An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a body contouring procedure that slims down the midsection by removing excess stomach skin and tightening underlying abdominal muscles.* This surgery offers physical benefits such as increasing patient comfort when walking and eliminating skin infections or other irritation within folds of skin.* However, the psychological effects of body contouring procedures following weight loss are another important benefit that shouldn’t be underestimated.*
The Psychological Effects
Whether through weight loss surgery or lifestyle changes, losing a large amount of weight is no easy feat and is an accomplishment to be proud of. However, patients who lose a lot of weight often remain frustrated and unhappy with their bodies due to the excess, sagging skin that remains and keeps them from enjoying their slim-down success.
Body contouring surgeries after weight loss, like tummy tucks, help the skin conform to the body’s new shape and size.* Following plastic surgery after weight loss, many patients report that they feel more confident, fit in the types of clothing they want to wear and feel happier with the reflection they see in the mirror.
Prolonging Weight Loss Success
It’s not surprising that many of the patients who get tummy tucks do so after losing a substantial amount of weight, which usually leaves behind folds of excess, sagging skin. Researchers have found that these types of patients are more likely to keep the weight off than weight loss patients who do not have body contouring surgery. These findings are behind a new push in the healthcare industry for insurers to recognize the health-based benefits of body contouring procedures as far more than just cosmetic,* and cover them under their policies.
*This information is for education only, and is not meant as a guarantee of results. Your results may vary.
Author: Dr. Francesco Campanile
Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Francesco Campanile is a cosmetic surgeon in Denver who is focused on body contouring and breast enhancement. Time and time again, the women and men who choose Dr. Campanile say that they’ve found “the whole package” – a doctor who cares deeply about the quality of their results and has the skill to achieve excellence.
