What a Tummy Tuck Can and Can’t Do

Tummy tucks are one of the best-known treatments for enhancing the contours of the abdomen, but it does come with its limitations. Below, we’ll explore what a tummy tuck can and can’t do to help you identify the true possibilities of this popular treatment.

It CAN Produce a Flat, Toned Abdomen

The primary benefit of the tummy tuck is producing a flat, toned abdomen. By removing stubborn fat and tightening the abdominal muscles, the transformation achieved in the abdomen can be quite impressive. However, it does have its limits – don’t expect a tummy tuck to deliver six-pack abs! Instead, you can expect a slimmer, flatter and firmer abdomen. With the right exercise and nutrition habits, this can be a great foundation for future improvement!

It CAN’T Prevent Weight Gain

A tummy tuck does produce permanent results, but that doesn’t make you immune to weight gain. Poor diet and exercise habits can quickly lead to weight gain that reverses some of the benefits of your tummy tuck surgery. For this reason, we highly encourage patients to use their tummy tuck procedure as an opportunity to develop and stick to healthy lifestyle habits, which will make your results last as long as possible.

It CAN Remove Excess Skin

In addition to flattening the abdomen, removing extra skin from the stomach is a large benefit of the tummy tuck surgery. Excess skin is often left behind after weight loss or pregnancy, and a tummy tuck can solve that problem. By trimming and tightening this skin, you can a flabby or saggy look in the stomach to achieve a smoother, firmer appearance.

It CAN’T Remove Stretch Marks

As a common component of the mommy makeover procedure, many patients are interested in pursuing a tummy tuck to eliminate stretch marks. Unfortunately, removing all stretch marks is rarely possible. This is because stretch marks are often located throughout the abdominal region, and occur deep within the skin’s tissue. A tummy tuck can only remove stretch marks by trimming away the affected areas of the skin – if stretch marks are widespread, this is not a practical option.

Are you considering a tummy tuck? If so, contact us today to schedule your consultation at Port City Plastic Surgery. We’ll help you figure out how to use a tummy tuck or other techniques to achieve your goals!