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Abdominoplasty before & after.

Abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" is a cosmetic surgery procedure used to make the abdomen more firm. The surgery involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. This type of surgery is usually sought by patients with loose tissues after pregnancy or individuals with sagging after major weight loss.

[edit] Procedures

Abdominoplasty operations vary in scope and are frequently subdivided into categories. Depending on the extent of the surgery, a complete abdominoplasty can take 1 to 5 hours. A partial abdominoplasty (Mini-Tuck Abdominoplasty) can be completed between 1 to 2 hours.

Reconstruction of the umbilicus (belly button) following an abdominoplasty surgery. The original umbilicus is sutured into a new hole created by the surgeon.

[edit] Complete abdominoplasty

In general, a complete (or full) abdominoplasty follows these steps:

1. An incision is made from hip to hip just above the pubic area.
2. Another incision is made to free the navel from the surrounding skin.
3. The skin is detached from the abdominal wall to reveal the muscles and fascia to be tightened. The muscle fascia wall is tightened with sutures.
4. The remaining skin and fat are tightened by removing the excess and closing the defect.
5. The old belly button stalk is brought out through a new hole and sutured into place.
6. Liposuction is often used to refine the transition zones of the abdominal sculpture.
7. A dressing and sometimes a compression garment are applied and any excess fluid from the site is drained.

Full abdominoplasty consisting of musculofascial plication abdominal dermal lipectomy, suction-assisted lipectomy of hips.

[edit] Partial abdominoplasty

A partial (or mini) abdominoplasty proceeds as follows:

1. A smaller incision is made.
2. The skin and fat of the lower abdomen are detached in a more limited fashion from the muscle fascia. The skin is stretched down and excess skin removed.
3. Sometimes the belly button stalk is divided from the muscle below and the belly button slid down lower on the abdominal wall.
4. Sometimes a portion of the abdominal muscle fascia wall is tightened.
5. Liposuction is often used to contour the transition zone.
6. The flap is stitched back into place.

The completely sutured area where nearly 100 square centimeters of skin was removed during a combination abdominoplasty and liposuction procedure (also known as a "lipo-tuck"). Note the "neo"-umbilicus (belly button) that was reattached to a newly created hole.

[edit] Extended abdominoplasty

An extended abdominoplasty is a complete abdominoplasty plus a lateral thigh lift. The resulting scar runs from the posterior axillary line (when placing you open hands on your hips, the thumbs lie along the posterior axillary line.) The operation does all of the abdominal contouring of a complete abdominoplasty plus allows further improvement of the flank (waist), as well as smoothing the contour of the upper lateral thigh.

[edit] High Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck

An advanced technique Tummy Tuck that takes a little more than four and half hours to perform. Conventional Abdominoplasty tightens muscles in a vertical line. This new method known as High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty, which in addition to vertical-line tightening, muscles are also tightened horizontally. Final result with this technique is a dramatically flat abdomen with significantly better-defined waistline.

[edit] Circumferential abdominoplasty

An circumferential abdominoplasty is an extended abdominoplasty plus a buttock lift. The resulting scar runs all the way around the body, and the operation is also called a Belt Lipectomy or Body Lift. This operation is most appropriate for patients who have undergone massive weight loss.

[edit] Combination procedures

An abdominoplasty is a component of a lower body lift and can be combined with liposuction contouring, breast reduction, breast lift, or occasionally hysterectomy, depending on the reason for the hysterectomy. A popular name for breast enhancement procedures performed in conjunction with an abdominoplasty is a "Mommy Makeover".

[edit] Recovery

• Depends on the problem to be treated, surgical technique(s), and other factors. Can take one to four weeks and patients are advised to take at least a portion of this recovery time off from work.
• Heavy activity especially is best avoided during this time.
• Initially there may be bruising and discomfort.
• A supportive abdominal binder or compression garment can minimize swelling / bruising, and support the repaired tissues.
• Patients are advised to avoid all forms of nicotine for a month or longer prior to surgery and also during the recovery period.
• Full recovery takes 3 - 6 months, with further fading of scars thereafter.

[edit] Cost

The cost of a "tummy tuck" varies from country to country and even within locales of countries. As with most cosmetic surgery operations, the cost depends on a variety of factors like the age of the patient, their weight and the state of their health. Depending on the individuals, there may also be other costs involved after the operation. This does not include the follow-up visits as required by some doctors.

On average in the United States, this procedure can cost from USD$4,000 to as much as $20,000.

The pre-operative and post-operative care, facility fees, anesthesia, and medications must be taken into consideration when reviewing surgery costs. No surgeries are a guaranteed success and therefore a second procedure or a touch-up may be required to achieve the desired appearance. These costs are typically not included in the original cost.

[edit] Image gallery

The final sutures securing the umbilicus (also known as "belly button") into its new position after an abdominoplasty.

The removal of nearly 100 square centimeters of skin from the abdomen of a 40-year old woman during an abdominoplasty surgery (also known as a "tummy tuck")

Abdominoplasty before & after

[edit] See also

• Lower body lift
• Liposuction
• Abdominal etching