A flat, toned stomach is one of the most sought-after attributes for both men and women in society today. This is an aesthetically-pleasing body characteristic, which may be one of the reasons why there were approximately 122,000 tummy tuck (also called abdominoplasty) procedures performed in the United States in 2008, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

A tummy tuck procedure is a surgical method to remove excess fat and skin from the abdominal area on healthy, active patients. The surgery can also help to repair abdominal muscles that have become weak or separated due to pregnancy, extreme weight loss, heredity or aging. While tummy tucks can help both men and women achieve more contoured, attractive abdomens, this is not a procedure that should be viewed as a quick, easy way to lose abdominal weight.

Tummy Tuck Advantages

The number one advantage of having a tummy tuck is that the procedure will eliminate a protruding or sagging stomach and may create a smaller waistline. Often this area is the hardest to tone, especially for women who are trying to regain their pre-pregnancy bodies and people who have a great deal of excess loose skin after major weight loss, such as bariatric surgery.

Sometimes stretch marks can be eliminated by tummy tuck surgery. The affected areas may be removed entirely during the process or stretched tighter to lessen the stretch marks.

Belly fat can be dangerous to a person’s overall health. This type of fat can negatively impact nearby internal organs and increase a person’s chances of developing heart disease, diabetes or other health complications. Removal of abdominal fat can keep a person healthy from the inside out.

Feeling good in clothing or even a bathing suit may help to increase that person’s overall self-confidence. A flat belly can make a person walk taller, stand straighter and project a more positive attitude.

The effects of a tummy tuck can last for many years, providing the patient continues to follow a good, healthy lifestyle. Exercise and a balanced diet will keep the abdominal muscles strong and flat.

Tummy Tuck Risks and Complications

A tummy tuck is a serious, invasive surgery that should not be entered into lightly. The surgical procedure involves an incision along the bikini line that will run from hipbone to hipbone in many cases. There are different types of tummy tucks that may require smaller incisions. Regardless of the incision size, the patient must allow ample time to heal properly before performing certain activities. Even with proper healing, the patient should expect to have a scar along the incision line, which may or may not fade over time.

Other risks include:

* Infection
* Bleeding
* Accumulation of fluid or blood under the skin
* Anesthesia dangers
* Blood clots in the legs and/or lungs
* Improper healing of wounds
* Damage to nerves, resulting in sensation changes
* Persistent pain
* Changes in skin color
* Leg swelling

All surgical procedures carry risks and, while the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band in general carries fewer risks than many other forms of weight loss surgery, there are nevertheless risks which you must be aware of before deciding to undergo surgery. Here we look at some of the general risks but it should be emphasized that each patient will also encounter risks specific to their own case and these will be explained to you by your surgeon.

Gastric band risks can be broadly divided into two categories – the risks associated with the surgery itself and the risk of post-operative complications.

The first and most important risk is that of death which can occur either during or following surgery. In the case of gastric band surgery this risk is extremely low and indeed, Read the rest of this entry »

In the United States today, approximately 31% of the population (59 million people) is obese, defined as roughly 30 or more pounds over a healthy weight. Nearly 65% of the US population is considered either obese or overweight, defined as weighing 10 to 30 pounds over a healthy weight. Numerous health problems can arise as a result of obesity, including diabetes, heart disease, and many others. There are a variety of ways to achieve weight loss, all starting with the self commitment to improve how we both look and feel. A proper balanced, healthful diet combined with regular exercise is the cornerstone of weight loss and achieving health and fitness. Surgical procedures, known as bariatric surgery, surgery for weight loss, or obesity surgery, can also be performed. Read the rest of this entry »

Liposuction is a surgical procedure for removal of fat from areas in the body like the abdomen, hips, the buttocks and arms. This procedure can be used in instances where traditional weight loss programs will not help. It is not classified as a major surgery in the medical circles, but the person who undergoes it knows better.

Unlike other procedures, liposuction is treated as a cosmetic surgery by most people. The recovery time for a patient after liposuction depends upon the kind of surgery performed and the extensiveness of the procedure. Read the rest of this entry »

When a persons armpits are constantly sweaty, it can be very embarrassing for them not to mention very uncomfortable. Recent studies have released statistics that there are almost 8 million Americans who suffer from overly sweaty armpits. Many natural treatments and remedies are available to help with this problem, some of which are quite effective. There are also some medical procedures available which are meant to cure you from sweaty armpits. These medical procedures are invasive and the decision to undergo these procedures it not one to be made lightly. It is advisable that you consult thoroughly with your doctor and explore all of the options available to you before deciding on an invasive method. Doing this will help you to make a well informed decision. Read the rest of this entry »