If you are unhappy with the appearance of your tummy and have had no luck trying to correct it with diet and exercise, you may feel like there is nothing you can do to address the issue. Happily, there are options out there that can provide you with the kind of results you have been struggling to achieve. You may be a good candidate for tummy tuck. A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that addresses excess skin and fat around the abdomen. These excess tissues are surgically removed in order to give the stomach a flatter and more toned appearance.

A tummy tuck is also recognized as one of the most effective procedures because it does not just give you the appearance of a tighter tummy. In many cases, the abdominal muscles of the patient have becomes stretched and worn out. This can create the appearance of a permanent tummy bulge. A tummy tuck actually tightens the abdominal muscles to give you a tighter, flatter, more attractive tummy region.

This page contains background information on who makes the best candidate for tummy tuck, but the best way to know whether you are a candidate is to talk to one of our plastic surgeons. They can examine your abdomen and let you know if a tummy tuck is your best option. They may recommend that you undergo a different procedure or combine your tummy tuck with another procedure so that you can receive the results you want.

To schedule a consultation please call 770-425-0118 or 678-494-2380 or email Marietta Plastic Surgery, serving the Atlanta area with locations in Marietta and Woodstock.

Is a Tummy Tuck Right for You?

The best tummy tuck candidates are those who have tried to improve the appearance of their abdominal region with diet and exercise, but have been unsuccessful. A tummy tuck can succeed where weight loss and toning are insufficient for improving:

  • Stubborn fat deposits
  • Excess skin (and sometimes stretch marks)
  • Slack abdominal muscles

If you only have excess fat in the tummy area, you may be able to see good results with liposuction. However, if there is loose sagging skin on your abdomen, liposuction will not provide you with satisfactory results, because the procedure does nothing to address loose skin.

If you only need the lower abdomen addressed, a mini tummy-tuck might be right for you. Our plastic surgeons will take the time to fully analyze the condition of your abdomen and help you choose the appropriate surgery.

The Ideal Tummy Tuck Candidate

If a tummy tuck is the right procedure for you, the next question is whether you are a good candidate for the procedure. The ideal tummy tuck candidate has all the following characteristics:

  • In good general health
  • At a stable weight
  • A non-smoker
  • Understands the procedure, including its risks and benefits
  • Has realistic expectations

It is also incredibly important that you commit to maintaining a consistent body weight after you get your tummy-tuck procedure. A tummy tuck removes excess tissues from the abdomen, but it cannot prevent skin or muscle tissues from becoming stretched or new fat from accumulating.

If you experience a significant amount of weight gain after your tummy tuck, it may ruin the results of your initial procedure, which means that you may need to have another procedure performed. Eating a healthy and balanced diet and maintaining a regular workout routine will ensure that your tummy-tuck results last as long as possible.

If you meet all of the above, then you are an ideal candidate, but if you don't fit all of them, you may still be a good candidate. During your consultation, we will talk about your medical history and whether a tummy tuck is right for you.

We encourage you to make sure you understand the tummy tuck procedure before your consultation. Please read more about the procedure on our Questions about Abdominoplasty page, then look at our Before and After Gallery to get an idea about what results you might be able to expect from the procedure.

If you want to learn whether you are a candidate for a tummy tuck, please contact Marietta Plastic Surgery, serving patients across the Atlanta area with offices in Marietta and Woodstock, Georgia.