Tummy Tuck is also known as abdominoplasty or abdominal wall contouring. Tummy tuck surgery/mini tummy tuck surgery or abdominoplasty/mini abdominoplasty, can flatten your abdomen by removing loose, excess fat and skin and tightening muscles in the abdominal wall. It can also remove some of the stretch marks in your lower abdomen. It is popular following pregnancy, massive weight loss or whenever a flabby abdomen with weak muscles impairs body contour. Most patients report improved self-esteem as a result of this procedure

When to Consider a Tummy Tuck

• 1) If you've got flab, stretch marks or excess skin in your abdomen that does not improve with diet or exercise
• 2) If the shape of your abdomen has been affected by pregnancy or massive weight loss.
• 3) If you feel that your protruding abdomen is unattractive
• 4) If your self-confidence is marred by your abdominal contour

An abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is performed on individuals who have loose skin, wrinkles, or stretch marks in the abdominal area.

The muscles of the abdomen may or may not need to be tightened at the same time as excess skin is removed. In many cases, excess fat that lies between the muscles and the skin is suctioned off with liposuction either before or along with the tummy-tuck. This rids the abdomen of fatty bulk and allows the area to appear smoother, flatter, and thus, more pleasing in appearance.

There are 2 main subcategories of abdominoplasty:

• 1) The mini tummy-tuck
• 2) The full tummy-tuck

Full Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

A full abdominoplasty tightens the muscle structure and removes excess skin from the upper and the lower abdomen. An incision is made in the mid/lower abdomen under the belly button area, and the skin is then lifted up to the rib cage area.

Another small incision is made around the belly button itself so it can be freed from the rest of the skin and brought out through another place on the abdomen as the upper skin is pulled downward, tightened, and repositioned. Excess skin is trimmed away, and the area is stitched together with the lower skin.

Mini Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

One variation of abdominoplasty is the mini-tummy tuck. This uses a shorter incision just at or above the pubic region, similar to the incision for a caesarean section. A mini tummy tuck is a modified tummy tuck that uses a C-section-like incision to tighten muscle and remove excess lower abdominal skin. The ideal candidate for a mini tummy tuck has most of his or her issues below the belly button, and it is usually recommended for patients who have always been in pretty good shape but have plateaued with diet and exercise. This procedure is ideal for people who have less excess tummy area skin or fat that is localized in the mid-abdomen area and want to tighten the abdominal area below the belly button

After Abdominoplasty

The patient is required to wear a firm compression support garment for a four to six weeks to achieve maximum shrinkage and a smoother appearance. Physical activities will also be limited. For more information on the risks, benefits, & details of tummy tuck surgery, contact Star Hospital, Udaipur & Dr. Ashutosh Soni an expert Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon for details.