What is a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is an operation designed to remove loose skin and stretch marks of the abdomen as well as to tighten the abdominal muscles surgically.

What are the benefits of a tummy tuck?

The benefits of a tummy tuck are a tighter, flatter stomach without stretch marks (or at least, minimizing stretch marks) on the abdomen. Patients also tell me that they fit their clothes better after a tummy tuck.

Who is an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck?

The ideal candidate for a tummy tuck is someone who is through with her child-bearing and has loose, hanging skin of the abdomen with or without stretch marks. For women with good skin elasticity and minimal loose skin, liposuction may provide a good result. If there is too much loose skin or, if there are stretch marks, then a tummy tuck would be a better operation. A tummy tuck also helps tighten up loose stomach muscles so that the stomach does not protrude as much.

How long does tummy tuck surgery take?

Usually, a tummy tuck takes about two to three and a half hours to perform depending on the size of the patient and the looseness of the stomach muscles.

Is anesthesia used during the tummy tuck procedure?

Most doctors perform tummy tucks under general anesthesia.

Are there risks and complications to a tummy tuck?

As with any surgery, there are potential risks. With a tummy tuck, the main risks include the scar, which goes from hip to hip across the lower stomach and around the belly button. Scars tend to flatten and fade with time, however, sometimes scars can be thick and tender. There may also be numbness of the skin of the stomach area. This numbness may take a long time to go away if it ever goes away at all. If enough blood does not get to the edges of the skin flap that is raised, some of the skin of the abdomen may not survive. This may require further surgery to correct.

How is a tummy tuck performed?

A tummy tuck is performed through an incision extending from hip to hip across the lower abdomen. The incision is taken down through the skin and fat to the level of the stomach muscles. We then undermine the skin all the way up to the ribs on each side. When we get to the belly button, we simply cut around the belly button, leaving it intact. After the skin has been raised, we can put stitches in the stomach muscles to tighten them. The extra skin is then pulled down, removed, and the skin edges are stitched back together. A new hole is made in the skin for the belly button.