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:
- 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
- Give you either local or general anesthesia.
- Make a long incision from one side of your hipbone to the other.
- Remove excess fat and skin from the middle and lower abdomen.
- 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.