Should You Lose Weight Before Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Ideally, patients should be at their target weight but have unwanted pockets of sagging skin or unwanted fat in areas of the abdomen that simply do not respond to weight loss or exercise. Many things can give you a stomach pooch, such as pregnancy, aging, and weight loss. Luckily, a tummy tuck can give you a flat stomach, so you can again proudly wear a two-piece bikini, tight jeans, and other fashions with confidence.

If you would like to learn more about a tummy tuck, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, AZ. He will meet with you to discuss what you can expect from abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). Every tummy tuck that Dr. Rao performs is fully customized to help meet each patient’s individual needs and goals. The surgical procedure can remove sagging skin and unwanted fat, and provide a well-defined physique. A tummy tuck can give you a flat tummy while tightening your stomach muscles.

How does a tummy tuck help with sagging skin?

If you have excess sagging skin and pockets of fat in your midsection, you probably feel frustrated. This area is hard to tone with exercise. And no matter how much you diet, your tummy will probably not get flatter. A tummy tuck can dramatically improve the appearance of your stomach, resulting in a more toned middle.

A tummy tuck is not just for women. Men also benefit from undergoing the procedure if they have recently lost weight and are battling sagging skin. The tummy tuck can remove the bulges while tightening the loose skin for an improved appearance.

Are you wondering if you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck? A tummy tuck may be the right choice if you fit the following criteria:

• Suffer from sagging skin that does not go away with diet or exercise
• Are at a target body weight
• Have realistic expectations

Dr. Rao will perform a complete physical evaluation to determine if tummy tuck surgery is the right choice for your needs.

Tummy tuck surgery

Surgeons can carry out a multitude of surgical tummy tuck techniques. Dr. Rao will determine which tummy tuck procedure can help provide you with the results you seek. He will go over the surgery plan with you, so you’ll know what to expect on surgery day and afterward.

All tummy tuck surgeries carried out by Dr. Rao are performed using general anesthesia. He will typically make a horizontal incision on your lower abdomen right above the pubic area. The incision is placed low so that it is hidden when you wear clothing. A modified tummy tuck might use a shorter incision or, in some cases, a longer one. After making the incision, the abdominal muscles undergo tightening. Liposuction can also give the area greater contouring, so you have a slimmer, flatter tummy.

Following tummy tuck surgery, you’ll need to rest, so your body has time to heal. Most patients require up to three weeks to recover, and most will miss at least two weeks of work during the process. However, if you have a physically demanding job, you might need additional recovery time. You can start to walk lightly following the procedure if you feel able. Walking helps prevent the formation of blood clots, but it might take several days before you are capable of walking upright.

Schedule a tummy tuck consultation in Tucson, AZ

If you are at your ideal target weight and would like to learn more about tightening your stomach with a tummy tuck, schedule a consultation with Dr. Arun Rao at Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, AZ. He will sit down with you to discuss the procedure so you can determine if a tummy tuck is an ideal choice for your needs. Contact us today to learn more.