When to Consider a Tummy Tuck

Are you dissatisfied with your belly and wondering if a tummy tuck could help? You aren’t alone! A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures in America, with many men and women turning to it to dramatically change the shape of their bellies and restore their confidence.  

If sit ups, crunches, and dietary changes haven’t given you the tummy you desire, experienced surgeon James J. Chao, MD, and the skilled providers at OasisMD in San Diego, Encinitas, and Temecula, California, can help. We offer tummy tucks to help address excess abdominal fat and skin, loose abdominal muscles, and scarring or belly protrusion after pregnancy.       

Our team at OasisMD is dedicated to helping you look your best, so you can feel your best, inside and out. If you aren’t sure if a tummy tuck is right for you, here’s when it may be time to consider this popular procedure. 

You have excess abdominal skin

There’s nothing more frustrating than working hard to get your body back and not seeing the results you want. If you’ve been pregnant or have lost a lot of excess weight, you may have noticed that the skin on your tummy hasn’t bounced back, leaving you with loose, saggy skin. 

When you have a tummy tuck, Dr. Chao removes the excess skin and skillfully connects the remaining abdominal skin, so you’re left with a flatter, sag-free stomach. 

It’s important to note that tummy tucks aren’t designed to help you lose weight. This procedure. works best for patients already at and willing to maintain a healthy weight. 

Your tummy muscles are loose

Pregnancy wreaks havoc on your body, but for some women, the damage lasts well past delivery. Diastasis recti is a condition in which the abdominal muscles separate and don’t come back together correctly. 

This creates a pouch or protruding belly — no matter how many sit ups or crunches you do! In fact, abdominal exercises can actually make your condition worse. During your tummy tuck, Dr. Chao repairs and tightens these muscles, correcting the damage and improving your tummy.   

You want to reshape your belly

Diet and exercise aren’t always enough to create a flat, shapely tummy. Many people have unsightly lumps, bumps, and paunches that resist changing, even with regular workouts and a healthy diet. 

During your tummy tuck, Dr. Chao removes small pockets of abdominal fat in addition to repairing any loose stomach muscles. The result? A slim, shapely tummy that appears toned and smooth. 

You have unsightly abdominal scars

Have you had one or more C-sections or an open hysterectomy? These procedures can leave unsightly and noticeable scars on your tummy. Dr. Chao uses a tummy tuck to help diminish the appearance of these obvious scars, and can sometimes even help stretch marks become less apparent.     

How can I learn more about whether a tummy tuck is right for me?

Tummy tucks are a popular cosmetic procedure, helping hundreds of thousands of Americans look and feel their best. That doesn’t, however, mean a tummy tuck is necessarily the right option (or only) for you. It’s important to schedule a consultation with a surgeon at OasisMD to evaluate your goals and current condition. 

Our team determines the best treatment options to meet your unique needs, making sure any questions or concerns you have are answered and addressed. We offer a full line of plastic surgery services, and we can help you get the body you’ve been working so hard to achieve. 

Curious to learn if a tummy tuck is right for you? Contact one of the OasisMD offices in San Diego, Temecula, or Encinitas, or book an appointment online now!