Life, aging, lack of exercise and overeating, even the recent COVID quarantines can be contributing to our growing waistlines. These are factors we typically see patients describe as what contributes to putting on extra fat around their midsections.
If you have some extra fat around your abdomen, or even the “quarantine 15” you may be considering a tummy tuck.
The procedure known medically as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck gives men and women the toned, tight midsections they always wanted. The procedure is popular amongst women who have Mommy Makeovers after their pregnancies, and men prefer the surgery after losing a large amount of weight or to fight the stubborn fat that develops with age.
The amazing results that can be achieved through getting abdominoplasty has made it amongst the most popular of plastic surgery procedures. Beginning in 2000, tummy tuck procedures increased by nearly 87% over a fourteen-year period according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
What IS surprising to many patients is this body contouring procedure actually has several medical benefits!
Tummy Tucks Help Reduce Stress Urinary Incontinence
After pregnancy, some women may experience a condition known as “Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI).” Women with this condition tend to have minor amounts of urine leak from their bladders when they laugh, sneeze, cough and perform strenuous exercises.
While in most cases surgery is probably not necessary, clinical studies show that abdominoplasty can actually alleviate the symptoms of SUI, especially for women who delivered via Cesarean section. Treating SUI during your tummy tuck involves the creation of a very small bladder obstruction with the tissue in the pelvic area which helps reduce incontinence. This procedure is usually performed by a Urologist in combination with Dr. Kole.
Tummy Tucks Help Improve Muscle Tone and Posture
Your abdominal muscles are part of your body’s core and they perform several important functions. You may be familiar with the importance of your abs when you bend over or use your midsection in other ways, but your core also supports posture.
Pregnancy and obesity weakens the abdominal muscles over time. Your tummy tuck can be adapted to include techniques to stretch the muscles and hold them in place with sutures. This will improve your core strength, resulting in better posture.
Most of our patients at The Kole Plastic Surgery report having much less back pain as a result of the muscular modifications made during their abdominoplasty procedures.
Tummy Tucks Help Correct Ventral Hernias
When tissue in the abdominal area or the intestines push through the abdominal wall, a condition known as a “ventral hernia” develops. In some cases, the tissue will retreat back behind the abdominal wall, but in more extreme cases, surgery is needed to repair the problem.
Ventral hernias may occur in patients who carry a large amount of excess weight and those who have certain types of abdominal surgery, such as a C-sections, midline abdominal surgery and appendectomy.
Because a tummy tuck aims to improve many of the issues related to a ventral hernia, the surgery is the perfect opportunity to repair the problem. By tightening the abdominal muscles during a tummy tuck, it resolves the cause of your ventral hernia, namely a weakened abdominal wall. Ventral hernias can reoccur, so it’s good to consider the benefits of repairing the hernia during your tummy tuck.
Some Considerations for Having a Tummy Tuck
Most people have the belief that tummy tucks are one of the simpler cosmetic procedures to have performed, but you should fully understand the surgery before deciding if it is right for you. Abdominoplasty is actually an extensive surgical procedure. The incision is significant, and the changes made to the muscles and other tissue of the abdominal area can be considerable. You will most likely have a lengthy recovery period, and getting proper rest is key to a successful cosmetic and overall medical outcome.
Some key points to remember if you have a Tummy Tuck procedure:
- Tummy tucks require general anesthesia and take one to two and a half hours.
- The surgery can remove up to 10 pounds of stomach fat, but will not remove fat from the inside of your abdomen, only the fat under your skin..
- Recovery from abdominoplasty can take several weeks.
- All surgeries have risks for complications and infections.
Dr. Kole will explain the risks and benefits of a tummy tuck based on your anatomy, lifestyle and cosmetic goals. Call our offices today at (215) 315-7655 to schedule a Complimentary Consultation.
