Bouncing back after baby or getting into shape can be a challenge. Sometimes diet and exercise aren’t enough to tone the body, and you now struggle with loose, saggy skin instead. This extra tissue makes exercise uncomfortable and trips to the gym awkward. We believe no one should feel uncomfortable in their own bodies—especially when exercising and trying to live a healthy life.
If you struggle with stretched-out skin from weight loss or a previous pregnancy that makes exercise difficult, a tummy tuck may help. Here is some advice we offer our Portland patients who want to feel like themselves again at the gym and on the go.
What a Tummy Tuck Can Do
When it comes to removing saggy, excess skin, few procedures work as well as a tummy tuck. The surgery begins with a hip-to-hip incision, giving the doctor access to fat and tissue underneath the skin. Excess fat is removed, damaged muscles are repaired, and the skin is pulled down firmly over the midsection. This all results in a firmer, flatter belly and carefully defined waistline.
While a traditional tummy tuck is the most common option, our practice offers a mini tummy tuck as well. This specialized procedure directly targets the area below the belly button, whereas a traditional approach addresses the whole midsection.
Making Exercise Easier
When you have excess saggy skin, intensive workouts can be physically and mentally uncomfortable. Sweat and grime get trapped under stubborn folds, and chafing skin creates rashes and irritation. Many people also feel self-conscious about exercising even after they’ve lost some weight. Stretched out skin obscures the toned muscles you have underneath, hiding your hard-won progress.
For tummy tuck patients, the main benefit is clear: Tighter, more taut skin leads to more comfortable exercise. Losing the folds, rolls, and flaps streamlines your body and eliminates the conditions that make movement more difficult. When you’ve worked hard to lose weight or bounce back after pregnancy, you deserve to enjoy your results. A tummy tuck can help you feel more confident in workout clothes and show off the body you’ve created.
Is a Tummy Tuck Right for You?
Tummy tuck surgery is best for patients with excess belly fat and skin resistant to diet and exercise. It tightens skin and stitches together separated abdominal muscles (if necessary), eliminating the appearance of a “belly pooch.” Keep in mind, though, that a tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure and shouldn’t be used to “get into shape.” Patients should be already close to their goal weight to achieve the best possible tummy tuck results.
At our Portland plastic surgery practice, we believe everyone should feel comfortable in their own skin. This procedure can give you the confidence to reach your fitness goals and achieve a new, slimmer body. If saggy belly skin and fat have kept you from exercising, tummy tuck surgery can improve your quality of life.
Browse our before-and-after gallery to see real results from our patients. If you would like to learn more about tummy tuck or other plastic surgery options in Portland, request a consultation online or call (503) 292-9200.
