Now you're thinking that it might be a good idea to get a tummy tuck. After all, those celebrities aren't just naturally fit like that – the heck with exercise! You figure that at least half of those celebrities have a tummy tuck at some point anyway.

So far, you've been thinking about all the wonderful opportunities that a tummy tuck can bring you. You won't have to hide under the covers after a night of passion. You'll be able to proudly strut around on the beach in a two-piece instead of wearing that ugly flower print one-piece. Oh, and yes, maybe now you'll finally be able to fit into those jeans you bought but loved too much to return.

Well, while all of those things are true, you're also going to have to take into consideration the downsides of having a tummy tuck. First of all, you're going to have to take a couple of weeks off of work to have this procedure done – can you really afford to do that?

Also, you're not going to see immediate results. You're going to be swollen and bruised for a few days afterwards, and will have to wear a protective bandage. Although the surgery is as minimally invasive as possible, several small incisions will still need to be made, and those incisions will require stitches. So, you'll have to stay in bed the first few days following your procedure to make sure that the stitches don't break.

Then, of course, there is the issue of infection. Prior to the procedure, everything in the surgical room needs to be washed and sanitized. The surgeon and the nurse have to have "scrubbed" their hands, and be as germ-free as possible. However, even the most diligent efforts can sometimes be subverted by various virus strains, so be aware that you might be exposed to a staph infection.

Something else that you need to think about is in regard to potential scarring. While the incisions are generally made "below the belt" you might still have a couple of scars. So, you'll be able to show off your flatter midsection, but there might be a couple of additional lines that look like stretch marks.

If you are daunted by the many risks associated with this kind of procedure, there are other non-surgical options. For example, you can start eating a healthier diet that is high in fiber. Additionally, you can always start exercising more frequently. There are several different kinds of exercises that target the abdominal muscles, the most popular of which are crunches/sit-ups. Over a period of several weeks, you will definitely be able to start seeing results, though they take more time to materialize than the results given by a cosmetic procedure.