Those who have lost a significant amount of weight suffer from loose and excess skin. Women who were pregnant and lost a lot of weight after delivery can also observe signs of saggy skin. Some cases are worse than others, but the one thing that men and women have in common is the need to have a flat abdominal structure. The excess skin and fat that cover our abdominal muscles make it difficult for some to feel comfortable in a bathing suit. Substantial amount of dieting and exercise can make the belly look deflated and unflattering. The loose skin that is still there after countless gym sessions can make you feel depressed and hopeless. A tummy tuck can change that and give you the confidence you have been looking for. Here’s what you will need to know that will determine if you are a good candidate.

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat and skin to flatten and smooth out the stomach. The procedure restores weakened muscles and restores the abdomen back to its original state.

According to the plastic surgery statistics report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 106,000 patients had the procedure in 2012. Their abdominal muscles were tightened and improved their appearance of stretch marks. The procedure is not a substitute for weight loss or exercise; these patients worked their way to a targeted weight and got rid of the excess skin.

What makes me a good candidate for a tummy tuck?

If you have way too much excess and sagging abdominal skin, you are not alone. There are lots of thin people that also suffer from this even after weight loss. A tummy tuck brings the abdomen back to its rightful appearance and tightens the muscles.

If you have a stomach that protrudes and is out of proportion to the rest of my body, you may also be a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery. There are a lot of patients that suffer from the “beer belly,” and desire to have a stomach that doesn’t stick out from their clothing. The candidates whip their bodies into shape and yet their stomach still sags down from the bottom of their shirt, but the procedure will redefine the shape of the abdomen and flatten it out as you desire.

Patients that have constant weight fluctuations, even though they eat healthy, there’s still that unnecessary flab in the stomach. Once you realize that your body isn’t responding to all of the healthy fruits and vegetables you are consuming it will be advised to go in for a tummy tuck to get rid of the excess fat. It will still be necessary to continue your strict diet to keep the weight off, as well as regular exercise.

Also, patients that are finished having children and no matter how much they exercise they cannot lose the excess skin. Every mother that cannot afford a personal trainer and dietician understands what you are going through. After your pregnancy you will see that your skin and abdominal muscles have been stretched out too far. Multiple pregnancies will have stretched the stomach beyond a point where it will not return to its normal shape. The procedure will help by cutting the excess skin and bringing the abdominal muscles back together again. If you plan to become pregnant again or lose more weight in the future, you should discuss this with your surgeon.

There are a number of reasons that will determine if you are able to get a tummy tuck. If you are unsure, visit Dr. William LoVerme at Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery. He will kindly answer all of your questions about the surgery and how it will benefit you. Don’t spend this summer hiding your body in big bulky clothes, make the call today and get that sleek, smooth and sexy stomach back.