How a Tummy Tuck Can Benefit Your Overall Health

We all seem to expand as we get older, and it usually happens when we’re not paying attention. Suddenly our jeans are tight and our clothes don’t fit so well anymore. Maybe they shrunk?

If you have thought about a tummy tuck, you may be surprised to learn that there are more than just cosmetic benefits to be gained.

Why Get A Tummy Tuck?

Many women who have just been through a pregnancy and want a mommy makeover find a tummy tuck is just what they’re looking for.

Also known as an abdominoplasty, this procedure can remove up to 10 pounds of excess skin from your abdomen. It tightens the muscles and can give you a toned, well-defined stomach. A tummy tuck is also frequently used to remove excess skin after weight loss and it can even eliminate stretch marks. If you are looking for something to improve your self-confidence, this will certainly do it.

Other reasons to decide on a tummy tuck include the following:

• It can provide great motivation to lose more weight and strive for better health
• It will help increase your tolerance for more intense exercises once that excess skin is gone.
• It will improve the appearance of your body

What’s not to like about that?

The Overall Health Benefits of a Tummy Tuck

The size of a person’s waistline can determine many health problems besides just obesity. Yes, there are many positive results of a tummy tuck, but the health benefits may “outweigh” the cosmetic. Here are a few examples of what a tummy tuck can potentially do for you.

Strengthens Your Core

A tummy tuck can restore a weakened core, strengthen abdominal muscles, and improve overall flexibility. In addition, stronger abdominal muscles can relieve lower back pain and improve posture.

Minimize the Risks for Certain Medical Conditions

Losing this excess skin and fat can help lower your risk of encountering diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, gallbladder disease, and gallstones.

Prevents Hernias

When you strengthen your abdominal muscles, you could avoid unnecessary stress on the stomach muscles that often leads to the formation of a ventral hernia.

Improved Control Over Bodily Functions

Getting older, experiencing one or multiple pregnancies, and losing a significant amount of weight are all common occurrences in life that leave many with reduced bladder and bowel function. These problems can all be improved by losing that extra fat and skin around the tummy.

Relieves Stress Urinary Incontinence

After pregnancy, some women find they have an issue with accidental leaks of urine when laughing, sneezing, or coughing. This symptom is known as urinary incontinence. After a surgical procedure, a tummy tuck can reduce the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence.

Other Options

CoolSculpting is another way to remove unpleasant tummy fat. It uses extremely cold temperatures to freeze the fat in a specific area like the tummy. The fat cells are eliminated naturally over the following several weeks, making this an excellent option for patients who wish to avoid surgery.

Of course, a healthy diet that is low in carbohydrates can also help to reduce your waistline along with regular exercise.

Call Dr. Wendy Gottlieb at (703) 668-9499 or request an appointment online if you are thinking about a tummy tuck for either cosmetic or health reasons. Find out about all your options for reducing tummy fat.