Aesthetic Abdominal Surgery

Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, is designed to give you a slimmer abdomen and improve your abdominal shape. This operation can be combined with liposuction to remove the excess skin as well as the excess fat from the mid and lower abdomen and the hip area. In addition, the muscles in the abdomen are "plicated" or tightened. This helps to restore the anatomy that existed prior to changes in your body after pregnancy or weight change. The end result after tummy tuck surgery is that you will be slimmer and not have excess skin on your abdomen which can be typical after pregnancy.

When the skin and fat is not excessive, a short scar version called a mini-abdominoplasty, or a mini tummy tuck, may be an alternative. The mini tummy tuck with liposuction works best for women in their early to late thirties who have had children. The scars with a mini-tummy tuck are shorter and have quicker recovery times. Finally, for patients that have little to no excess skin and good skin elasticity, liposuction alone can be used to improve your abdominal contour.

Ideal candidates for a tummy tuck are women or men who are in relatively good shape, but are bothered by the excess abdominal fat or loose skin that won't respond to continued dieting and exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful for women who have had past pregnancies. Pregnancy distends the muscles of your belly apart and unless the muscles are tightened, you may not be able to restore a trim profile to your belly. Tummy tuck surgery is also very helpful if you had a gastric bypass or similar weight loss surgery performed or significant weight loss by dieting and your weight loss has stabilized.