A tummy tuck can remove excess fat, and then straighten and smooth the stomach,
give the patient a more lean and slimmer look.
Abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" is a cosmetic surgery procedure used to make the abdomen more firm.
The surgery involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order
to tighten the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. This type of surgery is usually sought by
patients with loose tissues after pregnancy or individuals with sagging after major weight loss.
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What is Tummy Tuck - Abdominoplasty?

Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty), 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 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.

If you are considering abdominoplasty, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure. When it can help,
how it is performed, and what results you can expect. It can not answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on
the individual patient and the surgeon. We recommend to ask your surgeon or doctor about anything you do not understand.

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 will not respond to diet or exercise.

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 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. If you have scarring
from previous abdominal surgery, your doctor may recommend against abdominoplasty or may caution you that scars could be unusually
prominent.

Abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self confidence, but it will not necessarily change your looks to match your ideal,
or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss
them with your surgeon.

Risks

Although thousands of abdominoplasties are performed successfully each year, there are always some risks with surgery.
When done by a qualified plastic surgeon who is trained in body
contouring, the results are generally quite positive. Nevertheless, there are always risks associated with surgery and specific
complications associated with this procedure.

Post operative complications such as infection and blood clots are rare, but can occur. Infection can be treated with drainage and
antibiotics, but will prolong your hospital stay. You can minimize the risk of blood clots by moving around as soon after the surgery
as possible.

Poor healing, which results in conspicuous scars, may necessitate a second operation. Smokers should be advised to stop, as smoking may
increase the risk of complications and delay healing.

You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon's instructions before and after the surgery, especially with
regard to when and how you should resume physical activity.

Before the Surgery

In your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health, determine the extent of fat deposits in your abdominal region, and
carefully assess your skin tone. Be sure to tell your surgeon if you smoke, and if you are taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs.

Be frank in discussing your expectations with your surgeon. He or she should be equally frank with you, describing your alternatives and the
risks and limitations of each.

If, for example, your fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex procedure called a partial
abdominoplasty, also know as a mini-tummy tuck, which can often be performed on an outpatient basis. You may, on the other hand, benefit
more from partial or complete abdominoplasty done in conjunction with liposuction to remove fat deposits from the hips, for a better body
contour. Or maybe liposuction alone would create the best result.

In any case, your surgeon should work with you to recommend the procedure that is right for you and will come closest to producing the desired
body contour.

During the consultation, your surgeon should also explain the anesthesia he or she will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be
performed, and the costs involved. In most cases, health insurance policies do not cover the cost of abdominoplasty, but you should check your
policy to be sure.

Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking
or avoiding certain vitamins, and medications.

If you smoke, plan to quit at least one to two weeks before your surgery and not to resume for at least two weeks after your surgery.
Avoid overexposure to the sun before surgery, especially to your abdomen, and do not go on a stringent diet, as both can inhibit your
ability to heal. If you develop a cold or infection of any kind, your surgery will probably be postponed.

Whether your surgery is done on an outpatient or inpatient basis, you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery,
and to help you out for a day or two after you leave the hospital, if needed.

The Surgery

Your doctor may select general anesthesia, so you will sleep through the operation.

Some surgeons use local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. you will be awake but relaxed, and your abdominal region
will be insensitive to pain. (However, you may feel some tugging or occasional discomfort.)

Complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to five hours, depending on the extent of work required. Partial abdominoplasty may take an hour
or two.

Most commonly, the surgeon will make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free
the navel from surrounding tissue. With partial abdominoplasty, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved, although it may
be pulled into an unnatural shape as the skin is tightened and stitched.

Next, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and lifts a large skin flap to reveal the vertical
muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position. This provides
a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline.

The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched in place. Finally,
the incisions will be stitched, dressings will be applied, and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.

In partial abdominoplasty, the skin is separated only between the incision line and the navel. This skin flap is stretched down, the excess is
removed, and the flap is stitched back into place.

After the Surgery

For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen and you are likely to feel some pain and discomfort which can be controlled by
medication. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be released within a few hours or you may have to remain hospitalized for two to
three days.

Your doctor will give you instructions for showering and changing your dressings. And though you may not be able to stand straight at first,
you should start walking as soon as possible.

Surface stitches will be removed in five to seven days, and deeper sutures, with ends that protrude through the skin, will come out in two to
three weeks. The dressing on your incision may be replaced by a support garment.