Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a "tummy tuck," is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. But bear in mind, it does produce a permanent scar, which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can extend from hip to hip.

 
 

The recovery step of the process is often the most important. Following the directions given to you by your surgeon is vital. After the procedure, dressings and bandages may be applied to the incisions, and a compression garment may be used to minimize swelling and to support the abdomen as it heals. Within a few days after the abdominoplasty a return to normal, light activities will be possible. In a couple of weeks, you can return to work aside from heavy lifting and rigorous exercise.

 
 

The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won't respond to diet or exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal. Loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved.
Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight should postpone the tummy tuck surgery. Also, women who plan future pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can separate again during pregnancy.

 
 

An abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" is a commonly performed surgery that tightens weak or stretched muscles and removes excess skin, creating a flat and toned abdomen. An abdominoplasty is an body contouring plastic surgery operation in which the loose skin and fat of the abdominal wall, particularly around the navel, is removed by elevation of the skin and fat, pulling it inferiorly and excising the excess. It is particularly effective in removing stretch marks from the lover abdomen, but it must be understood that not all stretch marks can be eliminated. The navel is reinserted into the skin after the tightening procedure.

 
 

The first consultation allows you to meet with your plastic surgeon and staff to discuss your needs and concerns. You will learn about your surgery, the risks and complications, recovery time and look at before and after pictures. Your discussion with him or her covers all aspects of the surgery and you will discuss with him or her your expectations of the surgery. Your plastic surgeon will be able to examine your body and talk about the procedures necessary to meet your expectations.
During the consultation, you will be asked about the results you would like to achieve from abdominoplasty. This will help your surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they realistically can be achieved. He or she will individualize your treatment plan with you and discuss with you what type of abdominoplasty will give you your best results (ie. mini-abdominoplasty vs. full abdominoplasty vs. extended abdominoplasty).
You will have before pictures taken, which allows the physician to plan your surgery and also allows computer imaging to be done and viewed at a later date. After meeting with your surgeon you will have the opportunity to meet with the nurse and review pre-operative and post-operative care necessary for the surgery. You plastic surgeon's assistant will discuss fees and schedule your surgery at a time convenient to both schedules.

 
 

During abdominoplasty, the plastic surgeon makes an incision that extends from hip to hip along the lower pubic area. A skilled plastic surgeon makes this incision so that the resulting scar is hidden under a bathing suit or by undergarments. The plastic surgeon then lifts the loose skin off of the abdominal wall, and tightens and repairs the loosened "rectus" muscles – the muscles that normally give the abdomen its strength – achieving the effect that an old-fashioned girdle would.
During Mini-Abdominoplasty, the plastic surgeon makes an incision that generally spans only the width of the pubic area, and that is similar to a C-section incision. In both procedures, patients with excessive fat in the hips and flanks may have liposuction in these areas to contour them, but not in the areas of the abdomen that are being stretched because this could cause damage to the blood circulation in those areas, leading to scarring or even skin loss. The result of a tummy tuck is an abdomen that is tight and flat, a waist that is narrow and curvy and thighs and buttocks that are firmer.

 
 

Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, removes loose hanging abdominal skin and tightens weakened abdominal wall muscles. Because even diligent diet and exercise cannot fix these problems, each year more than 80,000 American women and men undergo tummy tuck surgery. Women and men who have a protruding belly, loose hanging abdominal skin and weak abdominal muscles are candidates for a full tummy tuck.
Mini-abdominoplasty, also known as a mini-tummy tuck, is reserved for those who have only a limited amount of loose skin or stretch marks in the lower abdomen, or above the public bone. Also, Mini tummy tuck does not usually involve the tightening of abdominal muscles. Therefore, it is sometimes combined with liposuction for patients with excessive fat, but limited looseness of the abdomen.

 
 

A tummy tuck is performed by first carefully marking the patient while they are standing. Careful pre-operative marking is essential to guiding the surgery to success. The procedure begins just above the pubis, by lifting the skin off the muscle from the pubic bone up to the bottom of the ribs. This releases the skin to allow the lower abdominal excess to be removed and the upper abdominal skin to be stretched downward to fill in the space from where the skin is removed. It also allows the surgeon to easily visualize the stretched out, thinned or separated muscles and to tighten them. Although the procedure does require an incision, many plastic surgeons' experience and intimate understanding of the patient’s anatomy and body contours will allow the scar to be well hidden in a bikini bathing suit or even skimpy underwear. Like all procedures, Abdominoplasty does carry risks, including the risk of infection, bleeding and the risk from anesthetics. It is important to note that under the care of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, great care will be taken to avoid or minimize these risks.

 
 

Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a "tummy tuck," is a procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. This type of surgery can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. This procedure produces a permanent scar, which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can extend from hip to hip.

 
 

The skin over the abdomen area can become stretched out after childbirth or weight loss. This skin does not retract to its original tightness and can be loose and saggy. The abdominal muscles also have stretched out and have not regained their normal position, giving the appearance of a "pot belly" no matter how many sit-ups a person does. An abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" will correct both of these problems. The excess skin is removed and the muscles are tightened to firm up the abdomen and provide better contour.