Also called a “tummy tuck”, Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure for the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdominal area. This surgery is done for two reasons: to reduce the protrusion of the abdomen and to improve the muscle tone of the abdomen by tightening these muscles.

Who opts for an abdominoplasty?

Although women are the majority of abdominoplasty candidates, anybody who has an abdominal protrusion which will not be affected by diet or exercise is likely to think about this procedure. Loose skin in the abdominal area causes some to look into the possibility of undergoing this surgery as well. Often as a result of the tightness of the abdominal skin from pregnancy, women will seek out this surgery to correct the problem after exercise and diet fail to correct the situation.

Risks of Abdominoplasty

This procedure when performed by a physician who has the necessary qualifications, is almost invariably a success. All surgery does carry some risk of complications; abdominoplasty is no exception in this regard. These risks should be understood by the patient before undergoing the procedure.

Blood clots and infection, though rare, can occur after the operation. This, though treatable, will extend the patient’s stay at the hospital. Sometimes, there is poor healing, resulting in prominent scars. In such cases, a second operation may be required. Smoking can also increase complications.

Planning and Preparation for an Abdominoplasty Procedure.

First, your surgeon will make an assessment of the extent of the fat deposits in your abdominal region. He will also assess your skin tone. He will recommend either partial abdominoplasty or complete abdominoplasty, depending upon the area that is covered in fat deposits. If they are limited to the area below the navel, he may recommend and partial abdominoplasty. Or he may recommend a combination of abdominoplasty (partial or complete) along with liposuction, for a better body contour.

You will be given specific guidelines with respect to diet, drinking, smoking and medications before the surgery. If you develop an infection or cold, your surgery will likely be postponed. Complete abdominoplasty usually takes about 2-5 hours while partial abdominoplasty may take 1-2 hours.

In a complete abdominopplasty, an incision is made from one hip to the other, directly above the pubic area. A second incision is made just below the navel to make removal of fat deposits easier. In a partial abdominoplasty procedure, a much shorter incision is made, with the second incision often not needed at all.