Do You Know The Truth About Tummy Tucks??

Rectus Diastasis

Rectus Diastasis is very common after having children. But what does it exactly mean? Rectus Diastasis is the separation of stomach muscles that is inevitable during some pregnancies. It can give the abdomen a bulging appearance as well as increase the risk of hernia complications.

Quick At Home Test- You can do a quick test to see if you may have this issue. Start by laying your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor. Then press your fingers on your midline at your navel. Slightly lift your head (shoulders on the floor) into a mini-crunch position. You can feel for your abdominal muscles and gage an idea of the separation, typically two-three (or more) finger widths separation means you could possibly have Rectus Diastasis.

A Tummy Tuck is used to pull those muscles back together as they once were before pregnancy. This gives you a tighter, healthier abdomen. It is also important to note that the only way to correct this muscle separation is to have surgery. No amount of exercise will bring these muscles back together and some exercises may actually exacerbate the issue. As always, it’s important to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine if you suffer from Rectus Diastasis.

Weight Loss

Achieving a huge weight loss goal is no easy feat and something that should be celebrated! Whether through diet or exercise, or by surgery it is something you have done positively for yourself and your health. However, often times after extreme weight loss, there is a lot of excess skin that can hang from multiple areas of the body including the abdomen. This is where a Tummy Tuck can help. During a tummy tuck the extra skin around the abdomen is removed giving you a more tight and flat appearance. The incision will be made at the underwear line so you can wear your bikini and still feel confident!

Just as with the muscle separation, a Tummy Tuck is the only way to remove excess skin on the body. Unfortunately there is no “magic” cream or any amount of exercise that will take away the skin or shrink it.

Best Time To Have A Tummy Tuck

The best time to have a Tummy Tuck is when you are done having children. As stated above, muscle separation can occur during pregnancy as well as loose skin and stretch marks. If you are going to invest in your body to reach your physical goals, then it is best to make sure you are not going to bear any more children. Having a child after receiving a Tummy Tuck could virtually undo all the work and money invested into your new, slim stomach. If you also plan to have Liposuction performed during your Tummy Tuck to remove excess, stubborn fat then it is best to get closest to your goal weight as possible. This is to ensure that you can get the best desired result. Only so much Liposuction can be done during one surgery to ensure the safest results.

The Truth

The truth is that tummy tucks are more than just wanting to have the look of a flat, slim stomach. They can correct rectus diastasis after pregnancies. They can also be the solution after extreme weight loss to correct the extra sagging skin and restore your shape. A Tummy Tuck can be apart of a combination surgery as well, often known as a “Mommy Makeover”. A “Mommy Makeover” is needed when more than one procedure is required to achieve your goals. One example would be after extreme weight loss. The patient may need a Tummy Tuck and other procedures to remove excess skin from other areas. Some women may even opt to have breast augmentation, breast lift, etc.

Find A Surgeon

It is important to find a surgeon that understands your needs and goals. A board certified plastic surgeon can inform you if a Tummy tuck is the right procedure for you.