Tummy Tuck Surgery Overview

A tummy tuck, medically referred to as abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that helps to improve the appearance of the abdominal area. There are a number of factors that can contribute to abdominal skin laxity, including rapid weight loss from obesity, pregnancy, and general aging.

Abdominoplasty surgery helps to reshape and contour the abdomen by removing excess fat and skin that has accumulated in the area. In severe cases, a full abdominoplasty may need to be performed. With this procedure, not only is the excess fat and skin in the abdomen removed, but the connective tissues and muscles in the abdomen are also repaired and tightened, to help give the abdomen a firmer appearance.

The Tummy Tuck Procedure

There are a number of different surgical techniques that can be used during a tummy tuck procedure. The method that is used, as well as the incision type, will depend on the severity of your case, and what outcome you are expecting.

Almost all tummy tuck procedures will leave a noticeable scar. With a full abdominoplasty procedure, this scar can be quite large. In less severe cases, the incision will be smaller, and will of course leave a smaller scar. For the most part, your cosmetic surgeon will attempt to use the smallest incision possible, to help prevent any severe scarring.

Types of Tummy Tuck Procedures

The type of tummy tuck procedure that you receive will depend on the concerns you have about your abdomen. If you have muscles that need to be repaired, a different type of technique will need to be used than if you just have fat that needs to be removed or skin that needs to be tightened. If you have multiple issues, a combination of abdominoplasty techniques may be used.

The different types of tummy tuck techniques include:

• Endoscopic Abdominoplasty
• Partial or Modified Abdominoplasty (Mini-Tummy Tuck)
• Dermolipectomy
• Full Abdominoplasty
• Reverse Abdominoplasty
• Vertical Scar Abdominoplasty
• Abdominal Liposuction

Adominoplasty is a major surgery, and should be considered accordingly. Recovery time from a tummy tuck can take a few weeks to a few months, depending on the person. There are also certain complications that can occur, as with any type of surgery, including risk of infection, a reaction to anesthesia, and simply a bad procedure which results in a damaged appearance. All of these things should be taken into consideration and discussed with your cosmetic surgeon prior to surgery.