What is Abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the abdominal region. The goal is to achieve a firmer, flatter, and more defined abdomen. While often performed for cosmetic reasons, a significant body of clinical studies suggests it offers a wide range of medical benefits as well.

 

What Causes Excess Abdominal Fat and a Bloated Belly?

Abdominal fat, or belly fat, is generally caused by the following factors:

• Alcohol Consumption: Increased alcohol consumption leads to weight gain and fat accumulation around the stomach;
• Genetics : Unfortunately, people with a family history of obesity are more likely to gain abdominal fat;
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Being physically inactive can increase the risk of developing abdominal fat;
• Stress: High-pressure situations cause you to release more cortisol (stress hormone). This stimulates your appetite, leading to "stress eating";
• Unhealthy Food Choices: Sugary foods and drinks like cakes, candies, juices, and sodas are a major cause of obesity. This can lead to an increase in the amount of abdominal fat. A high-carbohydrate diet can also contribute to increased abdominal fat;

What are the Health Benefits of Abdominoplasty?

Reduction of Back Pain

It's proven that an abdominoplasty can help relieve back pain. In a study of 214 patients:

• All abdominoplasty methods resulted in a significant improvement in functional symptoms of low back pain;
• For patients who had an excessively low belly and hernia, abdominoplasty satisfactorily eliminated back pain;
• And in a study of patients who underwent abdominoplasty, researchers also observed significant improvements in chronic back pain;

Healing of Abdominal Hernias

Studies also support the beneficial effects of abdominoplasty on abdominal wall hernias. Patients undergoing hernia repair via abdominoplasty found the procedure reduced hernia recurrence with a low risk of complications. Furthermore, in patients suffering from umbilical hernia, a complete abdominoplasty allows for treatment of the condition without any complications.

 

Improves Body Posture

Studies also show that abdominoplasty can help achieve good posture. Researchers reported that this improvement was achieved by tightening the thoracolumbar aponeurosis, a muscle located in the back.

 

May Help Urinary Incontinence

Much evidence also confirms the benefits of abdominoplasty on urinary incontinence, or the involuntary leakage of urine.

In a patient study, all abdominoplasty methods resulted in a significant improvement in functional symptoms of urinary incontinence. For patients who had an excessively low belly and hernia, abdominoplasty reduced their urinary incontinence symptoms after 14 months.

While for patients suffering from stress urinary incontinence, abdominoplasty improves their figure and alleviates the symptoms of the condition.

 

Improves Overall Quality of Life

A convincing number of studies have also shown that abdominoplasty positively impacts patients' quality of life. Researchers observed a significant improvement not only in patients' quality of life and self-esteem but also in their emotional stability. In a study evaluating the impact of abdominoplasty on the quality of life and psychological state of obese patients, a significant improvement in these parameters was also observed.

Most patients who underwent the operation reported not only an improvement in their quality of life and psychological state, but also better sexual relations and a higher satisfaction rate. In another study aimed at evaluating the effects of abdominoplasty on the quality of life and psychological state of women presenting with symptoms of an eating disorder, researchers observed significant improvements across various aspects of health.

May Help Treat Skin Issues Related to Abdominal Wall Skin Laxity

Evidence shows that abdominoplasty not only improves the contour of the abdomen but also helps prevent skin issues that can be caused by loose skin.

A study evaluating the effects of abdominoplasty on elderly, obese women showed that the surgery reduced the incidence of skin problems such as intertrigo.

Intertrigo is a condition that can be characterized by the presence of skin rashes resulting from loose skin constantly rubbing together.

 

Who is a Good Candidate for Abdominoplasty?

The abdominoplasty procedure isn't suitable for everyone, which is why your surgeon will first conduct a thorough assessment of your health during your initial consultation. This not only helps achieve optimal results but also reduces the risk of complications.

 

Generally, the following individuals are considered good candidates for the procedure:

• Healthy Individuals: Heart disease, diabetes, or serious medical conditions can increase the risk of complications;
• Individuals Who Have Undergone Significant Weight Loss: The procedure can help remove excess or loose skin in the abdomen resulting from significant weight loss;
• Individuals Who Have Undergone Liposuction: The procedure can help remove loose skin associated with fat removal;
• Individuals with abdominal fat who have not responded to diet and exercise;
• Women Who Do Not Plan to Become Pregnant: Pregnancy after the procedure will result in stretching of the skin and muscles;
• Individuals with Realistic Expectations: The procedure also has its limitations and may not meet all your cosmetic goals;

 

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