Abdominoplasty: Is It Right For You?

When someone mentions abdominoplasty, at first, you might be a little confused. It sounds like it has to do with the abdomen, but what does it entail? Another way to describe the procedure is a tummy tuck. Both men and women looking to get a sleeker profile turn to cosmetic surgeons to make this a possibility.

Weight Loss

Surgeons look for patients who have excess skin and fat that they would like to have removed in and around their abdomen. If you have lost a considerable amount of weight, you may have noticed some sagging of the skin around your belly. An abdominoplasty makes it possible for you to show off you results in a more flattering way.

If you are still working though the weight loss process, you may want to hold off making this decision. Most people and their surgeons don't want to have to go in and perform the same operation twice. Wait until you feel that you are the right weight and then proceed with finding out what your options are.

Pregnancy

Women who have experienced the miracle of childbirth have also seen the effects that it takes on their bodies. After the baby is born and some of the extra weight is lost, this abdominal area rarely goes back to the way it used to look. In fact, with multiple children, the effects can intensify. An abdominoplasty could be the solution that you are looking for. However, it is important to take on this procedure only if you are not planning to get pregnant again.

Overall Health

You don't want to be struggling with other health issues when you go in for an abdominoplasty. When you are healthy, you give your body the time and energy to completely focus on healing and regaining movement and motion in the area. If you are already sick or struggling with a life threatening disease, you will want to put this off and wait until you body can handle the strain of sedation and operation.

Physicians perform a series of blood tests to determine health and look for any type of risk factors that would prevent them with continuing with the treatment. Because each person is different, it is important to talk to your doctor. He will ask a series of questions (or have you fill out paperwork) to look into your lifestyle, your health history, and anything that throws a red flag to current or future complications with the procedure.

If you aren't sure whether or not an abdominoplasty is right for you, find a local cosmetic surgeon and set up and appointment. You can talk about the reasons that you are interested in a tummy tuck and get a more clear picture of whether or not you are a good candidate. The more information that you get from the physician and the more information that you share, the more accurate your assessment of the situation and risks will be.