You already know what most people consider the main benefit of having a tummy tuck: a flatter and more toned stomach. And in this blog, we have further discussed how it can help with incontinence after pregnancy. But did you know that the benefits of having tummy tuck surgery don’t stop there? Read on to discover even more health benefits that result from having this procedure.
Reduced Back Problems
Often, when a person has excess or hanging skin on their abdomen, it comes with a slew of back complications. Extra belly fat and weak stomach muscles put added strain on the back, which now acts as the main support for the torso. This can cause back conditions like lordosis (aka “sway back”). Tummy tuck surgery removes the excess skin weighing the body down and also often involves tightening the abdominal muscles, both of which improve abdominal support. This takes much of the strain off of the back muscles, in turn relieving or greatly reducing back pain.
Correction and Prevention of Ventral Hernias
A ventral hernia is a condition where the abdominal wall is weakened and a tear is formed, allowing abdominal tissue or intestines to push through it. This condition is often painful and can have serious complications if left untreated. To correct this condition, many people choose to have ventral hernia surgery at the same time as tummy tuck surgery. Combining these surgeries is smart since the area being exposed and treated for both procedures is the same. And having a tummy tuck surgery either as a combination with hernia repair surgery or as a separate surgery afterwards can help prevent another hernia from forming in the same area in the future, the likelihood of which is far greater after the first occurrence. Tummy tuck surgery helps to prevent future ventral hernias from forming by strengthening the abdominal walls to prevent tearing.
Increased Incentive to Maintain a Healthy Weight
Many tummy tuck patients find that their motivation to maintain a healthy weight is further cemented after having a tummy tuck. In fact, a 2013 study found that bariatric patients who have also had tummy tuck surgery were more likely to keep the weight off, regaining an average of one pound per year, compared to the four pounds regained in that same timeframe by bariatric patients who didn’t also have tummy tuck surgery. And the tummy tuck surgery alone, without weight loss surgery, causes most people to eat less as a result of earlier satiety (feeling full) due to the surgery’s removal of fat cells and tightening of the stomach muscles.
Excited about getting rid of that post-baby bump, that saggy skin after losing weight, or — for you guys out there — that spare tire? To schedule a consultation with Dr. Pugash to discuss whether tummy tuck surgery would be right for you, contact his office at (604) 522-5199.