As is the case with many types of cosmetic plastic surgery, abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance making you feel better about yourself. It doesn't, however, guarantee that you will suddenly attain your ideal body appearance or that others will treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery you should think realistically about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Markus.

You and Dr. Markus will thoroughly discuss your candidacy for surgery. There are some things you will want to consider in advance of that meeting. The best abdominoplasty candidates:

• Have a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that doesn't respond to diet or exercise
  
• Have stretched muscles and skin due to multiple pregnancies as well as stretch marks
  
• Have lost skin elasticity from being overweight
  
• Are otherwise in relatively good shape
  
• Have realistic expectations
  
• Are 18 or older and in good overall health

You may need to postpone abdominoplasty if you:

• Intend to lose a significant amount of weight
  
• Plan future pregnancies

People who have scarring from previous abdominal surgery may be advised against the tummy tuck procedure because of the likelihood of additional, prominent scarring.