Tummy Tuck

What is a Tummy Tuck ?

All variations of this operation remove at least skin and some fat tissue. For those people who have a relatively small amount of redundant tissue an excision of skin is sufficient to tighten the abdomen and produce a good result. The umbilicus is not affected and the scar a relatively short one that is concealed in the bikini line. Muscles are not usually strengthened as they are not too loose.

The more common method is one that removes the excess skin and fat, tightening muscles and repositioning the umbilicus. This approach leaves a scar from one hip to the other across the lower abdomen. The scar can usually be placed in the bikini line and together with the flattening of the abdomen usually produces a significant improvement.

Who is suitable ?

The ideal patient has tight muscles and an excess of skin and fat - like an overhang or 'apron'. These patients won't get a sufficient improvement with liposuction alone although liposuction should be discussed with your surgeon as it can be a benefit to many patients (see below).

A poor candidate for abdominoplasty is someone who has a lot of fat inside their abdomen (behind the muscle layer) as this fat cannot be reached during operation. The good news is that it responds very well to exercise!

It is vital that whatever type of operation a person is considering that they optimise their health by eating high quality fresh food and be involved in physical activity. This operation is not a treatment for obesity or being overweight.