Have you lost a fair amount of weight and thinking about a tummy tuck to get rid of that excess skin? Or are you trying to sculpt your waistline and hoping to gain some self-confidence with a smoother, flatter abdomen? If so, considering plastic surgery in the form of abdominoplasty might be the perfect option for you. More and more people are getting subtle nips and tucks these days. In fact, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Americans spent over $13 billion on combined aesthetic procedures in one year — for the first time on record! And in 2015, there was a two percent increase from 2014 in surgical and minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures in the United States, according to annual plastic surgery procedural statistics. Just under 16 million procedures were performed.

What Is Abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty is a type of cosmetic surgery that has the end result of making your abdomen firmer and thinner. Essentially, unnecessary skin and fat are removed to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. Having this type of tummy tuck done can help really show off the effects of your dieting and exercise regimen — even if you are healthy and fit, you may still have what you consider a pooch or excess fat rolls. When you gain weight, your skin stretches to accommodate that extra weight. When you lose that weight, that skin and extra fat is still there.

Everything from getting older, to having been pregnant, to weight fluctuations can make people want a tummy tuck procedure in order to “get their body back.” However, it should be noted that abdominoplasty is not a stand in for dieting, exercising, and living a healthy lifestyle.

Why Should I Consider Having Abdominoplasty Done?
One of the main reasons patients consider getting a tummy tuck is to increase their self-confidence. They may not feel sexy or attractive, despite dieting or maintaining a healthier lifestyle, and want to get rid of that excess fat and skin. For women who have had multiple pregnancies, abdominoplasty can be an amazing way to get their pre-pregnancy bodies back. Afterwards, patients may feel like they can really love their bodies again and feel more confident. You can reinvent yourself with just one cosmetic procedure!

Another reason people may choose to opt for a tummy tuck is for better posture, limiting stress urinary incontinence, or to fit into their clothes better. Every patient has their own unique reasons for doing so.

If you’ve always wanted to see a slimmer, fitter you, the time is now! Generally, in order to be a good candidate, you have to be within 30% of your ideal body weight. You’re considered a good candidate if you’re already leading a healthy lifestyle, don’t smoke, and have realistic expectations about what the outcome of the procedure will be. Many doctors also advise to not have a tummy tuck if you are planning on becoming pregnant again.

How Do I Find a Good Plastic Surgeon?

You certainly want to find a plastic surgeon who you can trust. After all, you want your results to look natural and seamless. And, going down the line, it may be convenient to already have a relationship built with that doctor, if you want further work done.

You of course want to check out his or her credentials, place of study, and whether or not he or she is on top of their game medically. Do they get accredited every year? Do patient reviews sound satisfied and happy with the work that was done? Meet with them for a consultation and see if you feel comfortable with them and the answers they’re providing.

If you know family or friends who have had work done, see if they can recommend someone to you. A personal recommendation can be worth its weight in gold.

Get the body you’ve always wanted — you’ve put in the hard work, now see its results! With abdominoplasty, your body contouring will look fabulous and you’ll feel amazing.