What Is a Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a “tummy tuck” is a procedure that minimizes the abdominal area. During the procedure, the surgeon removes excess fat and skin. A less complex procedure is a partial abdominoplasty, or “mini tummy tuck.” Partial abdominoplasty is ideal for patients who have fat deposits limited to the area below the navel.

Am I a candidate for a tummy tuck?

The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men or women who are:

  • In good physical condition
  • Bothered by large fat deposits or loose abdominal skin that has not improved with diet or exercise

You should postpone the surgery if you:

  • Intend to lose weight
  • Are a woman who is planning future pregnancies

Tummy tuck: What to expect

Although each patient’s experience is different, here is a general guide to tummy tuck surgery. The surgery can last several hours, depending on the extent of the work.

We will:

  1. Decide with you on the best location for your procedure. Options are:
    • Surgeon's office-based surgical facility
    • Outpatient surgery center
    • Hospital outpatient
    • Hospital inpatient
  2. Give you either local or general anesthesia.
  3. Make a long incision from one side of your hipbone to the other.
  4. Remove excess fat and skin from the middle and lower abdomen.
  5. Tighten the abdominal wall muscles.

Tummy tuck: Recovery

After the surgery, here’s what you can expect:

  • Side effects: You may experience some short-term side effects including a swollen or painful abdomen.
  • Healing: The healing is a slow and gradual process. It may take weeks or months to reach a full recovery.
  • Scars: At first, the scars may appear to get worse, especially during the first three to six months as they heal. It can take up to a year for scars to flatten out and lighten in color, although they may never completely disappear.
  • Complications: Possible complications from the procedure include:
    • Scarring: There may be scarring if the incision area does not heal properly. We can often correct this with a second operation.
    • Surgical complications: As with any surgery, there is a risk of infection, blood clots or reaction to the anesthesia.