Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

The following "Guide to Cosmetic Plastic Surgery" is an overview to cosmetic plastic surgery and was published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc. 

A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is designed to give you a toner flatter abdomen. The procedure removes excess abdominal skin and may also reduce fat and tighten the muscles of your abdominal wall. It frequently is performed to correct the muscle weakness and lose skin that can occur following multiple pregnancies or significant weight loss.

Abdominoplasty may be done on an outpatient basis or during a brief hospital stay. Generally, a horizontal incision is made just within or above your pubic area. The contour of this incision may vary. The resulting scar is permanent, but your plastic surgeon will try to place it within the lines of the type of bathing suit or undergarments that you typically wear.

If you have loose skin above your navel (belly button), your surgeons may make a second incision around your navel so that the skin can be pulled down and the excess removed. The position of yournavel will not change. If there are stretch marks on your lower abdomen, these may be removed. Any remaining stretch marks may be somewhat flattened, but don’t expect a dramatic improvement.

Abdominoplasty sometimes may be combined with lipoplasty to achieve the best results. If your skin laxity and muscle weakness are limited to the area below the navel, you may be a good candidate for a modified abdominoplasty that leaves a shorter scar and requires no incision around the navel.

The day after surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed and walk for short periods to promote blood circulation. You may be instructed to wear a support garment for several weeks.

You will need to avoid strenuous activity for awhile but should be able to return to work within several weeks.

Illustrations from left to right:    1. An Abdominoplasty incision usually is made just within or above the pubic area and around the navel. Skin (the shaded area) is separated from your abdominal wall.     2. To tighten your abdominal wall, your plastic surgeon will bring loose underlying tissue and muscle together with sutures.     3. Abdominal skin is drawn downward, and the excess is removed. A small opening is made for your navel so that its position remains unchanged.     4. After surgery, you will have a firmer, flatter abdomen. The resulting scars are permanent but will fade to some extent over time.

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The Plastic Surgery Center of Manchester, New Hampshire specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery, including body lifts, breast enlargements, breast lifts, breast reductions, eyelid surgery, ear surgery, facelifts, fat grafting, liposuction, neck and chin surgery, rhinoplasty (nose surgery), surgery after massive weight loss, and tummy tucks. We also offer facial rejuvenation (chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing, Obagi Blue Peels, Glycolic Peels, Microdermabrasion), injectables (Botox) and facial fillers (Radiesse and Restylane) and advanced skin care to patients from all over New England (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts). While no responsible practitioner gives guarantees for the work they do on the human body, we can at least reassure you that you will receive the expertise and dedication of over 30 years in practice. Our patients become an important part of our family and we try to get to know each patient individually and customize their treatment to meet their desires.