Abdominoplasty - Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty, also known as a "tummy tuck," is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen . And during this procedure the muscles that have loosened possibly from pregnancy can be tightened. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. However, to remove this excess skin there will be a scar which with a full tummy tuck can extend from hip to hip.
If you're considering abdominoplasty, this will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the surgeon. Please ask Dr. Kim about anything you don't understand.
Good candidates for abdominoplasty
The best candidates for abdominoplasty 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 they can return to normal. No matter how much weight is lost the excess skin may remain. 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 may benefit from postponing 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. If you have scarring from previous abdominal surgery, your doctor may recommend against abdominoplasty or may caution you that scars could be unusually prominent.