A good exercise routine and a well-balanced diet can go a long way for your figure, helping you tone some spots and trim down others. However, there are limits to what these lifestyle changes can do for your body. Loose, sagging skin and outstretched abdominal muscles don’t respond to even the most intense workouts, and that’s where a tummy tuck can come into play.
Our double-board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Melinda Lacerna, has helped many people achieve a better body contour with abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). She has over 15 years of experience in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic procedures and a knack for listening closely to your concerns to reach the best outcome. Dr. Lacerna also includes 360 Liposuction with Vaser Contouring and Renuvion Skin Tightening with all of her tummy tucks to give a more snatched look to the waist and back, which is not commonly offered by other surgeons.
A tummy tuck may be right for you if you have these concerns with your stomach region:
1. Loose, Sagging Skin Tissue
Whether you’ve had children or lost a significant amount of weight, there’s little you can do about the loose skin left over from your larger size. Your skin loses elasticity as you age and can be over-stretched, making it impossible to “snap back” when you shed those extra pounds or have a baby. A tummy tuck removes the sagging skin tissue to provide a tighter body contour. If you have stretch marks in the lower abdomen beneath your belly button, these will most likely be removed during your abdominoplasty.
2. Stubborn Fat Deposits
Exercise and diet can help you reach a healthy size, but some areas hold onto fat deposits no matter how much work you put in. That could be due to your genetics or gender (women are more likely to have stubborn fat in their abdomen, buttocks, hips and thighs). Dr. Lacerna uses liposuction in her tummy tuck procedures to eliminate those pockets of fat for good. Though, the remaining fat cells can expand if you gain weight in the future.
3. Loose Abdominal Muscles or “Diastasis Recti”
During pregnancy or excessive weight gain, the abdominal muscles that run vertically on either side of the center of your stomach can stretch. This can sometimes cause them to separate, creating a visible gap when you tense these muscles. Diastasis recti causes a “pooch” and is unfortunately common in women after pregnancy or obese individuals. The abdominoplasty tightens and strengthens these muscles in the abdominal wall for a smooth, flat stomach.
Schedule Your Tummy Tuck Consultation
Women and men in good shape with loose abdominal skin and stubborn fat are typically excellent candidates for a tummy tuck. Dr. Lacerna will discuss your medical history, medications and lifestyle habits and evaluate your stomach to see if the abdominoplasty is the best route for you. The tummy tuck can be combined with breast surgery or a Brazilian butt lift for a mommy makeover.
Schedule your appointment by calling LA Plastic Surgery & Dermatology and LA Skin Spa in Bradenton, Florida today.
