Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a procedure to remove excessive stomach skin and fat and to tighten muscles in the abdomen....

Expected Results

The appearance of the stomach area is improved by removing skin folds, stretch marks and excess fat. The result is a smoother, flatter abdomen without sagging skin.

Will It Hurt?

Tummy Tucks are performed under general anesthetic. There's no pain during the procedure, and pain or discomfort after the surgery is controlled with medication.

How is it done?

An incision is made above the pubic hairline in an area normally covered by underwear or a bikini. The skin isLifted and the abdominal wall is tightened. The skin is then pulled back down and the excess skin and fat are removed.

Will it Leave a Scar?

The procedure requires an incision across the bottom of the abdomen. A scar will be present above the pubic hairline (below the bikini line), as well as around the belly button. There may also be a short vertical scar just above the pubic hairline. Scars normally fade within the first year.

Will I have to take time off of work or from my normal daily routine?

The patient is able to return to work in 2 weeks, and strenuous activity should be avoided for 6 weeks.

Are there any risks?

Loss of skin sensation - Patients commonly experience areas of partial or complete numbness of the abdominal skin. It may take several months for the numbness to go away.

Fluid accumulation - Rarely, tissue fluids collect under the skin. If this occurs, the fluid is removed 2 or 3 times a week for 2-3 weeks with a needle.

Skin Loss - In rare cases, skin loss can result from infection or excessive tension, making the incision heal more slowly.

The best candidates for a tummy tuck are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won't respond to diet or exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where it will return to normal. Loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved.

Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight should postpone the surgery. Also, women who plan future pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can separate again during pregnancy.

Thousands of tummy tucks are performed successfully each year. When done by a qualified plastic surgeon who is trained in body contouring, the results are very positive.

If fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel, a mini-tummy tuck may be recommended. A patient may benefit with liposuction being done in conjunction with the tummy tuck to remove fat deposits from the hips for a better body contour. A tummy tuck, whether partial or complete, produces excellent results for patients with weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin. And in most cases, the results are long lasting, if a balanced diet and regular exercise is maintained.

The procedure normally takes two to five hours, depending on the extent of work required.