Tummy Tuck

Transcript

The surgical term for a tummy tuck is an abdominoplasty. It simply means removal of excess skin and fat from the abdomen to achieve a cosmetic enhancement. In some cases, a functional benefit is also gained by tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall to improve core strength. This is often needed following pregnancy when the muscles can be forced apart. There are many different types of abdominoplasty, ranging from a mini, which is simply the removal of excess skin above the pubic region, through to a lower body lift, which includes removal of skin from both in front and behind the torso. These larger operations are often carried out for a massive weight loss. I put an animation together on this webpage to show the different types of operations that are available, together with the advantages and disadvantages of each. Clearly it's important to be examined by a surgeon who is experienced in performing these operations to help you take a decision as to the specific type of operation that is right for you. Liposuction is usually carried out as part of the abdominoplasty procedure to help smooth out the remaining skin and the transition area at the edge of the surgical field. The recovery depends on the extent and type of operation that is carried out and obviously it's a little longer for the bigger operations, particularly if this involves a muscle repair. However, this is relatively short compared to the lifelong benefits.