THE TUMMY TUCK’S 4 SURPRISING MEDICAL BENEFITS
Toned, tight abs are envy-inducing, probably because they are so hard to achieve. More than 100,000 patients around the U.S. turn to a tummy tuck every year to achieve a flat, toned tummy. What these men and women may not know is that the cosmetic benefits of a tummy tuck are just the tip of the iceberg. There are numerous health and medical benefits that you’ll enjoy in addition to your aesthetic transformation.
Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a procedure particularly beneficial to people who have lost significant amounts of weight, women who have given birth, and patients that are getting older. These life events cause abdominal changes, including a weakening and sagging of the abdominal musculature, a loss of structure, function, and integrity of the core, and loose skin.
A tummy tuck improves the appearance of the midsection by removing excess skin and tissue to create a flatter, tighter stomach. The process also addresses the functional issues associated with a weak and stretched out core.
As you consider abdominoplasty in Dallas, Texas, use this information to better understand how the procedure will both medically and cosmetically benefit you.
THE ROLE OF THE ABDOMINAL REGION
The functional center of our body, our abdomen supports our backs, maintains the position of our abdominal organs, and helps us breathe. When the structure of our abdomen begins to fail, so too does its’ function.
Life events such as pregnancy, old age, and recovering from obesity compromise the abdominal structure. These changes can compromise functionality, resulting in medical conditions that you may not realize are related to a weakened core. A weak abdominal region can result in a variety of health issues including bad posture, back pain, stress urinary incontinence, and ventral hernias.
MEDICAL BENEFITS OF A TUMMY TUCK
During a tummy tuck, the muscles of the abdomen are realigned, repositioned, and reinforced. This reinforcement often resolves or significantly improves other health conditions.
RESOLVE BAD POSTURE
The muscles of the abdomen are essential to maintaining an erect spine. When they are weak, the spine begins to bend, and your posture droops.
After a tummy tuck, the abdomen musculature is tightened and reinforced, which improves strength. This muscle tightening enables your abdominal muscles to provide the structural support necessary to hold your spine straight. Patients find it is easier to stand up straight, with their shoulders back, just like Grandma lovingly reminded them to do during childhood. Furthermore, improved posture minimizes potential injury to the neck, shoulders, or back.
DECREASE BACK PAIN
It is estimated that up to 90% of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives – a fact that contributes to back pain being one of the significant causes of disability and lifestyle restrictions in Dallas. Weak abdominal muscles contribute significantly to back pain, causing spasms and muscular imbalances.
The tummy tuck pulls the abdominal muscles closer together, and thus allows them to better function as a whole unit and provide the necessary support to the back.
PREVENT AND FIX VENTRAL HERNIAS
A ventral hernia is a medical term for intestinal protrusion through the abdominal wall. This protrusion creates a bump, and if left untreated can lead to serious medical complications. Though a hernia can occur for many reasons, a weak abdominal wall is frequently a contributing factor.
With abdominoplasty, abdominal muscles, that might have been weakened by pregnancy or abdominal surgeries such as C-sections or an appendectomy, are given back their natural structure and integrity. Once this is achieved, the hernia is pushed back into place, and hernias become far less likely in the future.
REDUCE STRESS URINARY INCONTINENCE
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) occurs when there is abnormal pressure exerted on the bladder or urethra, which leads to a loss of voluntary bladder control. Patients with SUI often experience loss of bladder control when engaging in activities such as laughing, lifting, coughing, or sneezing.
SUI occurs when the abdominal organs are not appropriately supported due to weak musculature. The reshaping and restructuring function of a tummy tuck procedure puts all the organs back in their respective places, and by doing so reduces the pressure exerted on the bladder and urethra.
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the above medical issues, and are also concerned about the appearance of your stomach, a tummy tuck by an elite plastic surgeon such as Dr. Evan Beale is worth considering. Contact Dr. Beale in Dallas, Texas on 972-566-3001 or fill out his online form to book your consultation.