue to evolve during the months after surgery as swelling resolves and your tissues settle into their new shape, ultimately leading to the slimmer, smoother, more natural contours you can feel confident in.

Leave stubborn abdominal changes behind with a tummy tuck in Baltimore, MD

If loose skin, separated abdominal muscles, or other changes are keeping you from achieving the midsection you want, abdominoplasty may offer a solution when diet and exercise have taken you as far as they can. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Benjamin D. Schultz can evaluate your abdomen, discuss your goals, and determine whether you're a good candidate for surgery. If you live near Baltimore, MD, contact us to schedule a consultation in Lutherville, MD to learn how a personalized tummy tuck can help you achieve a flatter, firmer abdominal contour.