4 Important Signs You're A Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery that removes excess skin and tightens the muscles in the abdominal area, which makes the stomach look flatter and more toned. This procedure is one of the most popular plastic surgeries and has a very high satisfaction rate, but there are some requirements you must meet to be a candidate. Here are four qualities of the best tummy tuck candidates:

1. Loose Skin From Weight Loss or Pregnancy

Candidates for a tummy tuck should have loose skin on their abdomen after losing weight or after pregnancy. Some people naturally have loose skin that they want to tighten up, but most candidates have experienced weight gain and loss that has left their skin loose or sagging.

A tummy tuck can also target stubborn pockets of fat on your abdomen, but the main goal of the surgery is to remove excess skin. You may have some extra fat that you want to get rid of, but your primary goal should be to tighten up your skin. Those who are more concerned about excess fat than skin may be better candidates for liposuction than tummy tuck.

To be a candidate for a tummy tuck, you should be confident that your weight will remain stable, and you should be within 15 to 20 pounds of your ideal weight. Losing more than 20 pounds after your surgery will leave you with more loose skin, which will reduce the results of the tummy tuck. To make sure your weight will remain stable, your doctor may require that you have maintained your current weight for at least six months before having surgery.

Candidates also shouldn’t be planning on becoming pregnant in the future. A tummy tuck tightens the muscles in your abdomen, but pregnancy can cause them to split apart again and make your stomach look less toned.

2. Good Overall Health

The best tummy tuck candidates are in good overall health and can handle a major surgery. Doctors don’t usually recommend nonessential surgeries for people who aren’t in good health because the risk of complications may outweigh the benefits of the procedure.

A tummy tuck requires general anesthesia, so your heart and lungs must be healthy. You shouldn’t have any medical conditions that increase your risk of complications during or after the surgery. Some autoimmune disorders and connective tissue disorders affect your body’s healing process, so these conditions may disqualify you from the surgery.

During your consultation, you and your surgeon will go over your medical history, current medications, and allergies. Your surgeon will also give you a physical exam to make sure you’re a good candidate.

Ideal candidates for tummy tuck and most other cosmetic surgeries are nonsmokers. If you are a smoker, you should be able to quit several weeks or months before the procedure. Smoking can affect your body’s healing and can cause complications during the surgery.

3. Realistic Expectations

The best candidates for a tummy tuck have realistic goals and expectations for the surgery. A tummy tuck can provide dramatic results and can make you feel much more confident in your appearance, but it won’t be a life-changing surgery. Your body will look better, but it will still be your body. During your consultation, your surgeon will make sure that your goals for the surgery are achievable.

It’s also important that candidates have realistic expectations about the surgery itself. You should know what to expect before, during, and after your tummy tuck, and you should understand the potential risks and complications. Your chances of experiencing complications are slim, but you should be mentally and physically prepared anyway.

4. Prepared for Recovery

A tummy tuck is a major surgery that requires internal and external healing, so candidates need to be ready for the recovery period. To be a candidate for a tummy tuck, you have to be able to take at least two weeks off of work. If you work a physically demanding job, you may have to wait three or four weeks to return.

Candidates should be prepared to take time off from their home and social lives, too. You should arrange for childcare for your kids and have a trusted family member or friend stay with you for at least a few days after the surgery. You’ll need help standing up and dressing, and you’ll need someone available to bring you anything you need or drive you back to the hospital in case of complications.

Candidates must be responsible and careful about following their doctor’s directions. Your surgeon will give you instructions for how to care for the surgical site, when to take medications, and how long you should wait before you can shower, have your stitches removed, and resume your daily activities. Not following the post-operative instructions could cause poor healing or less noticeable results, so it’s important that candidates are prepared to take care of themselves.

Dr. Tornambe of Madison Plastic Surgery has been named one of the Best Doctors in New York Magazine. He has over 20 years of experience in private practice, and he is a member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. If you're interested in a tummy tuck in New York, you can learn more about Dr. Tornambe here: https://www.madisonps.com