Am I a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that can trim away loose skin and eliminate stubborn fat for a smoother, more contoured midsection. At Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics, Dr. Smith offers a minimally-invasive tummy tuck technique called the Avelar tummy tuck, which provides superior results with less discomfort and downtime than the traditional procedure. While a tummy tuck offers dramatic results for the right patient, is it the right choice for you? To decide if this surgery is a good option for your needs and aesthetic goals, consider these factors.

Where is your unwanted bulge located?

If your primary concern is in the lower portion of your abdomen, the Avelar tummy tuck is tailored to you. This procedure focuses on the area of the midsection below the belly button, removing excess skin and fat without the need to reposition the navel and minimizing post-operative scarring. Dr. Smith adds liposuction to the treatment to further sculpt the tummy and create a tighter, flatter appearance.

Are you planning to have more children?

Many women find that after they have had their children, their abdominal muscles do not bounce back as readily as they hoped. At the same time, loose skin and lingering fat deposits can further interfere with their ideal body contour. This is an excellent time to consider a tummy tuck, to restore what you lost throughout those nine months of body changes. However, if you are planning on having more children, it is probably best to wait on your procedure. While pregnancy is safe after this surgery, it will alter your results, necessitating a revision procedure in many cases.

Do you want to lose a significant amount of weight?

In many cases, patients that have dropped excess pounds seek a tummy tuck to put the finishing touches on their weight loss efforts. This surgery can be effective in removing any stubborn areas of fat that remain while tightening up the loose skin for a smoother contour. For those that want to lose a significant amount of weight, it is probably best to wait for the tummy tuck to ensure subsequent weight fluctuations do not interfere with your new body profile.

Are you willing to accept a scar after your surgery?

A tummy tuck is a surgery, which means you will have an incision during your procedure and scarring afterward. One of the benefits of the less invasive Avelar tummy tuck is that it requires a much smaller incision than the traditional technique. Dr. Smith will place your incision within your panty line, so your scar will be safely hidden under clothing as well. While it takes many months for the scar to heal completely, you should be left with just a single white line as a visible reminder of your procedure.

Can you take time off to recover from your procedure?

Although the Avelar tummy tuck does not involve as much downtime as a full tuck procedure, you will need some time after surgery to rest and recuperate. There is some discomfort immediately following the operation, which is usually worst during the first two to three days. Pain medication will help to relieve your soreness during that time, but you won’t likely feel like doing much at the beginning of your recovery process. Most of our patients are back to regular activities within five to seven days and strenuous exercise within a few weeks.

Are you prepared to adhere to a healthy lifestyle after surgery?

The Avelar tummy tuck, combined with Tickle Lipo, creates a smoother midsection that makes your clothes fit more comfortably and gives you more confidence in your appearance overall. In order to ensure your results last over the long-term, you will need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep your weight in check. Most patients find they are motivated to follow positive steps after surgery because they are so happy with their new body contour. It is a commitment you will need to make to enjoy the greatest value and the longest-lasting results from your tummy tuck procedure.

The mini tummy tuck or Avelar tummy tuck may be the perfect solution for patients that want to trim away small areas of fat and redundant skin to create a smoother, sleeker body profile. If you would like to know whether this tummy tuck technique is right for you, now is the time to contact Sapphire Advanced Aesthetics at 952-460-1970.