When Is It Time to Consider a Tummy Tuck?

If you’re bothered by loose, flabby belly skin or a “pouch” instead of a flat abdomen, you’re in good company. Many American adults can’t achieve a smooth belly with dietary changes, crunches, and sit-ups alone. 

In fact, abdominoplasty, a corrective cosmetic surgery that can reshape your belly, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the US. Also called a tummy tuck, this procedure removes excess skin and tissue while repairing weak muscles to give you a firmer, smoother abdomen. 

At Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery, board-certified cosmetic and general surgeon Kristi Sumpter, DO, and the care team help men and women in Houston, Texas, achieve the trim tummy they’ve worked for with this surgical treatment.

Many of our patients wonder when it’s the right time to consider this treatment. Keep reading as we explore when it may be time for you to consider this popular cosmetic surgery treatment.    

You’re sick of excess belly skin

If you’ve gone through pregnancy, have lost significant amounts of weight, or are getting older, you might have noticed changes in the skin on your tummy. Even with diet and exercise, your skin might not bounce back, leaving you with excess belly skin that sags or creates a “pouch.” 

At Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery, we understand how frustrating it is to work hard to reclaim your body and not see your desired results. With a tummy tuck, Dr. Sumpter removes this excess skin, leaving you with a tighter, sag-free abdomen. 

You’re at a healthy weight and your family is complete

Tummy tucks aren’t a weight-loss procedure. This surgical treatment is best for patients already at a healthy weight — and committed to maintaining it. If you gain weight after a tummy tuck, your skin stretches. Then, if you lose that excess weight, you’ll be left with saggy skin once more. 

Along the same line, if you have a tummy tuck and then experience pregnancy, the skin on your stomach will stretch to accommodate your growing infant. After giving birth, it’s likely this skin won’t snap back. For this reason, Dr. Sumpter recommends waiting until your family is complete before having this surgery.

Your abdominal muscles are weak or separated

After pregnancy or years of carrying excess weight, people can experience weakening or separation of their abdominal muscles. This condition is called diastasis recti, and it means the abdominal muscles no longer come back together the way they should. 

Even with regular workouts, it can be difficult or impossible to restore these tissues. Even targeted abdominal exercises aren’t enough to repair these damaged muscles. 

During your tummy tuck, Dr. Sumpter repairs any weakened or separated muscles and removes any pockets of loose connective tissue or fatty deposits. After your recovery, you’ll enjoy a shapely, smooth tummy with a toned appearance. 

You have a significant abdominal scar

If you’ve had an open hysterectomy or have undergone one or more C-sections, you might have a noticeable and unsightly scar on your tummy. These scars are often bumpy, thick, and irregular, as the focus during your procedure was on your health, not the scar. For some women, skin can droop or sag over the scar with time. 

An abdominoplasty can help by removing or minimizing the appearance of these obvious imperfections. The old scar is usually removed when the excess skin is excised, and as a cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Sumpter is an expert at scar placement. Your tummy scar is small and in an easy-to-conceal spot.  

You’ve talked to a tummy tuck expert

Tummy tucks are an effective way to improve your body and give your self-confidence a boost. This popular surgery has helped hundreds of thousands of US adults look and feel their best. But it doesn’t mean an abdominoplasty is the best — or only — option for you. 

It’s important to talk with a cosmetic surgeon who specializes in tummy tucks and other cosmetic procedures. At Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Sumpter evaluates your overall health and medical history and assesses your goals and lifestyle.

This information helps Dr. Sumpter determine your best treatment options for meeting your cosmetic goals. Our team also answers any questions or concerns you have, so you feel confident in your decisions. We offer a comprehensive line of cosmetic surgery services to help you enjoy the body you’ve been working to achieve. 

Wondering if now is the right time for you to consider a tummy tuck? Schedule your consultation online or on the phone with Dr. Sumpter at Winds of Change Cosmetic Surgery in Houston, Texas.