Tummy Tuck Surgery

The tummy tuck is an operation that is designed to remove excess skin from the abdomen at the same time, tightening the abdominal muscles. It is indicated in cases where there is laxity of the abdomen resulting in bulging due to abnormal stretching of the abdominal muscles and skin. Unlike liposuction surgery, which just removes fat, this operation involves removal of skin and fat, with tightening of the abdominal muscles. For this reason, it is more extensive than liposuction. The actual extent of surgery will depend on the amount of excess skin and the laxity of the abdominal muscles.

Prior to tummy tuck surgery, the amount of skin that is to be removed is carefully marked. The operation is usually carried out under general anesthesia. An incision is made in the bikni line and the excess skin is pulled down and inward, and is removed along with underlying fatty tissue. The muscles are tightened as required, the skin is carefully redraped and the incision closed with several layers of suture.


How is Tummy Tuck done?

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, Complete Abdominoplasty takes about 3 - 4 hours where as Partial Abdominoplasty takes about 1 - 2 hours. Depending on how extensive a Tummy Tuck procedure is, hospitalizion for 2 - 3 days is required after Tummy Tuck surgery.

Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck requires a horizontal incision across lower abdomen(within or above the pubic area). The length of the incision varies depending on the amount of skin to be removed. In some cases an incision around the navel is made so that the excess skin above the navel is pulled downward and removed. The navel's position remains unchanged The skin flap is then stretched down, extra skin is removed and the skin incision is stitched and bandaged to ensure proper healing with minimum scarring.

If large amounts of fat needs to be removed from the abdominal area, Tummy Tuck may be accompanied with Liposuction.