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Tummy Tucks are Still the Best Choice for Unwanted Belly Fat
Dec 2, 2020
It’s never been easier to modify your looks. With the advent of new technologies and modern science, the choices for treatments and procedures have skyrocketed over the last few years. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 17.5 million Americans get work done on their face and body every year, and it’s a rising trend.
And the options have increased steadily as well. From noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments to surgical solutions, you can choose to make slight or dramatic changes to almost any body part. So how do you know which option is best when you want to firm up your belly?
Dr. Kiran Polavarapu at Polavarapu Plastic Surgery in Fort Worth, Texas fields questions like this every day, and people throughout the state rely on her expertise when making decisions about which procedure will help them reach their aesthetic goals. When it comes to belly issues, the right procedure for the job depends entirely on which physical problems you’re trying to correct. Here’s how you know that a tummy tuck is the right choice.
Understanding your belly
If your belly is pudgy and protruding, and you want to flatten it out, you need to know exactly what you’re dealing with. There are two types of fat that accumulate in your belly: subcutaneous fat lies just under the surface of your skin, and visceral fat dwells deeper inside, forming around your organs.
Visceral fat is harder to lose and puts you at risk for several serious health conditions, including hypertension, heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, and even premature death.
Plastic surgery should never be considered a short cut to weight loss. The healthiest way to eliminate extra fat is through diet and exercise. But there are many circumstances that may cause your belly fat — especially your visceral fat — to remain despite these efforts, and that’s where our procedures can help you achieve better health and a slimmer silhouette.
If excess fat is the only concern, you may want to consider liposuction. Dr. Polavarapu’s advanced techniques can precisely target your problem areas and deliver better results with far less downtime than older procedures. However, liposuction won’t solve other issues that often go hand-in-hand with being overweight.
What tummy tucks do that other procedures don’t
As you age, not only do you accumulate more body fat, but you also begin to lose muscle mass. Ironically, this loss of muscle contributes to your weight gain, because strong, lean muscles help burn fat and calories. In addition to losing mass, your abdominal muscles also become weaker and begin to separate and sag.
During a tummy tuck procedure, also known as abdominoplasty, Dr. Polavarapu addresses your weakened, loose muscle tissue and shores it up so you have a tighter, more toned look post-surgery. Other procedures and treatments target fat loss only, leaving your tummy thinner but still flabby.
Another advantage of a tummy tuck is its ability to address loose skin. If you’ve recently lost a significant amount of weight, or you’ve had several pregnancies over the years and your skin is stretched and hanging off your body, a tummy tuck can remove your excess skin. Fat loss is only the first step in getting your body back in shape. If your skin doesn’t bounce back to its original condition, a tummy tuck can finish the job.
Things to consider before getting a tummy tuck
If you’re generally healthy, are a nonsmoker, and understand the benefits and risks of abdominoplasty, you’re a likely candidate for the procedure. But before committing to the surgery, Dr. Polavarapu discusses your goals and your lifestyle to determine whether you have realistic expectations and understand all your options.
She also talks with you about the details of the procedure so you can properly prepare; learns about your weight loss journey and your vision for your body; and answers all your questions. Once you’re both satisfied that a tummy tuck is right for you, you can schedule your procedure and take the first step toward a flatter, tighter tummy.
To get started, simply call us at 817-615-8576, or contact us online to book your consultation with Dr. Polavarapu.
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