Tummy Tuck Myths: 5 Common Misconceptions About Abdominoplasty
Achieving a flat, toned stomach may not always be attainable on one’s own—even when individuals are committed to the healthiest lifestyle habits—due to sagging excess skin and weakened abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) can address these cosmetic concerns by sculpting a smoother, firmer abdominal profile; however, the procedure can sometimes be a bit misunderstood.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon in Houston, James F. Boynton, MD, FACS can clear up any confusion so that potential tummy tuck patients have a factual representation of the procedure. Below, Dr. Boynton explains five of the most common misconceptions about abdominoplasty:
Myth 1: A tummy tuck helps you lose weight.
Despite the tighter, more toned look that can result from abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck procedure is not designed to help patients lose weight. In reality, patients should be at or near their ideal weight before tummy tuck surgery rather than relying on the extracted skin and fat to impact their overall weight. That said, there are many patients in our “Skinny Shot” program who utilize semaglutide weight loss injections in the months preceding their tummy tuck to arrive at an optimal weight range prior to surgery. In many cases, this further enhances the final outcome of a patient’s abdominoplasty results.
Myth 2: Tummy tucks are only for female patients.
Although tummy tucks are popular procedures for females, especially after having children, the truth is that both men and women can benefit from an abdominoplasty. The surgical goals of a tummy tuck can help individuals achieve a flatter, more contoured abdomen—regardless of gender—especially for patients who have lost a significant amount of weight and would like to further sculpt their midsection. Men, in particular, frequently consider tummy tuck surgery to get rid of loose, hanging abdominal skin and regain a leaner, more athletic physique after weight loss.
Myth 3: Liposuction is an alternative to a tummy tuck.
While tummy tuck and liposuction/lipocontouring can both be considered effective body contouring solutions, the goals of each procedure are quite different. Liposuction is recommended for patients who would only like to remove stubborn fat cells that are resistant to diet and exercise, whereas abdominoplasty is designed to eliminate excess skin, tighten abdominal muscles, and smooth out the remaining skin. If both excess fat and skin are a concern in the midsection, liposuction may be used in combination with a tummy tuck.
Myth 4: Tummy tucks will remove all stretch marks.
One of the benefits of a tummy tuck is that some of the stretch marks that were visible on the abdomen may be removed when sagging skin is excised—and it’s possible that some of the surrounding stretch may be less noticeable once the skin is pulled tauter—but the procedure should not be considered a solution for all stretch marks.
Myth 5: Tummy tuck results are permanent.
The results of tummy tuck surgery are intended to be long-lasting; however, the longevity of the outcome will depend on the patient’s lifestyle after surgery. Maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and avoiding major weight fluctuations can all help preserve the results of a tummy tuck for many years.
To find out more about tummy tuck surgery, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Boynton, please contact us today.