A tummy tuck is a big step for those looking to address excess abdominal skin and fat while achieving a firmer, more defined midsection. At Tarola Plastic Surgery in Nashville, TN, we perform tummy tucks with careful attention to your specific concerns, making sure our approach aligns with your goals.
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck. This surgery requires a thorough assessment to determine if it is the most appropriate choice for the individual. We are committed to guiding patients toward the procedure that best addresses their specific concerns, prioritizing both safety and desired outcomes in every recommendation we make.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, involves removing extra skin and fat from the abdominal area while tightening weakened or separated muscles. This surgery can create a firmer, more toned look, especially for individuals who have experienced major weight changes or pregnancy. During the procedure, the abdominal wall is carefully reconstructed, which not only refines the waistline but also addresses muscle laxity that exercise alone may not resolve.
Your Guide to Tummy Tuck Candidacy
Physical Health Considerations
Before considering a tummy tuck, we carefully evaluate your overall health because this surgery is one of the more invasive options. Good candidates are in stable physical condition without any major health issues that could impact healing. Health factors such as blood pressure, heart health, and chronic conditions are essential considerations.
Weight and Body Mass Index
Maintaining a stable weight within a healthy body mass index (BMI) range is also important for tummy tucks. While this procedure can remove excess skin and some fat, it isn’t a weight-loss solution. Ideal candidates have already reached a weight they can sustain and are close to their target weight. For those actively working on weight management, we recommend stabilizing your weight before considering this procedure.
Skin Elasticity and Abdominal Muscles
Healthy skin elasticity can help make your results smoother, but patients with concerns like stretch marks or loose skin can still be great candidates. Our tummy tucks can improve the appearance of stretch marks if they are located on the excess skin being removed which makes your skin look more toned. This surgery is also ideal for patients who are experiencing abdominal separation, often an effect of pregnancy. If you have diastasis recti and are prohibited from certain types of exercises that can make the problem worse, this can often be resolved with a tummy tuck.
Lifestyle Factors
Your lifestyle, including exercise habits, diet, and alcohol or tobacco use are all considerations for tummy tuck candidacy. A commitment to a healthy lifestyle supports a smoother recovery and helps you maintain results long-term. Smoking, in particular, can complicate healing, so we have our patients avoid tobacco both before and after surgery. We’ll discuss these factors with you to assess how they might impact your recovery and results.
Family Planning and Pregnancy
For women considering a tummy tuck, we take family planning into account. Future pregnancies can affect the results of the surgery, especially since abdominal muscles are tightened during the procedure. If you plan to have more children, it may be beneficial to wait until your family is complete since pregnancy can stretch the abdominal area again and undo the effects of the surgery.
Age as a Factor
While age isn’t a strict limitation for tummy tuck surgery, it can affect factors like skin elasticity and muscle tone. We evaluate each patient on an individual basis rather than setting an age cut-off since overall health and lifestyle tend to matter more than age alone. Many patients over 40, or even 50, are excellent candidates due to their overall wellness and commitment to health.
Desire for Combination Surgeries
Some patients opt to combine their tummy tuck with other breast and body procedures, such as breast lifts or implant procedures. This approach, often called a “mommy makeover,” allows for more comprehensive body contouring in a single recovery period. If you’re interested in multiple areas of improvement, we’ll discuss how these procedures can be combined to suit your goals, making sure the plan aligns with safe surgical practices and achievable outcomes.
Realistic Expectations and Goals
We emphasize the importance of realistic goals and expectations. While a tummy tuck can enhance your abdominal area, we want you to understand the procedure’s limits and how it aligns with your body shape and structure. We’ll go over what a tummy tuck can achieve for your body type and clarify how it fits with your goals.
Holistic Wellness Considerations
We look beyond physical health to consider your mental and emotional readiness for surgery. Both are important in your overall experience and your recovery. This holistic view helps us recommend procedures in a way that supports your overall wellness and ensures the timing feels right for you.
What to Expect From Your Consultation Process
- A Medical History Review: We’ll start by reviewing your health history, including any past surgeries, medications, and conditions that may impact your ability to undergo tummy tucks safely.
- A Discussion of Your Goals: Next, we’ll discuss what you hope to achieve from a tummy tuck. Understanding your vision allows us to align the treatment plan with realistic expectations and suggest the options that best address your concerns.
- A Physical Examination: A physical exam helps us evaluate the current state of your abdominal area, including skin elasticity and muscle tone.
- A Review of Similar Cases: We’ll look at before-and-after photos of patients with similar body types to give you a clearer idea of what we can do in your situation. This visual comparison helps you understand the typical outcomes and refine your expectations.
- A Discussion of Surgery Options: We’ll go over different levels of tummy tuck procedures, from a mini tummy tuck for minor adjustments to a full abdominoplasty that addresses more severe concerns. If needed, we can also incorporate other procedures, such as liposuction for contouring or a breast lift to balance your features.
- A Review of Typical Recovery and Aftercare: We’ll discuss the general timeline and aftercare requirements to see how this fits into your schedule. We want to make sure you’re prepared for the healing process and will give you the support you need during that time.
- Review of Cost and Financing Options: We’ll also go over the financial aspect, including the cost of the procedure and available financing options. We will provide you with all the information upfront so there are no surprises and you can plan accordingly.
Find Out If You Are a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck
Dr. Tarola’s expertise in abdominoplasty reflects his focus on achieving excellent surgical results and supporting patients throughout their experience. With a tummy tuck at Tarola Plastic Surgery, we carefully address both muscle and skin concerns to help you achieve a smoother, more defined midsection. If you’re considering a tummy tuck in Nashville, Murfreesboro, or any of the surrounding areas, please contact us at (615) 624-8914 or visit to complete our online form.
