The primary goal of people considering a tummy tuck in the Fort Myers and Naples area is to reduce excess skin and smooth your abdomen. But there are additional, overlooked benefits to this popular body contouring procedure—and you may be surprised to learn some of them. A tummy tuck is great for contouring your physique, but read on to discover its lesser-known perks.
Is a tummy tuck worth it?
The vast majority of men and women who’ve had tummy tuck surgery say it was worth it—both for the midsection slimming as well as the procedure’s many side benefits. RealSelf reports that 95% of its 27,000+ tummy tuck respondents give the procedure a “worth it” rating. When you look at tummy tuck before and after photos featuring my patients, you can see why it’s such a popular procedure.
What Are the Unexpected Benefits of a Tummy Tuck
As you can see in the before and after photos, the physical transformation produced by tummy tuck surgery is dramatic. Many tummy tuck patients, however, experience uncomfortable and embarrassing conditions that are often associated with the effects of pregnancy. Tummy tuck procedures often improve these conditions, which include:
- Decreased back pain. Abdominal muscles weakened during pregnancy can result in experiencing back pain. Without a strong core, the body puts most of its weight on the back muscles, leading to poor posture and back pain. One critical element of a tummy tuck is the surgical tightening of the abdominal muscles. This, plus reduced weight around your midsection, can decrease the strain on your back and encourage better posture and generally improved comfort.
- Lasting weight loss. If you’ve undergone bariatric surgery, you know that losing weight is only half the battle. Keeping it off can be just as difficult, and for most people, it’s a lifelong effort. Bariatric weight loss surgery reduces the size of the stomach to limit the amount of food you can comfortably or safely consume. This often results in rapid weight loss, which often results in excess skin. Working out or using topical skin-tightening products won’t provide a remedy. Skin removal surgery is the only way to tighten your skin. Studies have shown that people who undergo body contouring surgery after bariatric surgery are more likely to keep weight off compared to people who don’t have a skin removal procedure.
- Fewer incidences of “leakage.” After childbirth, women may experience occasional urine leakage, known as “stress urinary incontinence,” which occurs when laughing, sneezing, or making other similar movements. If you experience this symptom and are scheduled for a full tummy tuck, I can use a small amount of soft tissue to partially obstruct the bladder, reducing incidences of bladder leakage. This type of procedure is quite safe, extremely effective, and not achievable with a mini tummy tuck. Watch the video here to learn more about the differences between the 2 procedures:
- Hernia relief. Hernias come in many different iterations, but the most common version is a ventral hernia. This common condition develops when abdominal or gastrointestinal tissue breaks through the abdominal wall. Although many people with hernias may not feel symptoms, some experience pain or a visible bulge. Occasionally, the tissue can become trapped in the hole, which has the potential to become quite serious. Hernias require surgical repair—and a highly experienced plastic surgeon can perform hernia repair at same time as a tummy tuck.
- Easier exercise. It sounds almost too good to be true. But anyone with excess skin or fat around the abdomen knows that this extra bulk can make working out uncomfortable and difficult. With more improved abdominal tone and shape, activities such as running, swimming, and cycling can become downright fun (we promise).
While the most popular outcome of a tummy tuck is to dramatically change your appearance, its lesser-known benefits can be the difference between merely looking good and feeling better than you have in years.
When you’re ready to schedule your consultation at a cosmetic surgery practice near Fort Myers, or if you’d simply like more information, visit our contact page or call us at (239) 262-5662.
Updated August 2024
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