04 Aug The Surprising Medical Benefits of a Tummy Tuck
Tummy tucks are popular amongst both men and women who want to get rid of sagging abdominal skin that doesn’t budge with diet and exercise alone. It is an often-requested procedure at Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center, but it is also one of the most invasive procedures. Also known as abdominoplasty, it is much more than trimming away excess skin. The incision is long, typically hip bone to hip bone, but made below the belt line so it’s easy to hide with clothing and even swimsuits. However, there is also a lot of work that takes place below the surface, including the strengthening of abdominal wall muscles and the creation of a new bellybutton. Many times, a tummy tuck is paired with liposuction and, in some cases, breast augmentation. It might sound like a tummy tuck is strictly cosmetic, but did you know that it also has several medical benefits?
Strengthening the abdominal walls is one of the most invasive parts of the procedure, but this part of the surgery is identical to the repair of diastasis recti (which many people experience due to pregnancy). If you have diastasis recti, you’ll be glad to know that a tummy tuck will repair that. If you don’t, but have weakened abdominal walls, a tummy tuck is still going to help. Plus, if you pair a tummy tuck with liposuction, you’ll be getting rid of some of the most dangerous fat—visceral. Carrying fat in the mid-section is linked to a myriad of diseases and can be especially difficult to get rid of. Since your midsection will already be open for the skin removal, liposuction can be added on often without any additional incision points. When you combine surgeries and incision sites, you can compound recovery time.
Beyond the Cosmetic
Unsurprisingly, when you get a tummy tuck you also get better abdominal tone. The abdomen is a key part of your “core,” and having it strong is a must—especially as your get older. Post-pregnancy and/or after substantial weight loss, the ab muscles are often stretched out. Diet and exercise are important, but these techniques have their limits. Better abdominal tone will give you better core strength, which can help with functional fitness and partaking in activities you love like hiking, yoga, or gardening.
When you have better abdominal tone and strength, you also get improved posture. Posture suffers for a variety of reasons, but tightening these muscles helps to support the spine. Some people with pore posture before abdominoplasty find that back aches end and they are able to stand longer or sit more comfortably in upright positions. In this country, poor posture is especially problematic and it can be tough to find the time to regularly hit the gym. Although a tummy tuck isn’t a be-all, end-all solution for poor posture, in some cases it can certainly help.
Making the Most of a Tummy Tuck
If you have ventral hernia, a tummy tuck may be able to correct it. This is not the goal of a tuck, of course, but this type of hernia happens when the abdominal tissue or intestine shoves through the abdominal wall. Actually, the surgery for a ventral hernia repair shares similarities to a tummy tuck. Weakened muscles are strengthened, which in turn helps with the pressure. In some cases, a hernia repair can take place at the same time as a tummy tuck since the two are so similar already.
Finally, if you struggle with urinary incontinence, you may find some relief with a tummy tuck. This is especially true for those who are post-partum and struggle with incontinence after childbirth. If you have leakage when you sneeze, laugh, cough, or exercise, tummy tucks help by addressing the soft pelvic area tissue, which creates a beneficial bladder obstruction and minimizes incontinence.
Tummy tucks are not substitutes for healthy lifestyles or necessary treatments/medical procedures that may be ancillary to a tummy tuck procedure. But, when they happen to help out in other areas, it’s a major bonus. To find out if you’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck, schedule a consult with Dr. Parson by calling the office or filling out the online contact form.