A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a popular body contouring procedure for both women and men that removes excess skin and tightens the abdominal area to create a smoother, more toned appearance. While this procedure can be very effective for many people, it’s not always the right fit for everyone.
To help you better understand whether or not a tummy tuck could be right for you, this guide covers some common reasons why a patient might be disqualified from tummy tuck surgery.
Reasons You Could be Disqualified from Tummy Tuck Surgery
There are several key factors that can make someone ineligible for a tummy tuck. These include both medical and lifestyle concerns, as well as future plans that could affect the results of the surgery.
- You’re not finished having children. Pregnancy can significantly stretch abdominal muscles and skin, potentially reversing your tummy tuck results. For this reason, our plastic surgeons recommend you wait to get a tummy tuck until you have completed your family.
- You still have a big weight loss goal. A tummy tuck isn’t a weight loss procedure, and losing significantly more weight afterwards could result in more excess skin that would need to be tightened. Thus, it is best to get as close to your target weight as you can before moving forward with an abdominoplasty.
- You have underlying health conditions. Some medical conditions such as certain heart conditions, bleeding disorders, high blood pressure or uncontrolled diabetes can increase surgical risks.
- You smoke and are unwilling to quit. Tobacco use is well-documented to increase the risk of complications during and after surgery. For this reason, your surgeon will ask that you stop smoking for several weeks before and after plastic surgery in order to be a good candidate.
- You have unrealistic expectations about the procedure. It is important to understand the benefits and limitations of a procedure before moving forward. While a tummy tuck can achieve excellent body contouring results, it isn’t a stand-in for weight loss and healthy lifestyle habits.
What Is the Weight Requirement for a Tummy Tuck?
While there is no exact weight requirement for a tummy tuck, our plastic surgeons recommend you be within 10 to 15 pounds of your target weight, and are able to consistently maintain that weight to see the best results and minimize the risk of complications.
Am I a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
Many factors go into determining someone’s candidacy for a tummy tuck or other plastic surgery procedures. The best way to find out if abdominoplasty could be right for you is to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced plastic surgeons to discuss your specific needs. They will evaluate your health, medical history, and aesthetic goals to determine if you could see the results you’re looking for with a tummy tuck.
To get started, give our office a call at 916-983-9895 or conveniently get in touch with us online.
