Abdominoplasty - Tummy tuck

Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin, and in most cases restores weakened or separated muscles creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer. The decision to have tummy tuck surgery is extremely personal and you'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. Achieving a flatter, tighter abdominal area is a goal for many people, women and men alike. There are a variety of reasons why someone may be dissatisfied with his or her waistline and abdomen, and the "tummy tuck" procedure, or abdominoplasty, might be an appropriate option for achieving a slimmer, more aesthetically appealing abdominal contour. Use this page as a resource to learn more about the abdominoplasty procedure. Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.

The abdominoplasty removes large amounts of abdominal fat and skin below the belly button thereby contouring the stomach and thoracic area. Unlike liposuction alone, the excision of a notable amount of skin below the belly button (umbilicus) greatly assists patients with permanent stretch marks (structurally damaged skin) in this area following rapid growth, weight gain or pregnancy. The removal of redundant damaged skin results in a tightening of the remaining skin and an improved shape. Remember that loose skin cannot be removed without incisions and the removal of redundant skin requires the creation of scars sufficient to address the amount of redundant skin present. The required scars may be longer than you initially expect. Ask your surgeon about scar extent and location. Plastic surgeons do their best to hide these scars in concealed areas and the final scar colour and appearance may not be evident until 12 months following surgery. Remember that scars fade over time. The removal and redraping of tummy skin often requires the permanent repositioning of the belly button.

This is done through incisions just within the depression of the belly button itself. The belly button is repositioned in its original location on the abdominal wall but this is now located within skin that originally was redraped from the upper tummy area. Concurrent liposuction of excess flank or hip fat and plication (structural reinforcement) of the abdominal wall may eliminate the separation of the stomach muscles (diastasis recti) sometimes seen in pregnancy, giving a flatter and more hourglass figure. In select cases, you may be able to combine other procedures such as tubal ligation, hernia repair or hysterectomy with the abdominoplasty. In each case this must be reviewed with all participating surgeons and the decision to undertake combined procedures remains at the discretion of the surgeon.

A flat and well-toned abdomen is something many of us strive for through exercise and weight control. Sometimes these methods cannot achieve our goals. Even individuals of otherwise normal body weight and proportion can develop an abdomen that protrudes or is loose and sagging. The most common causes of this include: pregnancy, aging, significant fluctuations in weight, heredity, prior surgery.

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