WHAT IS A TUMMY TUCK?
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is surgery of the abdomen designed to remove loose skin and soft tissue to revitalize the appearance of the frontal mid-section. Abdominoplasty is commonly pursued following childbirth, significant weight loss, or when diet and fitness efforts fail to eliminate loose tissues of the belly. A tummy tuck is commonly combined with liposuction and usually includes a technique called rectus plication, which slims the lateral abdomen and tightens the abdomen at the deep tissue level. So, while an abdominoplasty removes extra tissue in the vertical direction, this combination of procedures also improves the horizontal contour as well.
The abdomen is made up of multiple layers, not just the skin on the surface but also a deeper strength layer with muscle and its associated strong connective tissues. Variations of the traditional abdominoplasty limit the involved scar and recovery (“mini-abdominoplasty”) or even extend the procedure to include excesses of the hips (“extended abdominoplasty”). Some things that a tummy tuck can produce are:
- Elimination of excess skin and soft tissue of the abdomen
- Removal of an abdominal fold, or pannus
- Realignment of abdominal muscles, called rectus abdomini, in the normal midline position
- Tightening of the abdominal skin and soft tissue
- Deceased prominence of the hips, saddle bags, and mons pubic regions, especially when combined with liposuction
- Removal of stretched or otherwise damaged skin of the lower abdomen
- Improved fit of clothing at the waist
- More youthful and toned appearance of the abdomen
- Increased self-confidence
If you are interested in a tummy tuck, remember that this procedure requires surgery in an operating room and you should expect some recovery time. An abdominoplasty is usually performed by plastic and reconstructive surgeons. In good candidates, an abdominoplasty can be performed as an outpatient in an ambulatory surgical center, though recovery time is proportional to the complexity of the procedure. Patients who undergo a tummy tuck often experience a renewed outlook and motivation toward healthy activities.
If you would like to learn more about tummy tuck, don’t hesitate to ask Kristopher M. Day, MD, FACS by emailing Info@KrisDayPlasticSurgery.com to schedule a complementary consultation. Dr. Day has extensive experience in abdominoplasty and wants to design an individualized approach to help you achieve your goals!
