Posts

Medical Benefits of a Tummy Tuck

Tummy Tuck Medical Benefits: More than a Flat Stomach!

A Tummy Tuck – technically called an “abdominoplasty” – is a common plastic surgery procedure that can tighten the abdominal muscles and remove loose skin, to give a flattened and toned appearance. Women often turn seek out a tummy tuck following pregnancy and childbearing to restore their pre-pregnancy figures. Men and women can also benefit from the procedure if they’ve lost a significant amount of weight, leaving loose skin in the stomach area.

While most people may think tummy tucks are only for cosmetic purposes, that’s not the case says Oakland County plastic surgeon Dr. Ali. “There are wonderful cosmetic benefits to a tummy tuck procedure for sure,” says Dr. Ali. “But there are also important medical benefits that can often be overlooked. And that might be why the procedure saw an 87% increase between 2000 and 2018.”

In this article we discuss three medical benefits of a tummy tuck procedure, in addition to achieving a flatter abs.

Medical Benefits of a Tummy Tuck:

Tummy Tuck Improves Posture

Abdominal muscles (“abs”) can become distended after extreme weight loss or multiple pregnancies. And weakened abdominal muscles not only create a “paunchy” look but also are associated with poor posture. Your ab muscle are part and parcel of the system that help your body stand upright.

Diet and exercise alone simply will never be enough to improve the appearance of stretched  abdominal muscles. If the muscles have been stretched out of shape, “splayed” or separated, they will need to be repaired surgically. During the tummy tuck procedure, the surgeon can actually tighten the abdominal muscles while removing excess skin and fat.

During the tummy tuck surgery the rectus abdominus muscles are then tightened by suturing the separated muscles together.

In addition to giving a more flattened and toned appearance, when the abdominal muscles are tightened, patients may find their posture improves because their spine is better supported.

Tummy Tuck Improves Core

If you have been exercising in an attempt to improve your abdominal area, you have no doubt heard all about the importance of “core” strength.

When the core of your body is weak, your body is less stable. Additionally, poor core strength results in undo gravitational stress on your limbs and joints. All of this can lead to sore calves, aching hips, shoulders & knees, and plantar or achilles problems. 

Tightening your core will improve balance, enhance athletic performance, help reduce aches & pains, and assist in averting the possibility of injury. 

Tummy Tuck Hernia Correction

Significant weight loss or surgeries, such as a C-section, can lead to a condition called a ventral hernia. This type of hernia occurs when the intestine or abdominal tissue pops through the abdominal wall and forms a sack. In addition to being painful, these hernias create visible bulges.

Weakened abdominal muscles are often the cause of ventral hernias. And once you have had a ventral hernia, you may be more susceptible to it reoccurring. An abdominoplasty (“tummy tuck”) in during a hernia repair procedure can strengthen the abdominal wall and prevent a hernia from recurring.

“There are tremendous benefits to abdominoplasty,” says Oakland County tummy tuck surgeon Dr. Ali. “It is not meant to be a weight loss procedure, but rather to help patients who are at or near their ideal weight achieve strengthened abdominal muscles and a flattened, toned look.”

Oakland County’s Best Tummy Tuck Surgeon

Oakland County board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali has helped hundreds of women and men obtain the firm flat abdomen they have always desired with a Tummy Tuck. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ali, and see if a Tummy Tuck procedure is right for your unique situation.

Call Dr. Ali for a Tummy Tuck Consultation: 248-335-7200

 

Who Qualifies for a Tummy Tuck?

A “Tummy Tuck”, or Abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure undertaken to remove excess loose skin or fatty deposits in the abdominal area. This procedure is not a substitute for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a stable and reasonable weight. It is usually undergone by individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight, who have had bariatric surgery, or who have had pregnancies that have stretched the muscles of the abdomen.

Under general anesthesia, a highly trained, skilled plastic surgeon removes loose or sagging skin and excess fat deposits from the abdominal area using incisions and strategic liposuction. Extensive experience is needed to re-sculpt the area. Loose muscles are also tightened during the surgery, all of which contributes to a firmer, more sleek profile.

Individual expectations are evaluated beforehand, as well as the patient’s medical history and current health status. Any cosmetic procedure is a highly individualized decision, and the expectations for the outcome must be realistic. Patients must insure that they are pursuing the procedure for their own personal reasons, and are not attempting to live up to some perceived ideal body image or to someone else’s expectations. Additionally, it is imperative that the patient maintain the same body weight into the future, as weight gain or additional pregnancies may reverse or diminish the results of the procedure.

Dr. Ali is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which is recognized by the American Board of Plastic Surgery – the highest governing board in plastic surgery. He is committed to individualized consultation and treatment for each patient, to assure the best outcome from every procedure he performs. Contact Dr. Ali today for your personalized consultation to determine if a Tummy Tuck is right for you.