Tummy Tuck Surgery Equals Better Sports!
By C. Downey © 2008
PlasticSurgery.com Staff Writer.
Some patients seek out a plastic surgeon who can not only make them look better but can improve the body's function and performance.
That was the case for L.R., a tummy tuck patient of Denver plastic surgeon John Millard, M.D.
"At five-foot-three, I have a small frame but am very athletic," says L.R., who asked to remain unidentified for medical privacy. "While I do have three children, I'm extremely fit and athletic. I like to snow board, play women's soccer and take long hikes through the mountains."
Tummy Tuck Before and After
Patient L.R. shows her bulging tummy after three pregnancies, left. Her after photo, right shows the results of her tummy tuck six months, post-op. (Photos, courtesy of John Millard, M.D.)
However, the effects of childbirth for L.R. included a sagging and protruding stomach that belied her excellent physical conditioning and prowess. To hide and cover her abdomen, L.R. began wearing overly large men's shirts and baggy sweaters.
She found that childbirth had made some internal changes, too. In addition to stretching the skin of her tummy, her pregnancies had also stretched, separated, and weakened her stomach muscles. No amount of exercise, dieting or sit-ups could repair or make the muscles stronger.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
"I work as a physical therapist so I know how important a person's core strength is," L.R. says. "If your stomach muscles are weak, the condition will eventually affect your back muscles, too."
Men can suffer, as well. Stomach muscles can also be separated by gaining, and then losing, a large amount of weight, so males can also be candidates for a tummy tuck. Technically known as abdominoplasty, this body contouring procedure creates a better-looking, flatter stomach by removing excess skin and some fat, in addition to surgically rejoining the separated stomach muscles.
Tummy Tuck Scars
A tummy tuck requires a hip-to-hip incision in most cases and leaves a long scar running across the lower abdomen. However, most plastic surgeons thoughtfully place the incision under the "bikini line" for the scar to be covered by swim wear and most undergarments.
“To hide and cover my stomach, I began wearing overly large men's shirts and baggy sweaters.”
L.R. first came across Dr. Millard because her best friend, Lisa, works at the practice. Studying the doctor's credentials further, L.R. learned that Dr. Millard is board certified in plastic surgery, has many local hospital privileges, a huge amount of tummy tuck before and after pictures, as well as a list of former patients whom she could call for a reference.
Tummy Tuck Recovery
L.R. had the procedure in January, 2007. While many tummy tuck patients spend the first night after surgery in a hospital, none was required for L.R because she was in such excellent physical health.
"I was back at work in two weeks, feeling fine," L.R. says. "At six months after the procedure, the scar across my abdomen is still reddish but fading and I'm still seeing changes in my tummy."
“My stomach is now flat as a board and I can fee and use the extra strength while playing the sports I enjoy. ”
L.R. won't claim she has a six-pack of rippling, chiseled, and toned stomach muscles but she does agree her mid-section can boasts at least a "four-pack."
"My whole waist went down an inch and I can wear the tightest fitting clothes available," she says. "My stomach is now flat as a board and I can feel and use the extra strength while playing the sports I enjoy.
"I know I'm no longer running the risk of back injuries and I feel like I'm even in better shape than ever," she says.