Is a Tummy Tuck Right for Me? Sacramento Plastic Surgeon Discusses Importance of Consultations

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 4, 2013) - For patients considering tummy tuck surgery, what many may not realize is that the success of the procedure largely depends on how well a person may be suited for it. According to board-certified Sacramento plastic surgeon Charles Perry, MD, candidacy requirements for patients undergoing tummy tuck surgery take into account body mass index (BMI), expectations for results, lifestyle habits, and other factors. To thoroughly assist patients in determining their aesthetic goals and candidacy for the procedure, Dr. Perry explains the importance of the consultation process for the surgeon and patient.

"The ultimate goal of a consultation is to address the patient's needs, whether it's fact-finding, developing a relationship, discussing goals of the procedure, or timing," says Dr. Perry. "An ideal candidate for a full tummy tuck is someone who is healthy and vital. We often require patients to have a body mass index less than 35 and more than 15, ideally around 20. They will [also] have a supportive friend or family member to care for them and support them through the transformation."

Ideal candidates must also be nonsmokers (for at least four weeks) and have an anatomy suitable for a tummy tuck, notes Dr. Perry. For an individual to have the appropriate body type, loose skin will exist above and below the navel. They must be able to take a week or two for recovery, and have reasonable expectations for both the healing process and the expected results.

It is also important for patients to understand that optimal results from recovery will take a substantial amount of time. "The most common misconception is the rapidity of healing," says Dr. Perry. "It takes a full year before the incision fades and the abdominal curves are maximally improved. I think this perception that the results occur overnight or immediately following surgery comes from the slew of television shows where the before-and-after occurs in a span of thirty minutes. It is also seen in popular culture -- the immediate gratification. However, with surgery and all things of great value, it takes time for the body to heal. It is well worth the wait!"

According to a statistical report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, tummy tucks were the sixth most popular surgical procedure in 2012. Included among the top five procedures were breast augmentation (ranked first) and liposuction (ranked fourth). In a recent Q & A blog post, "Thinking About a Tummy Tuck? Learn More About the Consultation Process With Dr. Perry," Dr. Perry explains how the desire for a more overall harmonious body shape is something that is commonly expressed during the tummy tuck consultation.

"Other areas that are often covered are the buttock and breast," he says. "These areas often contribute to achieve the ideal hip to waist ratio and can be enhanced at the same time for appropriate candidates. Fat transfer to the buttocks along with liposuction can enhance ones' contours. This is often combined with abdominoplasty."

Dr. Perry explains that the ultimate goal of a tummy tuck is to re-create a healthier, more fit appearance of the abdomen, and to restore a tighter core that patients have sometimes lost due to having children or experiencing weight loss. Dr. Perry also emphasizes the importance of the consultation with a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, as it is the best way to become more informed about the procedure and to determine whether the individual is an appropriate candidate. In some cases, a mini tummy tuck or liposuction will prove more beneficial to a patient's aesthetic goals.

"It is always our desire to meet the person and determine what it is they need and, to the best of our ability, give it to them in the most helpful way," says Dr. Perry. "I often see this process as educational and helpful to both our practice and the potential patient. When one leaves the office, our goal is for them to do so in a more informed and confident manner."

About Dr. Charles Perry, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Charles Perry completed his undergraduate education at University of Puget Sound, and went on to receive his medical degree from the University of Washington. After completing his plastic surgery residency at the University of Massachusetts, he was certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Perry is also a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery. In addition to his research interests of advancing patient safety, Dr. Perry has been a volunteer for the Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation since 2004. Dr. Perry is available for interview upon request.

For more information about Dr. Perry and Chrysalis Cosmetics, visit www.sacramentoplastics.com and www.facebook.com/ChrysalisCosmetics.

To view the original source of this press release, click here: http://www.sacramentoplastics.com/news-room/is-a-tummy-tuck-right-for-me-sacramento-plastic-surgeon-discusses-importance-of-consultations/.