If you're unhappy with the way your stomach looks in a swimsuit or tight clothing, then a tummy tuck might be the answer. A tummy tuck removes excess skin in your abdomen and tightens muscles, so your abdomen is flatter and slimmer than before. This surgery can enhance your appearance and boost your self-confidence, but first you need to find out if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Here are some things to consider.

Current Weight

A tummy tuck works best if you are near your ideal weight and can't get a flat stomach through diet and exercise alone. If you are overweight or obese, you'll need to lose weight before you have the surgery done. Also, your doctor will consider the shape of your abdomen and the location of fat in the area. You'll get the best results if you have surface fat that can be removed along with your extra skin. If you have a lot of fat under your muscles and around your organs that is making your abdomen protrude, a tummy tuck won't do much to change your appearance since it doesn't remove internal fat.

Yo-Yo Dieting

If you have recently lost weight, you may be anxious to get rid of excess skin and get your body in its best shape. However, it may be better to give your body time to stabilize. Keeping weight off is often more difficult than taking it off. If you have a history of yo-yo dieting, you may want to get advice from your surgeon before undergoing the operation. On the other hand, having the procedure done so you have a flat stomach may give you the motivation you need to keep the weight off.

Future Pregnancy

A tummy tuck is a popular procedure to get your body back in shape after a pregnancy. However, since future pregnancies will change your body shape again, you may want to wait until you've had all your children before you have a tummy tuck. A future pregnancy could cause a muscle tear or loose skin again and then you would have to repeat the procedure.

Health Status

Since a tummy tuck is a type of surgery, your doctor will probably require that you are in good general health before you undergo the procedure. As long as you don't have a debilitating medical condition, your age shouldn't matter. The doctor may also need to consider the location and condition of any other surgical scars you have in the area before deciding if the procedure is right for you.

No amount of exercise and dieting will reduce sagging caused by loose skin and damaged abdominal muscles. Removing excess skin and surface fat will get rid of the bulge in your abdomen, and stitching up the muscles will provide support that keeps your abdomen from sagging. If you are in good health and stabilized near your ideal weight, then a tummy tuck could be a great option for helping you get the body you want.