Contouring the Abdomen During a Tummy Tuck Offers the Best Results

When a woman becomes pregnant, there’s a good chance her abdomen will never be the same. A mother would never trade her children for a great, youthful abdomen, but why not have both? Kids and a youthful stomach!

Dr. Daniel Maman of New York City considers the abdominoplasty procedure – or tummy tuck – to be a truly transformative operation, effectively reversing damage caused by pregnancies and massive weight loss. Maman seeks more than just the removal of skin and tightening of the muscles, his practice aims to improve contour, the trait of the abdomen that can define a woman’s entire figure.

By Daniel Y. Maman, MD
and Adam McMillon
The Plastic Surgery Channel

A tummy tuck is for treating loose skin and muscles, not necessarily fat

Due in part to the fact that “tummy tuck” is a catchy phrase, the average person casually connects the procedure with weight-loss surgery. “I think a common misconception is that a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty operation, is for weight-reduction or overweight patients,” explains Dr. Maman. “But actually, the ideal candidate is someone who has a lot of loose skin, particularly after bearing children.”

Beyond loose skin, many women suffer from loss of strength in their abdomen, a condition caused by muscle separation during pregnancy. In addition, fat pockets may appear that seem impossible to get rid of, no matter the level of diet and exercise.

“My operation involves two things: tailoring the skin and contouring the abdominal wall, in addition to liposuction,” describes Maman. “That separation of muscles resulting from pregnancy… There is no exercise in the world that is going to restore those muscles back to mid-line. A tummy tuck procedure allows us to bring those muscles back to the most functional position so that patients not only look better, but can exercise more efficiently.”

Body contour is king

With loose skin removed and abdominal muscles repaired, a tummy tuck may appear to be complete. For many it would be, but Maman chooses to make sure that the contour of the abdomen is not only restored, but perhaps even improved.

“Most of the abdominoplasty results that I’ve seen have a very flat, plain affect to them,” says Maman. “A very simple reduction of skin along the bottom of the incision. [Our practice] takes it to the next level by contouring the abdomen wall and adding liposculpting to certain parts of the procedure to provide that very defined, athletic look to the abdomen.”

After all, contour is behind much of what causes attraction. Sure, a tummy tuck could get rid of that loose skin and restore your muscles, but taking it to the next level with contouring will achieve an attractive, complete look.

“The outcomes that we get are one of the most dramatic of any procedures,” explains Maman. “[Patients] not only look better, they feel stronger and their contour is better. They’re able to wear clothing that they couldn’t wear before and bikinis can be worn on the beach with the incisions hidden. Overall satisfaction from abdominoplasty procedures is one of the highest of any of the procedures that we do.”