Three Medical Benefits of Undergoing a Tummy Tuck
Most patients consider undergoing an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, because of the cosmetic benefits it can provide. Since this procedure is extremely effective at removing excess skin and fat, tightening the abdominal wall muscles and giving the stomach a flatter look, it is popular with those who have lost a significant amount of weight or who are post-pregnancy. However, along with the plentiful cosmetic benefits, a tummy tuck also offers potential medical benefits for patients with certain health conditions.
#1: Stress Urinary Incontinence
When there is too much pressure on your bladder, it can result in stress urinary incontinence. This condition causes uncontrollable bladder leakage from actions such as sneezing, laughing, exercising and coughing. While the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence can be treated without surgery, it has been found in some patients that undergoing a tummy tuck can help to relieve pressure on the bladder and urethra. Since this condition commonly affects women after they give birth, post-pregnancy women can benefit both cosmetically and medically from a tummy tuck.
#2: Back Pain
After pregnancy or significant weight loss, you may experience an increase in back pain due to strained and weakened stomach muscles. When a tummy tuck is performed excess fat is removed, the abdomen is flattened and weakened muscles are tightened which can result in additional abdominal support that may help to relieve uncomfortable back pain.
#3: Body Posture
Once your abdominal muscles have been tightened and your back pain has been alleviated, an added benefit may be an improvement in body posture as well as better spine support and alignment.
It’s important to note, because a tummy tuck works to remove small pockets of unwanted fat, some patients may falsely believe that this surgery can be used for weight loss. Only a certain amount of fat is safe to remove during a tummy tuck which means this procedure cannot significantly reduce your weight or serve as a way to improve weight-related ailments such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels or diabetes.
Even if you are considering a tummy tuck for cosmetic reasons, the extra medical benefits are an added bonus for some to keep in mind. If you are interested in learning more about abdominoplasty and what the qualities of a good candidate are, schedule a consultation with Atlanta Plastic Surgery at one of our Atlanta, Midtown, Cumming or Canton area locations. Additionally, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more plastic surgery insights.
