A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery procedure to improve the appearance of the abdominal area. It involves surgically removing excess skin and fat and tightening the abdominal muscles.
While the cosmetic outcomes of a flatter, more toned belly are the main reasons patients seek a tummy tuck, there are also some surprising health benefits that you get from this surgery.
Relieves Back Pain
Individuals who have a significant amount of loose, sagging skin around their abdomen often develop chronic lower back pain. The excess weight and protrusion of the abdomen can cause a swayback posture, which stresses your back. Tightening and flattening the abdomen through a tummy tuck can relieve this strain and back pain for many patients.
Strengthens Core Muscles
With ageing and pregnancy, abdomen muscles can separate and weaken, causing a protruding belly and poor posture. A tummy tuck repairs separated muscles and tightens them, providing more core strength and stability. This allows you to stand taller and straighter. Stronger abdominal muscles also improve balance and coordination.
Treats Stress Urinary Incontinence
For some women, loose stomach muscles and tissue damage from pregnancy and childbirth can cause urinary incontinence. The leakage of urine when laughing, sneezing, or doing activities can be socially embarrassing and frustrating. By tightening those weakened abdominal muscles and surrounding connective tissue, a tummy tuck can help resolve stress urinary incontinence.
Improves Abdominal Hernias
In addition to diastasis recti, a tummy tuck procedure can also repair ventral hernias located in the abdominal wall. These hernias involve a bulge of tissues through an opening of weakness within your abdominal wall muscles. Suturing and reinforcing abdominal wall muscles during a tummy tuck can help flatten these hernias and relieve discomfort.
Resolves Rashes and Infections
Excess, sagging abdominal skin can collect moisture and rub together, causing discomfort. This can lead to rashes, skin infections, and yeast overgrowth under the skin folds. Removing the excess skin during a tummy tuck eliminates these overlapping folds and prevents irritation, inflammation, and infections.
Improves mobility and athletic performance
Carrying around extra belly weight puts strain on the back and joints. This can make everyday movement painful and strenuous. By removing excess fat and tightening muscles, a tummy tuck significantly lightens the load on your skeleton and joints. You may find it much easier to get around and be more active without leg and back pain. Even high-impact exercises like running can become more comfortable.
Improves Metabolism
By removing fat cells in the abdominal area, a tummy tuck may also provide metabolic benefits. Removing this excess fat can lead to improvements in insulin resistance, blood lipids, and other indicators linked to obesity and diabetes. This could translate to better health.
Removes Stretch Marks
Individuals who experience rapid weight gain and loss often develop unsightly stretch marks along the abdomen. A tummy tuck removes this damaged skin containing stretch marks and reveals the smoother abdominal skin underneath. This cosmetic surgery can significantly improve the appearance of the abdomen.
Final Thoughts
A tummy tuck offers ultimate health benefits beyond just a flatter, more toned tummy. By strengthening core muscles, repairing abdominal wall hernias, resolving urinary incontinence, removing excess fat, and eliminating skin rashes and infections, the procedure can improve posture, muscle function, and overall health. Along with the aesthetic enhancement, these wellness benefits make a tummy tuck a worthwhile surgery for the individual.