A belly bulge may seem like a small issue, but for some, it can be a major source of distress, particularly if it hasn’t responded to diet and exercise. For some, it may be the result of heredity, and for others, it could be the aftermath of pregnancy and childbirth. If your abdomen isn’t as flat as you’d like, a tummy tuck at Longwood Plastic Surgery may be the solution you hadn’t yet considered.
*Individual Results May Vary
How Does a Tummy Tuck Work?
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to repair separated abdominal muscles and remove fat and excess skin. First, your LPS surgeon begins by making an incision just above the pubic line to access the muscles and tissues of your abdomen. Abdominal muscles that have separated from the abdominal wall contribute to a protruding belly, but they can be anchored in place and repaired. Next, fat is removed to thin the cushion of tissue above your abdominal muscles, and finally, skin is tightened by removing excess that may have sagged or drooped. Your core is tighter, flatter, and overall, more sculpted.
Benefits of a Tummy Tuck:
Improved Muscle Tone and Posture
Pregnancy and significant weight can distend the muscles of the abdomen, which can weaken them. Low core strength contributes to poor posture. Abdominoplasty tightens muscles, which in turn provide more support for your spine. This can even relieve certain kinds of back pain.
Improved Overall Health
Reducing fat and excess skin in your core can also help prevent the development of other, more serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea. Avoiding these is far easier than trying to reverse them once they begin.
Prevent Hernias
Shoring up your abdominal muscles gives them strength to prevent an umbilical or ventral hernia, which occurs when part of the intestine or abdominal tissues break through the abdominal wall. The correction for such a hernia is similar to the techniques used during abdominoplasty and in some cases if you already have a hernia, it may be repaired at the same time as the abdominoplasty.
Aside from these very measurable benefits, a tummy tuck can improve your self-confidence and well-being and bring you great satisfaction with your physique. Your clothes will fit better, and the results can go a long way toward improving your overall positivity and mood, giving your overall quality of life a boost.
What is the Procedure Like?
We perform abdominoplasties in our top-of-the-line accredited surgical suite on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Every abdominoplasty is personalized to the patient to achieve the greatest success for their desired contours. There are, however, multiple techniques for abdominoplasty.
A full abdominoplasty addresses concerns of the full abdomen, above and below your belly button, which may require repositioning. This treatment takes about 3-5 hours to complete. A partial, or mini abdominoplasty requires only 1-2 hours and focuses on the lower abdomen without needing to move the umbilicus..
Am I a Good Candidate?
Patients who’ve sought a tummy tuck are typically mothers who’ve completed their families and are seeking to restore a pre-pregnancy figure, patients who’ve lost a significant amount of weight and have a final stubborn bulge and excess skin that hasn’t quite bounced back, and patients who’ve had a belly bulge all their life due to genetics. If this sounds familiar, you may be a good candidate for abdominoplasty. A consultation with LPS can help you determine if the treatment is right for you.
“Dear Dr. Morris, I truly cannot thank you enough, not only for your extreme generosity and waving my surgery fees, but for being able to fix something that has been such a huge insecurity of mine for the past 20+ years. My note was a relatively involved/difficult surgery and I am so grateful to you for doing it for me.* “
Take the Next Step
Interested in learning about a tummy tuck? Schedule your consultation with Longwood Plastic Surgery today by calling our Brookline office at (617) 383-6250. We serve the Brookline and Greater Boston area with distinction.