Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as “tummy tuck,” is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and to tighten the abdominal muscles.  This may be combined with liposuction and other body contouring procedures.

Best Candidates:
Women who, after multiple pregnancies have stretched abdominal muscles and excess lower abdominal skin are ideal candidates. This excessive loose tissue of the abdomen will not respond to diet or exercise. Men who are in a relatively good shape but have an excess fat deposit around their waist and with excessive lower abdominal skin folds. Younger individuals who have similar changes after severe weight loss are also candidates for this procedure.

Technique : Most  commonly  a long  incision  from  hip bone  to hip  bone just above the pubic area is made, within  the lines of  bathing  suit. A second incision is made around the navel to free it from its surrounding skin. The  excess skin  is then  pulled down,  navel  is repositioned, so  that  the final  position  of the navel  remains the same.The excess lower abdominal skin is removed and then sutured to give the final inconspicuous scar.

Variations: In suitable candidates a partial abdominoplasty can be done, where the skin is separated from underlying muscles. This skin flap is pulled down, the excess skin and fat are removed and the edges are stitched without changing the position of the navel.

Severe divarification of abdominal muscles, any associated incisional hernia or umbilical hernia are also repaired if required. (Divarification is drifting of abdominal muscles from midline leading to weakness and bulging in the midline and seen more prominently on standing or tightening the abdominal muscles.)

Some individuals who have minimal changes in the lower abdomen will get benefited by Mini abdominoplasty . This limits the magnitude and scar of the surgery. This may be combined with other procedures like hernia repair, tubectomy , hysterectomy, etc……

Anesthesia:
A complete abdominoplasty requires general anesthesia. A partial abdominoplasty in a suitable candidate can be done under local anesthesia with sedation.

Before surgery: It is necessary to discuss in detail the following key issues:

• Combining other minor aesthetic procedures
• Complete medical history
• Any plans to become pregnant in future
• Any plans to further lose weight
• Desire to undergo liposuction in conjunction with   abdominoplasty
• Possible risks of the procedure will be discussed

After Surgery: A hospital stay of 2-3 days is required. 
Minor inconveniences like temporary pain, swelling, tenderness, numbness of abdominal skin, bruising and tiredness   may be experienced immediately after surgery.
A small tube drain is generally placed to help in draining the excess fluid accumulation in the abdominal wall and is removed in 2 or 3 days.
Dressings and stitch removal during the first fifteen days after surgery.
It is necessary to wear a pressure garment for about a month after surgery.

Duration of Results: Long lasting.