Most of us have a stomach pooch – that little bit of fat around the middle that just won’t go away no matter what we do. After years of trying to get rid of it, you may be thinking of a tummy tuck. And although it is very effective and very safe, a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure, so there are somethings you should know!

What happens during a tummy tuck?

In a tummy tuck (also known as “abdominoplasty”), excess skin and fat are removed. There are three types of tummy tucks: full, mini, and extended. The main difference between them is where the incisions are made, and your doctor will take into consideration things such as how much loose skin you have and how strong your muscles are when recommending which procedure you should have. Liposuction may also be used to remove fat during a tummy tuck.

Who should get a tummy tuck?

If you are considering any cosmetic surgery procedure, it is important to have realistic expectations about what the outcome will be. It is especially important to realize that your body will need to have time to recover after the surgery, and it will take time to see the final results.

You should be healthy before the surgery, and you should also be prepared to take care of yourself after the procedure so that the results of the tummy tuck can be maintained – you should keep up a healthy lifestyle, with a healthy diet and exercise.

Patients with loose skin are the best candidates for a tummy tuck – if you only have excess fat, another procedure such as liposuction may be the better choice for you. It is also preferable that you are done with having babies. There is no risk to your baby’s health if you get pregnant after you have a tummy tuck, but the weight you gain during pregnancy will give you loose, excess skin once again.

Are you considering a tummy tuck? To make sure that you are a good candidate for this procedure and to answer any questions you may have, call the office of Dr. Alfonso Barrera for a tummy tuck consultation. Call the office in Houston for an appointment, at (713) 468-5200!