One of my favorite procedures to perform is abdominoplasty—which most people know as a tummy tuck—because the results are so transformational. Patients who want a tummy tuck at our Richmond, VA, practice are often moms who are self-conscious about their bodies even though they work out regularly and watch what they eat.
Unfortunately, exercise and dieting won’t shrink excess abdominal skin. A tummy tuck creates a flatter stomach by removing skin but offers several other benefits that often come as a surprise to many patients.
What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?
Enhanced self-esteem often comes from getting results like the ones you can see in these before-and-after photos. What are the additional benefits of a tummy tuck? They include:
Repairing diastasis recti
Pregnancy often stretches and separates the diastasis recti — the left and right stomach muscles — and causes a belly pooch that can make a woman look pregnant. During a tummy tuck, I’m able to tighten these muscles, which minimizes the unwanted pooch.
Fat removal
Liposuction is often combined with tummy tuck surgery to ensure natural-looking contours. Liposuction removes localized fat pockets that persist despite exercise and consuming a nutritious diet.
Removing stretch marks or scars
A tummy tuck can help women with pregnancy-related stretch marks or cesarean scars because they’re usually located on the skin that’s removed during surgery.
Relief from hernias
Abdominal hernias refer to a condition where the internal organs bulge through a tear in the muscle. Even though they typically don’t pose any danger to your health, they can be uncomfortable and even painful. In some cases, they can cause complications. A tummy tuck can often be combined with hernia repair. The type, size, location, and the number of hernias present will determine whether or not a tummy tuck will offer relief.
Minimize urinary incontinence and reduce back pain
A study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery examined tummy tuck procedures that included repairing diastasis recti muscles. It found that these procedures significantly improved low back pain and urinary incontinence.
Abdominoplasty is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed in the U.S., typically ranking among the top 5 cosmetic surgeries performed every year. Because many women develop back pain and/or urinary incontinence after having children, these added benefits are especially important.
Greater body contouring as part of a Mommy Makeover
Tummy tuck patients also often choose to combine the procedure with breast augmentation or breast lift as part of a Mommy Makeover procedure. Surgery is the only way to restore volume to breasts deflated after having children or lift sagging breasts.
It’s always important to find the best plastic surgeon for your procedure in Richmond, VA. If you’re considering tummy tuck surgery, you can contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call our office at (804) 267-6009 to schedule an appointment.