Abdominoplasty - Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" is a cosmetic surgery procedure to reshape and firm the abdomen. It involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. This type of surgery is usually sought by women (who are not considering having anymore children) and individuals who have abdominal fat deposits which do not respond well to diet and exercise.

There are two broad variatied of abdominoplasty:

• Complete. Requires from about two to five hours
• Partial. Requires from about one to two hours

Indications for Abdominoplasty Surgery

For individuals who have excess skin or weakened abdominal muscles due to age, pregnancy or obesity. Abdominal muscle diastasis (a separation of the vertical abdominal muscles) can be corrected with plication [: the tightening of stretched or weakened bodily tissues or channels by folding the excess in tucks and suturing] of the rectus abdominus sheath/fascia. Abdominoplasty surgery is beneficial in helping these individuals obtain a tauter, slimmer waist and flatter abdomen.

In some cases, abdominoplasty is not needed and only suction-assisted lipectomy can improve the fatty pooch of the abdomen. Also endoscopic abdominoplasty may be an option for those who need more than just abdominal liposuction.

Am I A Candidate For Abdominoplasty?

First and foremost, an individual must be in good health, not have any active diseases or serious, pre-existing medical conditions and must have realistic expectations of the outcome of their surgery. Communication is crucial in reaching one's goals. You must be able to voice your desires to your surgeon if he/she is to understand what your desired results are. Discuss you goals with your surgeon so that you may reach an understanding with what can realistically be achieved.

You must be mentally and emotionally stable to undergo an cosmetic procedure. This is an operation which requires patience and stability in dealing with the healing period.

There is sometimes a lull or depression after surgery and if there is already a pre-existing emotional problem, this low period can develop into a more serious issue. Please consider this before committing to a procedure. If the above describes you and you have the desire to rid yourself of loose sagging skin of the abdominal area, you may be a good candidate for Abdominoplasty.

Normally women seek this procedure after pregnancy # although it is advised to wait until you are finished having children to have this procedure as the skin and muscles can get stretched out again as well as the dangers of your newly taut skin, and incision line not being unable to accommodate another pregnancy.

Also, if you are considering losing weight you should wait until after your desired weight is met. You may need additional surgery to remove the excess skin after you have lost the desired weight which would mean that the money spent on the previous abdominoplasty would be wasted and your skin can only be stretched so much.

Incision Placements, Types & Their Resulting Scars

This is not a scar-free surgery; in fact the scars may be quite severe depending upon the amount of skin needed to be removed, your body's ability to heal, if you scar well, the skill of the surgeon and the technique utilized. Most surgeons choose to offer their patients lesser scarring techniques that leave a well-hidden horizontal or a slightly bowed scar which can be covered by a standard bikini. Some may feel the need to place your incision higher. In most patients with moderate to severe redundant skin, there will be a need for the creation of a new navel (called sometimes a "neo-navel"). If you are a candidate, perhaps only endoscopic incisions will be needed. or a small suprapubic incision (directly above the pubis). Be sure to discuss the incision types, techniques and placements with your surgeon at your consultation.