Are You A Good Tummy Tuck Candidate?

Good Tummy Tuck Candidate?

You MAY BE A Good Tummy Tuck Candidate if..

You have sagging abdominal skin.
You have excess fat in your abdomen.
Your weight loss has stabilized at a healthy weight and you exercise regularly.
You have no plans to become pregnant.
Exercise won't remove the sagging skin.
You have good muscle tone.
You do not smoke.

You May NOT BE A Good Tummy Tuck Candidate if..

You anticipate future pregnancies. Pregnancy may stretch the skin and may separate abdominal muscles that have been repaired during a Tummy Tuck.
You intend to lose a lot of weight.
You have a horizontal scar across your abdomen. Existing scars may put you at high risk for healing problems and create difficulties for the surgeon.
You are too obese. Obesity may cause poor circulation resulting in improper or high risk healing.
You are a smoker who can't quit. Smokers have an increased risk of healing problems. You should stop smoking for at least one month prior to surgery.
You don' t have control over healthy eating habits or are susceptible to gaining weight in the future.

Tummy Tuck Feedback Messages

The following Reader Comments are relevant to the subject of this page.
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Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 12:35 AM
Subject: Tummy Tuck Candidate

Hi there...thank you for all the information on your website!

So here is the deal...I am a 28 year old male in need of some advice on abdominoplasty. I have had several back surgeries in the past 4 years, but now my back is in perfect shape. The last surgery was September of 2008, when I had Anterior Spinal Fusion at the L5/S1 level. Anterior, of course, meant that they went through the front. I now have a scar, horizontal, approx 6-7" across my stomach above my hips on the left side. Before surgery, I had about 5-7 lbs to lose in hat area. I am not "fat", but rather, I have a very "flabby" gut that looks disgusting to me and I am sure to others. I am very self-conscious about it, and I would feel much better about myself if I did not have such a "tummy". I want to know if at my age, I am a candidate for a tummy tuck, or if perhaps you think that liposuction alone would be able to help the problem. I wonder if I would have enough elasticity in my skin that it would stretch back? Perhaps also I am not a candidate for the surgery because of the scar that I now have? Please le me know your opinion, and fee free to ask if you need any other information. Thank you SO much for your time in answering my question, I really appreciate your advice!
Lennon

Response
Lennon,
If you were a good tummy tuck candidate, one of the first things you would have to do is get down to your "Ideal Weight" (or a few pounds below it). It sounds like it won't take you long to do that from what you say. I would combine that with exercise, vitamins and supplements and good nutrition. Then look into the mirror and determine if you really need an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or not. A tummy tuck surgery should be your last resort. It is still a dangerous and expensive surgical procedure requiring a lot of "down time" on your part.

If you were never extremely overweight, I would be optimistic about your skin not being stretched beyond the point of no return. Your young age is a plus for your skin retaining it's elasticity, but there are too many factors that come into play to make a prediction. I would concentrate on losing the weight and getting into shape first.

As for your existing scar, only a surgeon can determine if it will be a problem or not. I would guess it wouldn't be but I don't really know because I wasn't faced with that situation.

Why not make an appointment for a tummy tuck consultation with a plastic surgeon? It is the only way to get good answers to all your questions. He can also tell you if liposuction will be of any benefit to you. Tummy Tuck Consultations are usually pretty cheap. Mine cost me only $25. After the consultation you walk away with the knowledge and facts needed to make a good decision. Good luck.
Tanner

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 11:09 AM
Dear Tanner,
Thank you so much for your quick response! I will definitely go and have a consultation on this to get my questions answered further...you're awesome man thanks!
Lennon

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Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 3:07 AM
Subject: Tummy Tuck Candidate

I am a 61 yr old female with a wt loss so far of 75 lbs. and plan to lose a maximum 30 more lbs I weigh 161 right now. I have had several abdominal surgeries gastroplasty 30+yrs ago with a vertical scar about 12 inches long midline and two vertical scars about 8 inches for non cancerous tumor removal from utereous and later a total hysterectomy(same) scar area, tissue healing always went well last surgery was when I was 47 (14 yr ago) I now have been diagnoses with peripheral neuropathy and have numbness in hand and feet but have been on Gabipentin for a year with some improvement. My blood glucose levels are a little elevated but not diabetic. Will this neuropathy be a problem? Will my age be a problem ? I Would like to do this in the next 18months or so as I want to make sure my wt stabilizes. I exercise daily. and have used the Weight 'Watcher program to drop this weight over the last 14 months and foresee completing this weight loss within the next year. Am I a good candidate for this procedure. I already have so much loose skin on my breasts, tummy buttocks inner thighs. 'thank you for answering my questions.

Response - With your medical history and current condition I could not even attempt to provide an opinion whether you are a good tummy tuck candidate. The research that I did before I had my tummy tuck did not even come close to addressing your concerns. Only a doctor or surgeon can answer these for you (same old story).

I don't think your age will have as much effect on the decision though. I read somewhere that the oldest patient that one surgeon performed a tummy tuck on was in her 70’s.

I think it's good that you a planning, exercising and taking your time to lose the weight. Getting yourself into good shape before a tummy tuck is the best thing you can do. If you're lucky, the daily exercise and good eating habits will remain with you well after the tummy tuck and will keep the weight from returning.

Sorry I could not answer your medical questions.

Good luck.

Tanner