Abdominoplasty

Definition

An abdominoplasty is also known as a tummy tuck, it is a surgical procedure in which excess skin and fat in the abdominal area is removed and the abdominal muscles are tightened.

Purpose

An abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that treats loose or sagging abdominal skin. Good candidates for abdominoplasty are individuals in good health and who have tried to address this issue with diet and exercise with little or no results.

Women who have had multiple pregnancies often seek abdominoplasty to help get rid of loose abdominal skin. While in most cases diet and exercise is enough to reduce abdominal fat and loose skin after pregnancy, sometimes these conditions may persist. Abdominoplasty is not recommended for women who wish to have further pregnancies because the effects of the surgery may be undone.

Another common reason for abdominoplasty is to remove excess skin from a person who has lost a large amount of weight or is obese. A pannus is large area of overhanging skin. Older patients are at an increased risk of developing a pannus because the skin loses elasticity as you age. If a large area of excess tissue is removed, the procedure is called a panniculectomy.

Contraindications

Certain patients should not undergo abdominoplasty. These patients include:

• Women who wish to have future pregnancies
• Individuals who wish to lose a large amount of weight after surgery
• Patients with unrealistic expectations
• Those who are unable to deal with post-surgical scars
• Patients who have had abdominal surgery previously
• Heavy smokers