In medical terms a “tummy tuck” is called abdominoplasty. It is a surgical procedure where excess fat is removed from the abdomen and abdomen muscles are tightened. This procedure helps a person to look thin and improves the appearance, but it can leave a permanent mark on the treated body part.

Who Should Opt for Abdominoplasty?
Men and women who have excess fat deposits and loose skin in their abdomen and who find it difficult to lose the excess fat through pills, exercise and dieting opt for abdominoplasty. Women who have had multiple pregnancies resulting in stretched abdominal muscles and skin and who are unable to return to their original shape can also choose abdominoplasty. People who don’t mind having a permanent scar on their tummy and a long recovery time can opt for abdominoplasty.

Who Should Avoid Abdominoplasty?
Women planning to become pregnant should not undergo abdominoplasty, because the muscles in the abdomen expand during pregnancy. People who have had any type of abdominal surgery should not opt for abdominoplasty.

What Does Abdominoplasty Do?
Abdominoplasty enhances a person’s appearance and boosts self-confidence. Before going for a surgery discuss with your doctor your expectations from the surgery and clarify all the doubts in your mind. An abdominoplasty surgeon will be able to answer your questions about the procedure and how it can help you.

What Are Abdominoplasty Risks?
Whenever you opt for any kind of surgery, there is always a risk. Thousands of people have abdominoplasty every year and are successfully treated. However, there is a chance of complications that could arise during and after this surgery. Serious post surgery complications like blood clots are very rare. To avoid blood clots, patients are urged to move around as soon as possible after the surgery is completed. Infections sometimes arise, but they can be treated with antibiotics. Smokers should stop smoking before and after the surgery, because smoking delays the healing process. You need to consult your surgeon regarding foods to eat, when to start physical activity, when to commence exercises, etc.

Planning Your Surgery
First you need to consult a surgeon who will assess your health and take into account your skin type and the amount of fat in your abdominal area. You need to give accurate information to the surgeon; you should not hide any health related information. If you smoke, drink liquor products or take any pills then you should be frank and tell the truth. Hiding a health problem can worsen your health situation later, so make it a point to discuss everything beforehand. If you are frank, the surgeon will be equally frank with you and discuss the procedure, limitations, alternative treatments, etc.

Preparing for Surgery
The surgeon will provide instructions on preparing for the surgery. He or she will advise you regarding diet, drinks, medications, etc., and these instructions must be properly followed. If you smoke you will have to stop smoking for two to three weeks before the surgery. You need to avoid overexposure to the sun before surgery, and if you have any problems or pain in any part of the body before the surgery, then your procedure should be postponed.

What to Expect
The duration of abdominoplasty surgery is two to five hours, and partial abdominoplasty normally takes one to two hours.

The surgeon makes an incision above the pubic area from side to side. The navel is freed from the adjoining tissues. The skin up to your ribs is flapped open and the muscles of the abdomen are tautened. The surgeon brings the muscles close together and stitches them, which makes the muscles taut. Since the muscles are moved together, the abdomen constricts and the waistline is reduced. If you have extra skin, it is removed and the flap is stitched. Dressings to the stitching are applied, and the surgery is complete.

In partial abdominoplasty the incision is shorter and the excess fat is removed before the flap is stitched back.

Once the surgery is completed, you need to take proper rest for a day or two or as suggested by the surgeon.