Published by Dr MIguel Fernadez Calderón: 09/01/2023
Today we answer one of the most frequently asked questions about tummy tuck surgery. It is about who is a good candidate for abdominoplasty.. The patient must meet certain characteristics to undergo this procedure and the surgeon will help you understand what requirements must be met.
What should you consider before an abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty surgery is a fairly popular procedure performed to restore firmness to the abdomen and improve body contour. Patients who undergo this procedure have excess fat and sagging skin around the waist.
This usually occurs due to drastic weight loss and after pregnancy, but there are other reasons why it may occur. It is likely, for example, that the patient has a genetic predisposition that causes fat accumulation in the abdomen. Or that the muscles become more flaccid due to aging.
In any case it is important that the professional to whom you turn to know your medical history. When you choose the best abdominoplasty surgeon Madrid Spain, you will be asked to undergo a series of medical tests before the operation. These include blood tests, electrocardiograms, chest X-rays, among others.
The reason is that he must know your state of health to determine if you are fit for surgery.
In addition, the patient must provide information about his or her habits, such as tobacco or alcohol consumption.
Abdominoplasty is a surgery that requires planning and sometimes it is best to wait a while before doing it. A person who wishes to continue losing weight after the operation should not have a tummy tuck yet. The same is true for women who wish to become pregnant.
Talk to your surgeon and be clear on what your goals are, so they will decide if it is the right time to do abdominoplasty.
The best candidate for abdominoplasty is one who is close to his or her ideal weight.
Who is a good candidate for abdominoplasty?
Among the characteristics to be a good candidate for abdominoplasty is that the patient should be close to his or her ideal weight. Some people think that this is a treatment to lose weight, but it is not.
Although some weight will be lost by removing excess fat and skin, it is not a specific treatment for it. So the patient must first reach the weight he/she is looking for in order to consider abdominoplasty. There are other specific weight loss procedures such as bariatric surgery.
A good patient has a good general state of health, as this will allow it to be a safe surgery. In addition, it is key to the success of the procedure.
The physical change that occurs with abdominoplasty is considerable. It is therefore important that the patient is committed to maintaining the results in the future. This includes eating healthy, exercising and following the surgeon's instructions.
Abdominoplasty patient characteristics
We have already mentioned some of the criteria that are considered when performing abdominoplasty. Below, we mention other characteristics of candidates for abdominoplasty.
- Men and women who accumulate fat and loose skin around the abdomen. If the tissue does not disappear with diet or exercise, abdominoplasty is an alternative to achieve the silhouette they are looking for.
- Women with multiple pregnancies or with a very drastic weight gain during gestation. During this stage the skin stretches and becomes flaccid and the rectus muscles separate. Many times they do not recover their original figure after pregnancy and tummy tuck surgery can help to achieve it.
- With aging, the skin loses elasticity and tends to sag in some parts of the body. This is notorious in the abdominal contour, where the muscles also begin to lose firmness. Surgery allows to solve both problems and thus recover the figure.
When having any surgery, whether it is an abdominoplasty or a bichectomy Madrid Spain, you must adapt your lifestyle to maintain the results.
How do you know if the surgery will be effective?
If you have in mind to undergo a tummy tuck, explain to the surgeon what your goals are. According to your state of health and your lifestyle, he/she will tell you if it is feasible to perform the operation.
The surgeon will make a complete evaluation of your situation to determine the procedure to follow. For example, if it is necessary to combine it with liposuction to shape the figure.
In addition, there are different types of abdominoplasty that are applied depending on the patient's situation. It may be that a miniabdominoplasty is sufficient or you may need the area to be treated to be larger and cover the back area.
Make sure you choose a good surgeon, who is certified and experienced in this type of operation. You should also follow the instructions he/she gives you, since all the recommendations are aimed at taking care of the results of the operation and taking care of your health.
The final results of abdominoplasty may take a few months to be noticed. And during that time it is important to follow the doctor's instructions. This includes wearing the compression garment, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, among others.
Also, consider what your plans are after the operation. If you have an abdominoplasty, but do not lead a healthy lifestyle the results will not remain over time. On the contrary, you may gain weight and the skin will stretch again and the muscles will weaken.
A pregnancy after abdominoplasty will have the same effect.
Likewise, if your plan is to continue losing weight, you will regain excess skin and lose the results.
What should you not do before a tummy tuck?
The care you take before surgery also influences the results and your overall health. The surgeon will give you precise indications to prepare you for the operation. Among the care you should take are:
- Avoid weight fluctuations during the six months prior to surgery. Try to maintain a stable weight.
- Do not smoke for at least two weeks before the procedure because smoking can interfere with recovery.
- Inform the surgeon about the medications you take. If any of them affect blood clotting, you will need to stop taking them about ten days beforehand. The surgeon and your primary care physician may need to communicate to discuss options.
Confirm with your surgeon who is a good candidate for abdominoplasty and if you fall into this category. This way you will start preparing to undergo this operation if you want to achieve your ideal figure.
