What is an apron belly? After having children, many women experience fat tissue and excess skin that hangs down from the abdominal area, varying in size and length. This tissue remains from your previous pregnant body shape, lingering despite almost any attempt to resolve it. Often called “apron belly” because it looks like an apron is hanging from your waist, this cosmetic concern commonly develops after pregnancy. Its medical term is pannus stomach.
After pregnancy, is it possible to get rid of an apron belly?
The answer is yes! It is absolutely possible, even if a healthy diet and regular exercise haven’t been effective. Many women resort to hiding their apron belly under baggy tops or dresses, feeling that the excess tissue will never go away. However hard it might seem to get rid of an apron belly on your own, there are treatment options that can get rid of it and help restore your body contours and desired shape.
What are the treatment options to get rid of an apron belly?
There are both non-surgical and surgical options that can be used to address apron belly. Non-surgical options can help reduce fat deposits, but they will not completely eliminate apron belly the way that surgical procedures do. Surgical and non-surgical options include the following:
Non-surgical options to reduce apron belly
Non-surgical options can be used to help reduce some of the fat tissues that have built up in the area. These may include the following:
- Laser body sculpting treatments
Laser body sculpting slims your body by melting fat without requiring significant downtime. There are a number of different laser treatments that can achieve these results. A laser is typically used to melt and destroy fat cells and can be combined with other energies, such as ultrasound, to help burst fat cells.
- CoolSculpting body contouring
CoolSculpting uses the power of cooling technology to freeze and destroy fat
cells. Intense cooling is directed to the fat tissues, which freeze faster than surrounding tissues. The fat is destroyed and flushed out of the body while the surrounding tissues are left unharmed. CoolSculpting is completely non-invasive and requires no downtime or recovery period.
Surgical options to eliminate apron belly
Surgical options are highly effective in treating apron belly, leaving your abdominal area flat and sculpted. Options include the following:
- Panniculectomy
This surgery contours the walls of the stomach, eliminating the hanging skin and fat below the abdomen. This procedure can be combined with a tummy tuck for the most optimal and dramatic results.
- Plus size tummy tuck
This surgical procedure is the most effective to eliminate an apron belly and contour the physique. This surgery tightens weakened abdominal muscles and removes excess skin and fat. Once the excess fat and skin of the lower area are removed, the upper skin of the abdominal area is pulled downward and secured, creating a firm, flat, sculpted contour.
Why is it so hard (or impossible) to get rid of apron belly on your own?
Sometimes, diet and exercise will help reduce apron belly, but this isn’t always possible to achieve on your own. This is because the apron belly is an internal issue. During pregnancy, the body expands to accommodate your growing baby and subsequent weight gain. The surrounding area and fat around your internal organs expand, creating extra fat deposits in the flap below your abdominal muscles that lie in front of your intestines. The result is a sagging “apron” of skin and fat that hangs down from the lower abdominal area. This can usually only be effectively addressed with surgery.
How does a plus size tummy tuck eliminate an apron belly?
If you have a high BMI, you are considered “plus-size.” Traditionally, this has meant that you must lose weight in order to have a tummy tuck. However, Dr. Repta created the Plus Size Tummy Tuck®, a breakthrough surgical procedure that is specifically designed to help treat women with higher BMIs who are dealing with excess skin and fat or apron belly.
The plus size tummy tuck modifies the way liposuction and tissue removal are performed during surgery, but it achieves the same benefits–a flat, firmer abdominal area without sagging, hanging skin. And the newfound confidence that comes with that!
What happens after a tummy tuck? What is the recovery like?
A tummy tuck requires significant downtime. Surgical drains are placed to prevent fluids from building up and to help facilitate the healing process. These will be removed after about one week, and your downtime will last for about 2-3 weeks. You will need to rest during this period of time–no exercise, work, sex, or other physical activities. After this period, most patients can return to sedentary work, but it’s important to avoid any activities that could exert you overmuch for at least 4-6 weeks. You’ll need to focus on rest and recuperation and take it easy until your body is fully healed.
Why is it important to get rid of an apron belly after pregnancy?
Other than the cosmetic concern and embarrassment that apron belly can cause, apron belly can cause health complications, some quite serious, for women after pregnancy, making it very important to address this issue. Remember, it is possible to get rid of an apron belly and feel better about your appearance, regain your confidence, and improve your health! The health risks associated with an apron belly may include the following:
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cancer (such as ovarian cancer)
- Skin irritation, infections, and rashes
- Increased sweating and hygiene concerns
Why choose Dr. Repta to address your apron belly after pregnancy?
Dr. Repta is an ideal choice for treating apron belly. He has extensive experience performing this specialized surgery and created the groundbreaking Plus Size Tummy Tuck to help a wider range of women who suffer from apron belly after pregnancy. As a leader and innovator in the field of plastic surgery, Dr. Repta has a reputation as one of the most talented plastic surgeons in the nation. He is a board-certified plastic surgeon who truly cares for his patients and dedications his attention and skill to ensure they achieve the results they want. You can relax with Dr. Repta, knowing you’re in the hands of a truly gifted professional who will safely guide you through the process and do everything in his power to achieve your desired outcome. Please schedule your consultation today to meet with Dr. Repta and learn more about getting rid of your apron belly.
