Surgical Options: A Tummy Tuck Can Take 

the Dread out of Swimsuit Season

Warm weather means bathing suit season is not far behind. For many women the dread of trying on a swimsuit takes much of the fun from this season. If you prefer to keep your midsection hidden and the lighter spring/summer fashions are a cause for anxiety, consider a tummy tuck to cure the angst of this spring wardrobe rite.

It’s very common as we age for our abdomens to become loose, saggy or protrude. Many women with normal body weights find their stomachs are out of proportion. Exercise and weight control can help achieve a flatter, more toned midsection, but often they aren’t enough to fix what pregnancy, weight fluctuations and aging do to our abdomens. For all of these reasons, abdominoplasty, better known as a tummy tuck, is among the most requested surgical procedures I perform.

A tummy tuck involves tightening the abdominal skin and underlying muscle wall during a surgery which typically lasts about three hours. In most cases, the surgery can be done as an outpatient procedure but every tummy tuck is slightly different based on each patient’s unique body and needs. However, all patients will need to plan for a recovery time of approximately six weeks. The first three weeks after surgery include restrictions on lifting, exercise and housework; for the following three weeks, patients can resume light activity but must still limit anything strenuous. Planning ahead of the surgery is important to allow for adequate recovery and needed time off work and home duties.

If you’re considering having a tummy tuck, it’s best if you are in overall good health, not planning to have additional children, and close to your ideal body weight. The surgery will give you a very noticeable, smoother, slimmer contour. It will also produce a scar across your lower abdomen that may fade with time but will be permanent. When I consult with patients considering a tummy tuck, we talk about their current health, expectations of the surgery, and the likely outcomes of the procedure.

The typically dramatic results are among the reasons this surgery is such a popular cosmetic procedure. If you’d like to learn more about it and whether you’re a good tummy tuck candidate, please call my office for a personal consultation.