Are You a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is the removal of excess fat and skin around your abdomen. For the right patient, a tummy tuck can lead to a tighter, slimmer midsection. To ensure the best results and a low risk of complications, Dr. Suzanne Yee will first determine whether you are a good tummy tuck candidate. During a consultation at her Little Rock, AR, plastic surgery practice, Dr. Yee will evaluate your goals and overall health to determine if a tummy tuck is right for you.

Reasons Why You Might Need a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck might be right for you if you have unwanted excess skin or fat tissue around your abdomen for any of the following reasons:

Aging

Aging can lead to unwanted changes in your physique and loss of skin elasticity. During a tummy tuck, Dr. Yee can remove excess tissue and tighten the skin.

Weight Loss

Congratulations! You finally met your weight loss goals. Abdominoplasty might be right for you if you want to get rid of extra skin, stretch marks, and any remaining fat on your abdomen.

Pregnancy

Loose skin and stretch marks are common side effects of carrying your little miracles. If you are finished with having children, a tummy tuck may be a way to help repair any pregnancy-related concerns. Additionally, if you are embarrassed by your C-section scar, a tummy tuck could help. Dr. Yee might be able to correct your scar or C-section pouch during a tummy tuck.

Recommendations for Tummy Tuck Candidates

In order to get the best results from a tummy tuck, you should be:

Close to Your Goal Weight

Five to 10 pounds of weight gain and weight loss are typically healthy and normal for most people. The best tummy tuck candidates are within 30 pounds of their goal weight.

If you plan on losing more than 30 pounds, it may be best to hold off on a tummy tuck until you reach your ideal weight. That much weight loss can lead to more sagging skin. This will put you back at square one and undo the work of the previous tummy tuck.

Gaining weight can also reverse the results of a tummy tuck. Weight gain can lead to an increase of stomach fat, stretch marks, and stretched skin. If you gain a lot of weight after a tummy tuck, you might need retreatment to reach your desired results again.

In Good Overall Health

In order to undergo any surgery, you will need to be in good overall health. A well-balanced diet and general healthy habits will help you heal after surgery. Before scheduling your surgery, Dr. Yee will ensure that you are in good overall health and that you are free of any preexisting health conditions (such as heart disease or diabetes) that could complicate your surgery or healing.

Not Having More Children

Over nine months, a growing baby in the mother’s womb expands the belly area exponentially. This rapid growth will cause the previously tucked skin to stretch out again.

Not Smoking or Vaping

Smoking can halt the healing process. Oxygen provides energy during cell rehabilitation. Cigarette smoke chokes oxygen that our cells need and prevents it from moving from cell to cell. Also, smoking can cause platelets in the blood to be abnormally sticky, so that they clump together. This leads to excessive clotting.

E-cigarettes are not a safe alternative to smoking. Research shows that vaping reduces 20 percent of the oxygen levels in the blood.

If you are considering a tummy tuck, you should plan on quitting cigarettes and e-cigarettes weeks before and after the tummy tuck.

Find Out If You Are a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck

If you’re interested in a tummy tuck, Dr. Yee can evaluate your personal goals and review your health history to ensure that you are a good candidate. Call (501) 222-8758 or message our Little Rock, AR, plastic surgery practice to book a consultation with Dr. Yee.