Can I Get A Tummy Tuck For Loose Skin?

Many people who have lost a significant amount of weight are excited about their success. They can enjoy a new, active lifestyle with better-fitting clothes and a slimmer profile. After losing a dramatic amount of weight, however, you may still have some loose or heavy excess skin as a reminder of your previous body shape. Plastic surgery such as a tummy tuck can eliminate this skin and improve the contour of the abdomen. Also known as abdominoplasty, tummy tuck procedures change lives every day by flattening the stomach when weight loss has not been enough. 

At Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery, we make things easier for men and women with challenging loose skin around their abdomen. Double board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Marisa Lawrence serves the Atlanta, GA area to provide youthful-looking results to tummy tuck patients. If you are suffering from extra skin as a result of weight loss or pregnancy, this skin-tightening procedure can help. 

Tummy tuck candidacy and procedure

Is a tummy tuck right for you? You should know that abdominoplasty is not a substitute for weight loss, so patients should be near their ideal weight to be a candidate for surgery. Other candidates for a tummy tuck have great skin laxity, are in good general health, and are unhappy with their abdomen even with frequent diet and exercise. A tummy tuck can also resolve small pockets of fat in the lower abdomen as well as loose skin. This is achieved through an additional liposuction procedure performed at the same time, saving you recovery time and resources.

The tummy tuck procedure involves Dr. Lawrence making an incision around the navel from hip bone to hip bone, then adjusting the muscles and tissues to repair weakened abdominal muscles. Dr. Lawrence will also remove the loose skin and tighten the abdomen to redefine the stomach area. The intensity of the procedure depends on the amount of skin and fatty tissue that need to be excised. During your private consultation in Atlanta, GA, you can learn if you are a good candidate for this surgery.

Your body after a tummy tuck

Abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia in a trusted and accredited surgical center. When the procedure is completed, the professional staff at Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery will monitor you before releasing you to a responsible friend or family member. They should drive you home and stay with you for at least 48 hours following surgery, assisting you with everyday care, medications, and other small tasks while you rest.

Patients will wear a compression garment around the abdomen to help reduce swelling and speed up healing time. You may feel discomfort and some pain after the tummy tuck, so it is essential to take off as much time as you need to heal. While most of your recovery should be spent on the bed or couch, you can take short walks around your home for the first few days to increase circulation. After a couple of weeks, you can return to your routine as normal. Exercise can resume closer to six weeks, once cleared by Dr. Lawrence.

Tummy tuck for loose skin

While it does help with fatty tissue, it is nearly impossible to eliminate excess skin using traditional methods such as diet and exercise. Loose skin around the abdominal area is a common concern among patients, which is why many people consider plastic surgery to correct it. A tummy tuck procedure allows you to reach your cosmetic goals and get a slimmer, more toned midsection.

There are three different types of tummy tucks for loose skin, including a full, mini, and extended tuck. At Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, GA, we use state-of-the-art techniques to make thin and well-placed incisions to limit the appearance of scarring. A full tuck addresses issues in the upper and lower abdomen, while a mini tuck meets concerns below the belly button, also known as the "pooch." An extended tummy tuck works to improve the abdomen, hips, and upper thighs. Dr. Lawrence will choose the method that gives you the most optimal results. If you have any additional questions about tummy tuck surgery for loose skin or more, our caring staff is happy to address them.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Lawrence today

At Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery, we offer other procedures in addition to abdominoplasty to give you even more dramatic results. For example, combining a tummy tuck with a lower body lift can give you a more contoured appearance. When you schedule a consultation with Dr. Lawrence, you can discuss your concerns so we can create a specific and customized surgical plan to follow. If you want to improve your body after major weight loss or pregnancy, reach out to Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, GA, to learn more.