Many people seem to easily gain and lose weight in their abdomen. These yo-yo abdominal changes can leave some local residents with abdomens that have loose and hanging abdominal skin that won’t naturally “snap back” into shape despite the patient’s commitment to a strict diet and exercise regime.
Sometimes, the best way to reshape your abdomen isn’t to continue a diet that just isn’t working, but to turn to local plastic surgeon Dr. Hopkins of J. Hopkins Plastic Surgery for a tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty.
What a Tummy Tuck Can Do
Abdominoplasty can:
- Excise unwanted skin that hangs or droops from the abdomen
- Excise skin that has stretch marks from prior weight gain and loss
- Allow Dr. Hopkins to stitch up separated abdominal muscles, which causes a visual divide in the abdominal wall
What a Tummy Tuck Can’t Do
Some local patients have inaccurate expectations of the results they’ll see from abdominoplasty. Here’s what the procedure can’t do:
- Help patients lose weight – the procedure is not weight loss surgery
- Guarantee that all stretch marks will be removed during skin excision (though Dr. Hopkins is skilled at helping to reduce their appearance)
- Prevent future weight gain – your results can be negated if you gain weight in the future
Are You A Candidate for Abdominoplasty?
Because Dr. Hopkins cares about his patients being able to maintain long term results, he has a set of criteria for patients desiring abdominoplasty. These include:
- Being in good overall medical and mental health
- Being a non-smoker because smoking, vaping or even using chewing tobacco can complicate surgeries and their recovery time periods
- Have excess abdominal skin and/or separated abdominal muscles that don’t respond to diet and exercise
- Be at, or very close to your goal weight for at least 6 consecutive months
- Have realistic expectations for your procedure
- Pass a pre-op examination from your primary care physician so that you are medically cleared for elective plastic surgery
Recovering from a Tummy Tuck
Abdominal surgery isn’t something to make light of. Patients who get a tummy tuck won’t be able to lift or hold anything for the first 2 weeks after their procedure (this includes small children). Dr. Hopkins highly recommends that you call in your tribe of family and friends to help you around the house doing normal, everyday tasks, especially the first 2 weeks after your surgery.
You’ll also have a 6-week recovery process, during which time activities will gradually be added back to the “okay to do” list. After 6 weeks, patients are typically cleared and encouraged to resume their heavy exercise routine, but the timing of when you’ll be cleared to hit the gym will always be dependent on your unique results and recovery process.
Contact Dr. Hopkins to Learn More About Abdominoplasty
If you want a firmer and flatter abdomen and no amount of sit-ups or planks seem to help you get the results you desire, abdominoplasty may be beneficial to you.
To find out for sure, schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Hopkins at his Dallas plastic surgery practice by calling (972) 298-6641.
