Myths and Facts About Tummy Tucks

Have you been dreaming of a flatter, more toned stomach but haven’t been able to smooth your belly with diet and exercise alone? An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, may be the solution you’ve been seeking.  

Unfortunately, many myths surround this popular cosmetic procedure, causing many people concern. Board-certified surgeon James J. Chao, MD, FASC, and the team of plastic surgeons at OasisMD Lifestyle Healthcare in San Diego, Encinitas, and Temecula, California, are here to set the record straight. 

Keep reading to learn the facts behind some of the most common tummy-tuck myths! 

Myth: Only women get tummy tucks.

FACT: Many men benefit from tummy tuck surgery. 

It’s true that many women benefit from the tighter abdomen a tummy tuck delivers, largely because of the irreversible changes to their abdomen women experience during pregnancy. But that doesn’t mean that women are the only ones who get tummy tucks. 

Men may not undergo the same physical changes childbearing women do, but losing significant amounts of weight can leave men with excess skin and stubborn fat around the middle. A growing number of men are turning to tummy tuck surgery for help.

Bottom line? No matter your gender, tummy tuck surgery tones and tightens your midsection.   

Myth: You can get the same results with diet and exercise.

FACT: A healthy lifestyle cannot address certain midsection issues, like excess skin.

A healthy diet and regular exercise go a long way in promoting overall health and giving you the body you desire. However, no matter how much dieting and exercise you do, these methods don’t solve all body issues. 

For example, even though dieting may help you lose weight, it doesn’t mean the weight will come off your midsection. You simply can’t target specific areas of the body. And if you have weakened connective tissues and loose skin, no amount of exercise can tighten your abdomen.

In many cases, tummy tuck surgery is the only way to restore your abdomen.  

Myth: You can’t get a tummy tuck past a certain age.

FACT: Healthy men and women of almost any age can be candidates for abdominoplasty. 

It’s true that the majority of people getting tummy tucks are between 35-50, but nearly half are over 50 — with several thousand over 65. In fact, your age is less important than other factors, such as:

• Being in good overall health
• Being a nonsmoker
• Having a stable, healthy body weight
• Having realistic goals and expectations

There is no right or wrong age for a tummy tuck. Your surgeon at OasisMD Lifestyle Healthcare reviews your medical and personal history carefully before recommending any treatment option. 

Myth: Tummy tucks can help you lose weight.

FACT: Tummy tucks are not a weight-loss procedure or bariatric surgery. 

A tummy tuck does help you shed stubborn excess fat in the abdomen, but it isn’t a method for losing weight. In fact, you should be at or close to your ideal weight to qualify for the procedure. 

Depending on your needs, your surgeon may combine your tummy tuck with liposuction to minimize trouble spots that have resisted diet and exercise. This helps boost your results, giving you better abdominal contour and tone.  

But a tummy tuck won’t cause a drastic drop in your weight. You should plan on maintaining your weight after the surgery as significant weight loss or gain impacts the results of your tummy tuck. 

Ready to learn more about tummy tuck surgery and whether it’s right for you? Contact the OasisMD Lifestyle Healthcare office nearest you, or book an appointment online now.