Diet and exercise are not always enough to eliminate waistline problems. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is the surgical removal of excess skin or skin and fat from the abdomen as well as the surgical repositioning of the abdominal muscles into a tighter formation.

The results after a tummy tuck are often dramatic. This body enhancement procedure is designed for those who wish to have a flatter and tighter abdomen; it is also helpful in remedying the vertical separation of abdominal muscles—known as diastasis—that can occur following pregnancy.

Reasons for Considering an Abdominoplasty

Choosing to have an elective surgery should be carefully considered. The primary reasons someone might want to undergo an abdominoplasty include:

• No improvement in the appearance of the abdominal area with diet and exercise
• Excessive accumulation of skin following weight loss
• Loss of skin elasticity or diastasis (loose abdominal muscles) after pregnancy

General Procedure

Abdominoplasty surgery lasts anywhere from two to three hours, depending on the desired look and the patient’s unique anatomy. The procedure is performed in a hospital operating room under general anesthesia. 

The surgeon begins the operation by making a horizontal incision across the lower abdomen just above the pubic bone. This incision is long but is also low and therefore easily hidden by clothing or swimwear.  The surgeon then lifts the skin away from the muscle allowing her to remove excess skin and fat. The abdominal muscles are then tightened to provide a firmly contoured stomach and a well-defined waistline. Two drains are placed in the body before closure of the skin to allow for excess fluid removal. Finally, the incision is closed and the skin is sutured back into place; all of the sutures are placed deep under the skin to produce the finest scar possible. The umbilicus (belly button) is then brought back up through the skin at the same level it originally was.

What can I expect after surgery?

The majority of abdominoplasty patients will be required to spend one night in the hospital. During this time the pain will be controlled and the patient will learn how to take care of the drains and how to move in the proper manner to avoid healing problems. Patients can expect some swelling, pain, and discomfortl; medication will be prescribed to relieve pain. Typically, patients can resume their normal activities within two weeks after the surgery, but due to the muscle repair involved, heavy lifting and exercise will be restricted for four to six weeks. With proper diet and exercise the striking results of a tummy tuck will be long-lasting.

What are the risks of abdominoplasty? 

The risks of abdominoplasty are rare, but as with any operation, adverse conditions can result. These include bleeding, infection, slow healing, fluid accumulation and blood clots in the legs. Patients are thoroughly screened before the procedure to eliminate any person for whom the surgery cannot be done safely. Smokers are always at a higher risk of poor healing after surgery and quitting smoking before the operation will be stressed.