Maintain Your Figure after Tummy Tuck

Many people who are considering having a tummy tuck wonder about the long-term effects the procedure will have on their figures. Patients are curious about the effects of gaining weight after a tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty), traditional methods of weight loss vs. tummy tuck, and the necessity of exercise after tummy tuck. While the effects of a tummy tuck can dramatically enhance a person’s appearance and self-confidence, it is important for patients to understand that abdominoplasty is not a weight-loss procedure, nor is it a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. Patients who have unreasonable expectations going into their tummy tuck procedure may be disappointed. Read on for more information about maintaining your new figure after a tummy tuck.

Gaining Weight after a Tummy Tuck

While tummy tuck is an effective method for firming and flattening the abdominal region, there is no guarantee against the possibility of a patient gaining weight after a tummy tuck. Abdominoplasty is not to be used as a weight-loss procedure. Patients who wish to avoid gaining weight after a tummy tuck must maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine as recommended by their surgeon. Not only will a healthy lifestyle help prevent a patient from gaining weight after a tummy tuck, but exercise will help the patient to heal more quickly and tone surrounding muscles.

Should I Exercise after My Abdominoplasty?

Many patients erroneously assume that there is no need for them to exercise after abdominoplasty. On the contrary, exercise after abdominoplasty is crucial to the maintenance of your new figure. In fact, even patients who did not have an exercise routine prior to their tummy tuck procedure are encouraged to exercise as soon as their plastic surgeon advises them that it is safe. Exercise after abdominoplasty will significantly aid in recovery, helping patients to reduce swelling, tone muscles, and reduce the chance of blood clots immediately after the procedure. Furthermore, exercise is essential to any healthy lifestyle and will help the patient tone and firm his or her entire body.

Visit the DocShop gallery to view abdominoplasty before and after photos.

Photo credit: Kovanda Plastic Surgery

Traditional Weight Loss Methods vs. Tummy Tuck

When some patients consider traditional methods of weight loss vs. tummy tuck, they wrongly assume that the surgical procedure will act as a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise. Although a tummy tuck can greatly improve a person’s overall appearance, abdominoplasty is not an effective means of achieving general weight loss. Overall body proportion is the key to looking and feeling good, so it is always important that the abdominal area remain proportionate to the rest of the body. Rather than comparing traditional methods of weight loss vs. tummy tuck, patients are encouraged to consider them as complements. For instance, in cases in which a person is generally overweight, and the abdominal region is significantly large in relation to the rest of the body, a tummy tuck may be a good way to improve the body’s overall appearance while setting the individual on the path to a more satisfying weight loss experience. However, in light of traditional methods of weight loss vs. tummy tuck, it is important to remember that there is no easy fix, and that there is no substitute for a healthy diet and regular exercise. Due to the cost of tummy tuck, it is in the patient's best interest to get to healthy weight before surgery, and maintain that weight after surgery.

Talk to a Tummy Tuck Surgeon

Abdominoplasty is a serious procedure that patients understandably have many questions about. If you are curious about the possibility of gaining weight after a tummy tuck, the benefits of exercise after abdominoplasty, or the traditional methods of weight loss vs. tummy tuck, use our directory to contact a qualified plastic surgeon in your area.