Hopkins Plastic Surgery

A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure used to remove excess fat and skin. A tummy tuck procedure can also help repair abdominal muscles that have been weakened or separated by pregnancy, extreme weight loss, heredity or aging. A toned stomach is one of the most sought-after attributes for both men and women and a tummy tuck can help you achieve those results.

Tummy Tuck Results

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, approximately 122,000 tummy tucks were performed in the United States in 2008. While both men and women opt for a tummy tuck for various aesthetic reasons, there are tremendous health benefits to this procedure as well. Some benefits of a tummy tuck include:

• Slimmer waistline – a tummy tuck will eliminate a protruding or sagging stomach. You will see a smoother stomach contour, a flatter, firmer belly and a narrower waistline.
• Eliminate stretch marks – many women are self-conscious about stretch marks on their abdomen, especially after a pregnancy. During the procedure, the affected areas may be removed entirely or stretched more tightly to lessen the appearance of stretch marks.
• Excess skin removal – as you age, your skin loses its elasticity and loose skin often results. Unlike liposuction alone, a tummy tuck can remove folds of sagging skin.
• Tighter abdominal muscles – after a pregnancy, and sometimes as a result of aging, the abdominal muscles can begin to separate, a condition known as rectus diastasis. When the damage is severe, only surgery can repair it.
• Belly fat removal – belly fat can be dangerous to a person’s overall health as it may negatively impact adjacent internal muscles.

Please contact Michael S. Hopkins, M.D. and his skilled surgical staff at Plastic Surgery Center, P.C. in Albuquerque, New Mexico if you are considering having a tummy tuck procedure. Dr. Hopkins will be happy to answer all of your tummy tuck questions and help you determine if this is the right procedure for you.