Tummy Tuck: Getting The Most From Your Weight Loss

Life isn’t always fair. How often have we heard that said? Either to you or by you. The saying covers quite the spectrum, too. As adults, it’s something we know all too well. One example you might be dealing with yourself is how uncooperative our bodies can be after a dramatic weight loss. You put in the work, the exercise and the sweat. You changed your diet and stepped it up in the healthy eating department. Or maybe you opted for a procedure to enable you to drop a significant amount of weight. In any case, you dropped the weight. And how does your body repay you? With a collection of loose, saggy skin around your stomach that not only serves as an unpleasant, constant reminder of your former excess weight, but poses a real health risk. In this kind of situation, a tummy tuck could make a lot of sense.

A tummy tuck procedure after dramatic weight loss falls under the term body contouring. It's still a relatively new concept, and as recently as 2011, a study suggested the majority of people who would make good candidates for a body contouring tummy tuck didn't really have any idea such an option even existed. It's important to know that, yes, a tummy tuck procedure after dramatic weight loss is an option. It's also important to know the benefits of the procedure aren't just cosmetic.

Health risks of saggy skin -- Loose, saggy skin isn't just unpleasant to look at. It also can limit mobility and cause both hygiene and medical problems. If that loose, saggy skin is chronically rubbing skin-on-skin, that contact can result in rashes and sores and, eventually, infection.

Self-image effects of saggy skin -- Life isn't fair certainly plays in here. After dropping a significant amount of weight, it’s not unreasonable to want to feel good about the changes when you look at the mirror or get dressed in the morning. Your post-weight loss body should have you feeling positive about your self-image, but that can be tough when there’s excess saggy skin making it tough to wear certain clothes or even enjoy your reflection in the mirror.

If you find yourself in just such a situation, know that that saggy skin doesn't necessarily have to be part of your body forever. A tummy tuck, while it is not a decision to be made lightly, will improve the appearance and feel of your abdomen. Every situation is different and every body is unique, but if you're at a point where your new weight is steady, you're in good health and are eating relatively healthy, you likely are a very good candidate for the procedure.

Your candidacy for a tummy tuck, realistic expectations for you and your body with the procedure, and any other concerns and questions you have can be answered before you ever have to make a decision one way or the other, too. Our cosmetic surgeons at GLOW Surgical Arts surgical offices in Redwood City will walk you through every aspect of the procedure during a free, no-obligation consultation. Should you decide to go forward, you can take comfort in knowing that we do everything we can to make the tummy tuck procedure as easy on you and as effective as possible.

Traditional tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) require going under, eight or more weeks of recovery and significant risks. At GLOW, we do tummy tucks with a combination of liposuction and careful skin excision. This allows us to avoid the need to put patients under, reduces risk of complications and shortens the recovery time as well. You should be able to return to work within a week and return to some exercise after two weeks. And your surgeon will make every effort to ensure that any scar you have can be easily covered by a swimsuit.

Life isn't always fair. Being stuck with loose, saggy skin around your stomach after dropping a lot of weight certainly doesn't seem fair. On the other hand, there's a solution to that problem. It's your body and your decision, but if you'd like to at least explore the possibility of a tummy tuck and what it might do for your body and your mind, we're happy to talk to you about your options. Contact us today.