The hourglass figure has long been considered to be aesthetically desirable. Many women wish for a body that combines natural curves with a narrow waist, and they hope that plastic surgery can help them achieve it. In particular, tummy tuck procedures are often seen as promising, offering the chance to tighten and sculpt the abdominal area while removing excess fat and flab. Before choosing any plastic surgery procedure, it is important to have clear expectations. Specifically, what can a tummy tuck do to provide you with the hourglass figure you desire?
How Can Plastic Surgery Enhance Your Hourglass Figure?
Plastic surgery can help you achieve a more pronounced hourglass figure, even if you weren’t naturally born with the curves you desire. To further enhance and sculpt your figure towards an hourglass shape, consider these procedures:
Combining a Tummy Tuck with Liposuction
You can enhance the results of your tummy tuck by adding liposuction to the hips and waist. This combination can create a more harmonious, hourglass silhouette, further refining your waistline and achieving a tighter, more sculpted figure.
Tightening the Abdominal Muscles
Loose abdominal skin can detract from an hourglass figure. An extended tummy tuck addresses this by tightening muscles and pulling tissues toward the midline, creating a flatter, more defined abdomen. This procedure can also enhance the curves along your sides, contributing to a more sculpted silhouette.
What About Removing Ribs?
While rib removal has been discussed as a way to create a more dramatic waistline, it’s not a practical or recommended solution. It carries significant risks and is outside the scope of what most patients would consider.
The natural distance between your ribcage and hip bone plays a role in creating a defined waist. Liposuction and muscle tightening can significantly enhance the indentation if you have a wider gap. However, muscle tightening may have a limited impact if the space is narrower.
Another enhancement that will accentuate the hourglass shape is fat grafting to the buttocks to accentuate the curve in the lower portion of the hourglass. This may not be possible for thin patients because of a lack of donor fat, but in others, it may be something to consider.
Learn More About Your Options for Achieving an Hourglass Figure
A conversation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is essential if you dream of a narrower waist or more defined curves. They can provide tailored advice and guidance on the procedures that best suit your individual needs and goals. Based in the Los Angeles area, Dr. Sanders has over 40 years of experience providing transformative procedures such as tummy tucks and liposuction. For a deeper dive into hourglass figure procedures, visit our blog for detailed information and insights from Dr. Sanders.
