A tummy tuck (known medically as abdominoplasty) is an elective, cosmetic surgical procedure that helps flatten the abdomen by removing excess fat and skin, and tightening muscles.

Often, exercise is not enough to tighten loose abdominal muscles, especially after pregnancy or weight loss. If the skin around your midsection is loose or sagging, you may want to consider tummy tuck.

Your surgeon cuts away excess skin and fat in order to flatten and firm the appearance of your stomach. Typically, your underlying abdominal muscles are also surgically fastened to achieve a taut core. It’s important to remember that tummy tuck will enhance the benefits of proper diet and exercise, but is not a substitute for them.

Are you a good candidate for tummy tuck? Good candidates have a stable weight, do not smoke and do not have conditions that inhibit safe surgery and normal wound healing.

The best candidates for abdominoplasty are in good physical condition, with pockets of fat or loose skin that have not responded well to diet and exercise. Abdominoplasty can also be appropriate for slightly obese people whose skin has lost some of its elasticity, and for women with skin and muscles stretched from pregnancy. Anyone planning on losing a significant amount of weight, and women planning on having (more) children, should wait before undergoing abdominoplasty.

Patients who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 30 will not benefit from tummy tuck. If you have clotting issues or complications from previous surgeries, you should avoid abdominoplasty. If you are planning a substantial weight loss or a future pregnancy, it’s a good idea to postpone tummy tuck surgery.

You will need to abstain from food or drink after midnight prior to your surgery. Your tummy tuck might be performed in a hospital, a free-standing ambulatory facility or an office-based surgical suite. General anesthesia is generally recommended.

Abdominoplasty takes approximately 2 to 5 hours to perform. The patient is placed under general anesthesia. Two incisions are made: one from hipbone to hipbone close to the pubic area, and another around the navel. Skin is separated from the abdominal muscles, which are then pulled together and stitched into place for a firmer abdomen and narrower waist. The skin flap is then stretched down over the newly tightened muscles, excess skin is removed, and the navel is reattached where it looks natural. The incisions are then closed, and sterile surgical dressings are applied over the sutured areas.