According to the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, there are a few crucial points that can help us answer the question of appropriateness. These include:
- Skin elasticity. Many people who have lost a lot of weight find a new problem once they have reached their goal: excess skin. The skin does have a fair amount of bounce to it, but there is a possibility that it can stretch too far for too long to allow it to fully retract on its own. When there is excessive looseness in skin tissue, a tummy tuck may be more appropriate for better abdominal contouring. This procedure tightens all muscular and skin structure from the hips to the navel, or even higher.
- Muscle laxity. Often, when belly fat looks saggy and “squishy,” the problem is that the underlying muscle has loosened substantially. Women who have experienced one or more pregnancies may have a separation of the muscle located in the abdominal cavity. Here again, a tummy tuck is ideal for optimal tightening of abdominal muscle structure for a flatter, smoother stomach.
- Personal objectives. Liposuction usually achieves excellent results in younger patients whose skin has enough resiliency to retract after fat extraction. However, there are instances in which a younger patient may either need or prefer that a tummy tuck also is included in the treatment protocol. In some cases, a surgeon may request that a patient undergo liposuction first and then give the body a chance to self-correct. If, after a few months, the skin has not tightened, a tummy tuck can be performed.
Cincinnati cosmetic surgeon Dr. Donna Krummen routinely performs liposuction and tummy tuck surgeries. To learn more about these services, call 513.985.0850.
