According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 128,000 tummy tucks were performed in 2015 alone. This number has increased by one hundred and four percent since the year 2000. While this procedure can be beneficial to many patients, it’s important for interested individuals to keep a few things in mind before beginning the treatment process. Here are some considerations you need to mull over before undergoing an abdominoplasty.

Your Current Weight and Shape

A tummy tuck procedure is used to trim away excess skin and tighten it over the stomach and abdomen. It’s not designed to remove excess fat in the area. If you still have more weight to lose, you may want to wait until you’ve achieved your goal weight and have maintained it before considering surgery. If you just can’t seem to whittle the last few pounds off, you can talk to your surgeon about combining a tummy tuck with liposuction to get the contour you desire.

Your Overall Health

While you don’t need to be in perfect health to have elective cosmetic surgery like a tummy tuck, you do need to be in good general health. If you are diabetic, anemic, hypertensive or have other health conditions, your family doctor can work with your plastic surgeon. Together, they can form a plan to keep you safe during surgery. If you’re not a good candidate due to health reasons, there are usually other, less invasive treatment options available.

Your Future Reproductive Plans

If you are female and are considering carrying a child in the future, you will want to wait until after you are completely done having children to get a tummy tuck. While having a tummy tuck doesn’t affect fertility, the growing child will likely stretch the skin out of shape again. This would necessitate a second surgery to undo the damage. Some women also say the scar is painful or tight during pregnancy.

If you’re unhappy with the look and feel of your tummy and are considering elective surgery to tighten and smooth the contour, there are plenty of things that decide your suitability for the procedure. By carefully considering your body, lifestyle, health and future plans, you can make the best decision for you. Contact Wendell Perry, MD today if you’d like more information about an abdominoplasty procedure, or if you’re interested in scheduling a consultation appointment to see if you qualify for treatment.