Many women have more (and deeper) insecurities about their midsections than any other part of their body. Often, even diet and exercise are no match for the loose skin and excess fat left behind after childbirth or dramatic weight loss. A tummy tuck, on the other hand, can boost confidence by restoring sexy, feminine contours for women of just about any age. But, is it better to get a tummy tuck at 25 or 45? Or does it even matter? Actually, it does matter, but maybe not for the reasons you think. Read on for more information about what is the best age for a tummy tuck: 

What is a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes loose skin and excess fat in order to narrow the waist and create a slimmer abdominal profile. At Feel Beautiful in San Diego, Dr. Laverson’s innovative surgical techniques result in minimally visible scars and sculpted fitness contours that look and feel sexy. A tummy tuck is a great procedure for anyone who wants to remove excess skin left behind after significant weight loss or restore their pre-pregnancy curves after childbirth. 

What is the best age for a tummy tuck?

The best age for a tummy tuck is different for each person.  There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to have a tummy tuck, and although age is not always at the top of the list, it can play a role. Here’s how:

• Minimum age for tummy tuck:  18 
• Average age for tummy tuck: 42
• Maximum age for a tummy tuck: None

As mentioned above, even these generalities are connected to certain factors that have less to do with a specific age and more to do with a person’s phase of life and their overall health.

What factors affect the best age for tummy tuck?

When it comes to the best age for a tummy tuck, the actual number isn’t the most important factor. The main factors are those related to the health and stability of the body during a given phase of life. A tummy tuck is major surgery, so it’s important to be in excellent health at the time of the procedure, no matter how old you are. The results of a tummy tuck are permanent, but they can be reversed by weight fluctuations and other life events, whether you’re 18 or 68. The best age for a tummy tuck may not be associated with a specific age, but these age-related factors should be considered:

Weight stabilization – Weight fluctuation can affect the results of a tummy tuck.  It’s best to be at a healthy, stable weight before committing to the surgery in order to enjoy the results as long as possible. For those who want a tummy tuck to remove excess skin after dramatic weight loss, it’s usually recommended to postpone the procedure until the weight stablizes for six months to a year.  Young people in their late teens and early 20s considering a tummy tuck after weight loss may want to wait even longer because at such a young age, their skin may shrink back if given time. 

Pregnancy and childbirth – Pregnancy can negatively impact tummy tuck results, so women often wait until they have finished having children. This is why the average age is in the mid-40s. Although pregnancy is safe after tummy tuck, the growth of the baby tends to stretch the skin and muscle of the abdominial area and reverse the affects of the procedure. A tummy tuck can also increase the chances of developing stretch marks during pregnancy. The best age for tummy tuck is after you finish growing your family or you decide not to bear children. If you do become pregnant after a tummy tuck, however, your plastic surgeon may be able to provide you with tips on how to best preserve your results. Touch-up surgery may be needed to restore your pre-pregnancy contours as well.   

Health – There is no maximum age for a tummy tuck.  Women in their 50s, 60s, or 70s want to look and feel sexy in their clothes and lingerie too!  As long as a person is in great health, a tummy tuck is possible no matter how old they are. Seniors, however, are not the largest demographic when it comes to tummy tuck surgeries. Health may be one of the main reasons for this. As people age, not only are they more susceptible to certain health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, but they’re also more likely to experience several conditions at the same time. For those with increasing age, the risk of complication with surgery increases as well. Although the numbers may not be high, there certainly are independent, healthy seniors who recover beautifully and are able to reap the benefits of their tummy tuck surgeries.  

The best way to determine whether it’s the right time for a tummy tuck is to meet with Dr. Laverson for consultation. 

Want a sexy, flat belly? Come see Dr. Laverson today!

At Feel Beautiful, we believe everyone deserves to feel confident and comfortable in their body.  For more information about Dr. Laverson’s highly specialized tummy tuck or other body contouring procedures, call Feel Beautiful at (858) 295-4001 to schedule your in-office consultation today.