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Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty
An abdominoplasty is an operation that is designed to remove excess skin
from the abdomen while tightening the abdominal muscles. Unlike
liposuction surgery, which just removes fat, abdominoplasty 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
abdominoplasty surgery will depend on the amount of excess skin and the
laxity of the abdominal muscles.
The objective of a tummy tuck is to improve the contour of the body by
flattening and narrowing the abdomen. The best candidates for the surgery
are those individuals who are of normal weight but with weak abdominal
muscles and excess skin and fat. Age, obesity and smoking habits are some
of the factors the physician considers when evaluating a candidate for
this procedure.
In some cases, liposuction surgery can be combined with excision of excess
abdominal skin instead of a more complete tummy tuck. Although this does
not give as good a skin tightening, it does result in much smaller scares
and a shorter recovery period. When a full tummy tuck is contemplated,
however, extensive liposuction is best delayed until a later time, since
there seems to be a higher chance of complications when the two procedures
are combined. Occasionally, minor additional liposuction is done after the
original operation.
Each year thousands of abdominoplasties are successfully performed. The
amount of improvement from a tummy tuck is individual and depends upon the
extent of surgery and the patient's skin tone, body build and healing
process. While it remains a popular option for both men and women, it is
an extensive surgical procedure. Patients must be prepared for a few weeks
of recovery and be willing to accept a long scar that is a necessary part
of the surgical procedure.
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