Which qualifies you as a surgical candidate for a tummy tuck?

Tough question...: The ideal candidate for a tummy tuck is a person who meets the following criteria: 1) good overall health 2) at their ideal stable body weight 3) has completed childbearing 4) has loose skin, or muscle stretch as a result of pregnancy or weight changes 5) does not smoke 6) is willing to commit to the lifestyle changes to maintain their new shape 7) has family support to assist with recovery.

2 things to consider: It is for people that feel that their tummy is too far out or hanging down and who want to be able to show their tummy off on occasion. There can be 2 components to a stretched out tummy and those are the abdominal wall or muscles, and the skin on top of it. One or both may need repair and tightening, depending on what the underlying problem is and what ultimately bothers the individual!

Ideal Candidate:  the “ideal” patient for tummy tuck surgery is one who has completed pregnancies, is psycho socially/emotionally/financially stable,  has an excellent social support system surrounding him/her,  is capable of arranging enough recovery time and who has reached a long-term stable weight. Best wishes.

There's a list...: You should have: 1) realistic expectations 2) good family support 3) be finished with childbearing 4) be healthy, and non-smoking 5) have significant abdominal skin laxity and/or muscle diastasis 6) not have upper abdominal incisions from previous operations 7) acceptant of the resulting scar.

Body issues: It can be a very powerful operation. It's for those folks with extra skin and soft tissue. Many who have lost weight and have extra skin want the excess taken away. Some just want to fit into pants better. The abdominal muscles may also have spread out with pregnancy or just over time. The plication sews them back together. This flattens the tummy. See a board certified plastic surgeon.

history & physical: Your plastic surgeon will take a detailed history and perform a physical exam. With this information they will determine whether or not you are a candidate for a tummy tuck. In general patients in good health, with an area of excess redundant abdominal tissue are candidates for tummy tuck surgery.