Body contouring procedures are a great option if you’re looking to enhance your physique and body proportions. However, not everyone is an ideal candidate for these surgeries. For example, a good mini tummy tuck candidate has different goals and physical characteristics than someone considering extensive plastic surgery after weight loss. Learn more about choosing the best procedure for your needs and what to expect below.
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Who Is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is ideal for patients who have excess skin and fat around the abdomen, often due to significant weight loss or pregnancy. In some cases, the abdominal muscles may have stretched or separated, a condition known as diastasis recti.
Candidates should be at a relatively stable weight, at least 6 months post-partum or post-breastfeeding (with no plans to have further children), and be seeking to improve the areas above and below the bellybutton.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Mini Tummy Tuck?
A mini tummy tuck, by contrast, focuses on the lower abdomen alone. It does not treat muscle separation and is ideal for patients with a small amount of excess skin and fat below the bellybutton. If your concerns are more extensive or if you have poor skin elasticity, a full tummy tuck will likely be the better choice for you.
Get To Know Your Body Contouring Options
| Tummy Tuck | Mini Tummy Tuck | Liposuction | Body Lift | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Excess skin and fat; diastasis recti | Laxity and fat on the lower abdomen | Localized fat deposits | Excess skin and fat after weight loss |
| Anesthesia | General | General or Local | General or Local | General |
| Incisions | Long incision, lower abdomen; incision encircling the navel | Short incision, lower abdomen | Varies – small | Varies – extensive |
| Surgery Time | 3 to 4 hours | 1 to 2 hours | 1 to 3 hours | 3 to 5 hours |
| Initial Recovery | 2 to 4 weeks | 1 to 2 weeks | 1 to 2 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Full Recovery | 6 to 8 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks | 4 to 6 weeks | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Final Results | 6 to 12 months | 3 to 6 months | 3 to 6 months | 6 to 12 months |
Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?
The best candidate for liposuction has localized fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise. Patients should also have good skin elasticity and be at or near their ideal weight. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure, so patients should have a realistic understanding of what the procedure can achieve: targeted fat reduction across the body in controlled amounts.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Body Lift?
A body lift treats significant skin laxity and excess fat across multiple areas of the body. This surgery typically follows massive weight loss and addresses both cosmetic concerns and functional limitations caused by overhanging skin.
Lower body lift patients likely have sagging skin on the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks, while upper body lift patients will seek to treat the breasts/chest, arms, and upper back. To ensure the best and safest results, it’s important for individuals seeking a body lift to maintain a stable weight for at least six months before surgery.
Learn more about body lift surgery in our related blog post.
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When Is Someone Not a Good Candidate for Surgery?
Once you understand what each procedure treats, it’s important to know when a procedure isn’t right for you. Generally speaking, plastic surgery of any kind should not be performed on individuals who:
- Smoke
- Are significantly overweight
- Suffer from chronic conditions that may increase their surgical risks
- Have a history of poor wound healing
- Experience significant weight fluctuations
- Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
Candidates should also have realistic expectations about their chosen procedure. The four surgeries listed above can enhance your body contours, but they are not substitutes for weight loss or healthy lifestyle choices.
Other Considerations
When deciding whether to pursue plastic surgery, here are a few other factors to keep in mind:
Scarring
All surgical procedures involve some degree of scarring. Your plastic surgeon will aim to place the incisions as discreetly as possible. While scarring is a natural consequence of surgery, your scars will mature and fade over time. The best plastic surgeons will have protocols in place to minimize visible scarring and ensure proper healing.
Maintenance of Results
While your surgical results are long-lasting, future weight gain or pregnancies may affect the overall results. However, keeping a stable weight and leading a healthy lifestyle can help you enjoy your slimmer figure and more defined contours for years to come.
Your Choice of Surgeon
Selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in body contouring procedures is crucial to achieving a safe outcome and optimal aesthetic results. A qualified plastic surgeon will evaluate your health, discuss your goals, and recommend the most appropriate procedure for your needs.
Always do your homework when choosing a plastic surgeon. View their before and after pictures, read their reviews, and always meet with them for a consultation so you can build a rapport and determine whether they are the right fit for you.
Start Your Body Contouring Journey
Your path to a sleek physique and more proportionate figure begins with a personal consultation. If you would like to discuss your body contouring options with one of the world’s leading experts, please request a consultation or call Stoker Plastic Surgery at (310) 300-1779.
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