Abdominoplasty

About Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and usually tightens the underlying abdominal wall muscles. It is sought by people with loose skin and separated abdominal muscles, a condition called diastasis recti, after pregnancy or after significant weight loss. In a full abdominoplasty, an incision is made low across the abdomen from hip to hip, the skin and fat are lifted up to the ribs, the rectus muscles are drawn together with sutures, excess tissue is removed and the belly button is repositioned through a new opening. A mini abdominoplasty addresses only the area below the navel through a shorter incision. Liposuction is frequently combined with the procedure. After massive weight loss, more extensive body contouring such as a circumferential belt lipectomy or panniculectomy, which removes an overhanging apron of tissue, may be performed. Abdominoplasty is among the more common cosmetic surgical procedures. It is not a weight loss operation, and surgeons generally recommend a stable weight beforehand.