Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin in the lower abdomen and tightens stretched stomach muscles in order to produce a tighter, flatter abdomen. In all cases, an incision is made at the bikini level and extending from hip to hip. If you are a little overweight and have “love handles,” the incision may need to extend to the sides in order to address these. An alternative may be liposuction of the love handle areas.

A “mini-abdominoplasty” tightens the skin and muscles of the lower stomach often without relocating the belly button. This has the benefit of avoiding a scar around the belly button, but is most appropriate for women whose excess skin and muscle looseness is in the lower abdomen only, otherwise, upper abdominal bulging may result. A full abdominoplasty has two incisions, at the bikini line and around the belly button. Muscles are tightened in the upper and lower abdomen and the skin tightened throughout the entire abdomen from the bottom of the rib cage to the pubic area. The belly button is relocated to an appropriate position.

For women who complain of pockets of fat in the upper buttocks/lower back area leading to a “muffin top,” a tummy tuck can be combined with liposuction of this area to produce a more hourglass silhouette. You must have completed childbearing prior to undergoing a tummy tuck in order to have long-lasting results.