North Bethesda, Maryland (MD) Liposuction, Abdominoplasty & Tummy Tuck by
Mark E. Richards, M.D.
Dr. Mark Richards Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty) in the Maryland (MD), Virginia (VA), and Washington, D.C. - area Central to the body, the "abs" are also central to how we look. Many people work hard to build muscle tone and mass in the upper body, legs, and even stomach, yet remain unsatisfied with their figures due to persistent fat pockets and excess skin. In these cases, a tummy tuck surgery may be the answer. At his Maryland (MD) clinic located near Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia, Dr. Mark E. Richards performs this procedure (called “abdominoplasty” by doctors) for patients from around the world who can’t eliminate that bulging, saggy appearance with diet and exercise alone. This surgery, either by itself or as part of a regimen including thigh lift, liposuction, or breast enhancement, can help give you the trim, fit body you’ve always wanted. Read below to learn more about the possibilities with a tummy tuck procedure.

Causes of Abdominal Stretching
Contrary to what one often hears, the accumulation of abdominal fat and the loosening of stomach skin are not always caused by overeating. In women, pregnancy often leaves the abdomen looking loose and flabby, as the expanding womb stretches the stomach’s muscle wall and outer skin. Women who have gone through multiple pregnancies are especially prone to experiencing this phenomenon, and in some cases it may be the only way to restore the figure to its original, youthful form.

Of course, massive weight loss can also necessitate a tummy tuck in order to remove the so-called “apron” of skin that remains when the underlying fat mass is gone. In fact, the tummy tuck is a popular component of the body lifts performed in plastic surgery after weight loss. Age can also harm the stomach’s appearance, just as it can any other part of the body, robbing the skin of elasticity and resulting in a saggy and unfit appearance. Genetic factors can leave a person more vulnerable to this gradual degradation as well.

Those interested in a tummy tuck procedure are encouraged to contact Washington, D.C. plastic surgeon Dr. Mark E. Richards. Located in Maryland (MD) near the Northern Virginia-area, he and his professional staff at the Ageless Impressions Plastic Surgery Institute can help you identify the cause or causes of your condition and design a solution to address it.

Tummy tuck surgery can be performed in more than one way. The best abdominoplasty method for each individual depends on a number of factors, including the volume of fat present, its position, and the condition of the underlying abdominal muscles. In many cases, other procedures may be recommended along with the tummy tuck, such as liposuction or breast augmentation, in order to achieve optimal results. From his years of offering high quality tummy tuck procedures to the Washington, D.C., Maryland (MD), and Virginia (VA) areas, Dr. Mark E. Richards has developed the expertise necessary to recommend the ideal procedure for your individual case. Read below to learn a bit about the various options.