What is the tummy tuck?

Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure aimed to change the shape of the lower and middle abdomen, trunk and waist, and to tense the muscles and fascia of the abdominal wall. Abdominoplasty is usually recommended to patients with sagging abdominal skin.

The candidate for the tummy tuck

Most patients seeking abdominoplasty have previously tried diet and exercise to reduce the abdomen size. Obese patients who have had a massive weight loss with a subsequent excess skin may require a tummy tuck to remove the redundant tissue. In these patients the sagging skin can also be located in face, neck, arms, etc.



These cases may be treated with abdominoplasty in combination with other procedures to achieve better results. You may discuss this possibility with your doctor.

Patients who may seek a tummy tuck include:

Obese patients

Of course, as with any surgical procedure, there is risk of complication. However, obesity increases risk during surgery. The surgeon should evaluate risks in the obese patient. But the patient must understand that abdominoplasty is a treatment aimed to remove the excess of abdominal skin, not to lose weight. Because obesity is a condition that affects the entire body, it should be understood that abdominoplasty is aimed only to treat the abdomen. Your physician may guide you in a preoperative adequate treatment to lose weight. Once the patient is able to maintain a healthy weight that ensures safe conditions in the operating room, he/she might consider undergoing abdominoplasty.

Sudden weight loss patients

Those patients who have had a massive weight loss as a result of diets, or surgical procedures like the gastric bypass, frequently present excess of abdominal skin. What was once a prominent abdomen, may turn into a hanging bag of skin. In this case, the physician should evaluate the physical condition of the patient before undergoing surgery. The goal is to remove as much redundant skin and subcutaneous tissue as possible, in a safe manner.

Patients with abdominal scars

In patients with abdominal scars, surgery is aimed to correct the affected area. There are different surgical techniques that may improve the appearance of scars.

Women with loose skin after pregnancy

During pregnancy the abdominal wall suffer different tension and retraction forces, which deteriorate the elasticity and tone of the abdominal skin. Many women find they have a saggy and lax abdomen, plenty of stretch marks (striae) after pregnancy.

Liposuction and abdominoplasty

Your doctor may recommend performing abdominoplasty in combination with liposuction. As we age pubis tends to lose its shape.

Liposuction can be an effective way to improve this area.