Have you recently reached a major weight loss milestone? Maybe you’re having some trouble getting your pre-baby body back after having kids. Whatever your reasons are for considering a tummy tuck, this guide can help you figure out if this procedure could be right for you. Generally speaking, these five characteristics indicate that you may be a good candidate for a drain-free tummy tuck.
1. You Have Loose Skin or Separated Muscle Tissue
A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that’s able to remove and tighten excess skin in your abdominal area, as well as repair separated abdominal muscle tissue. A condition called diastasis recti sometimes occurs after massive weight loss or pregnancy. It causes the two sides of your abdominal muscles to separate, leaving a gap in the middle. This can create an unwanted “belly pooch” that’s impossible to get rid of through exercise alone.
Tummy tucks often include liposuction as well, which removes small pockets of stubborn fat that don’t fully respond to diet and exercise.
2. You’re Close to Your Target Weight
The drain-free tummy tuck technique streamlines your recovery process by eliminating the need for post-surgical drains.
While a tummy tuck and liposuction combination can yield excellent results, they are not meant to serve as weight loss tools. In order to see optimal results and minimize surgical risks, it’s generally recommended that you reach a BMI of 30 or lower before moving forward with cosmetic surgery.
If you’re currently working to reach your weight loss goals, you can still schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your treatment timeline and how you can best prepare for your tummy tuck.
3. You’ve Completed Your Family
Although not a total deal breaker, completing your family before getting a tummy tuck is ideal. If you choose to go ahead with your body contouring procedure before you’ve finished having kids, you may need a revision surgery shortly down the road.
However, if plans change and you do end up welcoming another bundle of joy after you’ve already had your tummy tuck, it’s not the end of the world. Talk to your plastic surgeon once you’ve recovered and feel ready to discuss touch-ups or a revision.
4. You Don’t Smoke
Smoking not only increases surgical risks during your abdominoplasty, but it can also hinder your body’s healing process and interfere with your results. For these reasons, most plastic surgeons ask that you stop smoking several weeks before and after your procedure. If you don’t smoke at all, even better.
You will also need to be in good general health, which your plastic surgeon can assess during a physical exam at your consult and by looking at your medical history.
5. You Have Realistic Expectations
It’s important to remember that while a drain-free tummy tuck can help you achieve your fitness goals, it does have its limitations. Getting and maintaining a flat stomach does require some elbow grease — i.e. making healthy lifestyle choices like eating right, getting regular exercise and getting enough sleep.
At your tummy tuck consultation, explain your body contouring goals to your plastic surgeon and ask if he or she feels that those goals are attainable with the procedure you’ve chosen. Then, after your tummy tuck, keep up with your same great eating and exercise habits to ensure long-lasting results.
Dr. Scot Martin concentrates on breast enhancement and body contouring at his practice in Las Cruces, New Mexico. A nationally recognized plastic surgeon, Dr. Martin is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
He looks forward to meeting you and helping you become the best version of yourself possible.
