When people think about cosmetic procedures, the main reason is often to look better. After all, when you look your best, you feel your best. It’s a great tool to boost your self-confidence and make clothes fit better. But are there any additional perks? Can a tummy tuck bring about health benefits? If so, do they affect everyone the same way? Being aware of these advantages can make you feel even more excited about the prospect of scheduling an appointment for the procedure.
What are tummy tucks?
Tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic enhancement that’s performed to remove excess fat and loose skin from the abdominal area. It is one of the most common cosmetic procedures in the country and provides satisfactory results for women and men. There are different types of tummy tucks, each of them designed to target your preferred area — upper abdomen, lower abdomen, the entire region, and/or to remove a substantial amount of saggy skin after significant weight loss.
While the main reason for undergoing the procedure is for cosmetic purposes — usually to regain a pre-baby shape, or to remove stubborn excess fat that hasn’t gone away with diet and exercise — it turns out that you may end up with additional benefits. Which ones apply to you depend on your specific circumstances.
5 Health Benefits of Tummy Tucks
1. Skin Care Benefits
When you get a tummy tuck, not only will you have a leaner appearance and a flatter abdominal area, the skin in your mid-section will look smoother and younger. This is the effect of both removing excess skin as well as tightening the fascia and muscles of the abdominal wall.
2. Strengthens Your Core
Individuals who need tummy tucks often have weak abdominal muscles. This may be due to a distended stomach after pregnancy or significant weight gain. Since an abdominoplasty repositions the abdominal muscles, you are better able to engage your abs. This, in turn, makes them stronger and increases the strength of your core. As an added bonus, exercise becomes easier.
3. May Decrease Back Pain
This benefit applies to patients for whom the excess fat and loose skin on their abdominal area affects their posture. When this occurs, the muscles on the lower back are strained more than usual to maintain an upright position. When this goes on for long periods of time, it can result in lower back pain.
4. May Relieve Urinary Incontinence
While there are several factors that could cause urinary incontinence, one of them is added pressure to the bladder. By removing stubborn abdominal fat, you release some of this pressure.
5. Hernia Correction
A ventral hernia occurs when a person’s abdominal wall muscles are too weak, causing a bulge of tissues or even a portion of the small intestine to push through the abdominal wall. This is a common occurrence after substantial weight loss, appendectomies, or C-sections. Undergoing a tummy tuck means that your doctor will tighten your abdominal wall muscles, preventing this from happening again in the future.
If You’re Thinking About Cosmetic Enhancements, Contact Innovations Medical
If you’re looking to reshape your body and boost your self-confidence, Innovations Medical is here for you. We’ll answer your questions and resolve any concerns you have about cosmetic procedures. We’ve been helping our patients look their best since 2005, and even our most advanced procedures are often minimally invasive.
To explore cosmetic options and learn how Innovations Medical can bounce back your body, call us at (214) 643-8665 or schedule an appointment.