Tummy tuck … what is it? Maybe you’ve heard about it from someone but you have no idea what it is. Or maybe you have an idea what it’s about but what you know is very vague and so you want to know more. Well, you’re spot on! Continue to read and you’ll find out the basics of Tummy Tuck or what is medically known as Abdominoplasty.

Often, tummy tuck is a major topic for people who want a flatter tummy. It is a fact that for some people, getting flat abs is just beyond difficult even after so much sit ups and crunches, and for them, getting a tummy tuck is the only solution in the horizon. This is also true to people who have lost a lot of weight and who are now faced with excess and flabby skin in the tummy area. This is because no amount of exercise can shrink back skin that has sagged so much through the years. For these people, the only solution they see is the removal of the extra sagging skin through surgery.

Abdominoplasty Explained
Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that is done to flatten the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and then tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. Abdominoplasty is a major surgical procedure.

There are two types of Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck: 1) Complete abdominoplasty, and 2) Partial or Mini Abdominoplasty.

Complete Abdominoplasty is more drastic because it involves moving the belly button. This procedure requires a cut in the abdomen from the left hipbone to the right hipbone after which the surgeon will then proceed to shape the skin, the muscle, and the tissue as desired. After the surgery, the patient will need drainage tubes placed under the skin for a few days.

Partial or Mini Abdominoplasty is normally done on people with problem areas below the navel. For example, there are people with excessive fat deposits below the navel area – they are the best candidates for partial or mini abdominoplasty.

Is Abdominoplasty For Everyone?
If you are a woman and you still plan to get pregnant in the future then Abdominoplasty is not for you just yet. Doctors are saying that a woman who has not given birth yet and who still plans to give birth should delay getting the procedure until after her last baby is delivered. This is important because when Abdominoplasty is done, the vertical muscles are tightened and in the event of pregnancy, those muscles will separate, and this is dangerous.

If you are overweight and you’re still struggling with your weight, then no, Abdominoplasty is not yet for you. Get the procedure when you have reached your ideal weight and you have succeeded in maintaining your weight for a relatively long period of time.

Medical experts have identified the best candidates for Abdominoplasty.  Generally, doctors will require that patients who wish to undergo the surgical procedure are in good health. Next, if they are smokers, they should stop smoking at least 2 weeks prior to the surgery. Doctors see this as crucial because smoking can cause complications and will also delay the healing process.