All beautiful plastic surgery results have something in common: They started with a personalized consultation. At Whole Beauty ® Institute, this is true of every procedure. Dr. John Q. Cook will sit with the patient for, say, a tummy tuck at his Chicago-area practice, and take the time to truly get to know the patient. He will seek to discover what brought the patient to this point— physically, mentally, and emotionally—as well as where the patient would like to be going.
With that in mind, here are some questions you can expect to hear if you come in for a tummy tuck consultation.
HAVE THERE BEEN WEIGHT FLUCTUATIONS?
This is an important question, because the answer can reveal a lot about what led to the conditions where a tummy tuck is warranted and beneficial. Stretched-out skin tends to be the result of weight loss—often rapid weight loss—since the organ can’t keep up with the shrinking contours beneath. The sudden drop in weight, therefore, can be marked with a sagging belly and even damaged abdominal muscles.
HOW MANY WEIGHT FLUCTUATIONS WERE THERE?
The most successful tummy tuck patients are those who maintain a relatively stable weight— something that should be achieved in the weeks and months prior to any tummy tuck surgery. If a patient is known for watching their number on the scale bounce up and down like a yo-yo, a tummy tuck may not be the best approach. Gaining new weight after the surgery can stretch out the newly contoured tissues, leading to new sagging and other issues.
ARE THERE ANY PREGNANCY PLANS IN THE FUTURE?
Like weight gain, a growing baby can “undo” the results of a tummy tuck. As the baby gets larger, it causes the belly to expand, stretching the skin and separating abdominal muscles. If a patient has plans to get pregnant, Dr. Cook will suggest waiting for the surgery until there are no more pregnancies on the horizon.
WHAT ARE YOUR LIFESTYLE HABITS?
Dr. Cook’s tummy tuck results are best maintained by good nutrition and consistent exercise in the months and years after the surgery. He will discuss these lifestyle habits with you as part of his commitment to taking a holistic approach to body contouring surgery.
To arrange your own consultation for a tummy tuck—or any plastic surgery procedure—contact Whole Beauty ® Institute by calling 312-751-2112 (Chicago Gold Coast Office) or 847-446-7562 (North Shore Office in Winnetka) or submit an online contact form.