Complements Helping you reach your weight loss goals

01/28/14

By Emily Peterson, MD, reconstructive & cosmetic surgery, Mount Nittany Physician Group

For most of us, our New Year’s resolutions are still in the forefront of our minds. If your resolution is to lose weight and get in shape, and you are close to your goal weight but find that you have sagging or stretched skin, a tummy tuck may be an option.

An abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a procedure that removes sagging skin, fat and some stretch marks from the abdomen. It can help tighten separated abdominal muscles that result from pregnancy or weight gain to provide a flatter stomach.

If you find that you have trouble areas of fat on your abdomen, hips or sides that do not respond to diet and exercise, liposuction may be a better option. Liposuction can also be combined with abdominoplasty to improve your results.

Neither option is a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, but both procedures can enhance your appearance. Candidates include men and women who are nonsmokers, healthy and are at a stable weight. Certain prior abdominal surgeries may put you at high risk, which should be discussed during your consultation.