April 19, 2017 | Liposuction, Tummy tuck
3 minute read
A spare tire or a muffin top might be just what you need when you’re stranded or starving, but when one of them inflates your midsection or spills over your jeans, it never saves the day. No matter what you call it, excess abdominal fat is uncomfortable and unflattering. Sagging skin, stretch marks, or weak abdominal muscles also contribute to a frumpy, protruding appearance that only surgery can fix. Depending on several factors, either a tummy tuck or liposuction can restore your silhouette. Dr. Bonaldi will best determine the procedure that can meet your needs.
Do you have weak or separated abdominal muscles?
Pregnancy or significant weight gain can stretch the abdominal muscles (a condition called diastasis recti) and expand the abdominal wall, resulting in a wider waistline. Dr. Bonaldi can evaluate your abdominal muscles to see if there is any separation or muscle weakness. If that is the case, he is likely to recommend a tummy tuck, which is the only procedure that will restore separated abdominal muscles and provide the firm foundation for a slender abdomen.
Do you have any excess skin?
If you have lost a significant amount of weight or experienced pregnancy, you likely have excess abdominal skin. No diet, exercise regimen, expensive cream, or even liposuction treatment can effectively reduce it. In fact, since liposuction only removes excess fat, it can make sagging skin appear worse. The tummy tuck provides a tight, smooth abdominal appearance by removing the excess skin. Stretch marks can also be removed during a tummy tuck if they fall in line with the skin that is excised during surgery.
What kind of fat do you have?
Your candidacy for either liposuction or a tummy tuck can depend on the kind of fat you have: subcutaneous or visceral. Subcutaneous fat is like an “apron” of fat that lies just beneath the skin. It can be pinched and pulled, and it feels flabby and soft. Subcutaneous fat can successfully be removed with liposuction. Alternatively, visceral fat surrounds the organs and cannot be removed with liposuction or a tummy tuck. Many who have visceral fat have a protruding abdomen or “beer belly” that is hard, round, and may feel hollow to the touch. Those with excess visceral fat can typically see improvement with a tummy tuck, but the best results are achieved when the patient naturally reduces this fat as much as possible before the procedure. Fortunately, visceral fat is proven to be easier and faster to lose than stubborn subcutaneous fat.
The procedure that is right for you can best be determined during your initial consultation with Dr. Bonaldi. To schedule your appointment, please call (775) 828-7400 or fill out our online contact form today.
