How To Know If a Tummy Tuck Is Right for You?

Should you choose a tummy tuck or liposuction? Or is a nonsurgical procedure such as CoolSculpting® Elite a better option? Knowing which body contouring procedure is right for you—and which ones won’t help you achieve your goals—depends on several factors.

So, how do you know if you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck? At our Des Moines, Iowa, practice, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Carlisle specializes in body contouring and breast enhancement procedures and consults with patients considering tummy tuck surgery.

What Are Your Concerns?

Have you recently lost a significant amount of weight and now have loose abdominal skin? Or did you recently have a baby and can’t get rid of your belly pooch despite working out and eating a healthy diet? Those are common reasons people get abdominoplasty—often called a tummy tuck.

The best body contouring procedure for you depends on your aesthetic goals, your body shape, and if you’re at the weight you want to maintain.

How Do You Know If You’re a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

Men and women who want to reduce stubborn bulges that persist despite exercise are often good candidates for nonsurgical fat reduction treatments such as CoolSculpting Elite. CoolSculpting can be used on nearly any area of the body, including your abdomen, hips, thighs, back, under the chin, and upper arms. One of the biggest advantages of nonsurgical body contouring is that these treatments do not require extensive downtime.

Who Should Not Get a Tummy Tuck?

Some patients may not be good candidates for tummy tuck surgery.

• Abdominoplasty is not a weight loss surgery, so patients should be at a comfortable weight—typically within 15 pounds of their goal weight—before scheduling a tummy tuck.
• People whose weight fluctuates significantly may not benefit from a tummy tuck because weight gain stretches abdominal skin.
• If you’re planning to have more children, you should postpone getting a tummy tuck.
• Individuals with underlying health problems or people who smoke are not good surgical candidates.

The possibility of getting a tummy tuck serves as great motivation for many people to establish healthy habits, hit their weight loss targets, and quit smoking.

If you’re ready to discuss your body contouring options with Dr. Carlisle, use the online form to request a consultation. Or give us a call at (515) 277-5555, and we can help you schedule an appointment.