Sometimes dieting and exercise are not enough to improve the appearance of the waistline.  Pregnancies and weight gain often, followed by weight loss, result in both stretched out skin and extra skin.  Neither of these problems respond to exercise.  In such cases, a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) will improve the shape of the abdomen and waist.  A tummy tuck is the surgical tightening of the abdominal muscles and the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdomen.  Liposuction is often used to enhance the improvement in the abdominal contour and accentuate the waist and abdominal musculature. 

Reasons for Considering an Abdominoplasty:

• Inability of dieting and exercise to improve the appearance of the abdomen.
• Excessive accumulation of skin following weight loss.
• Loss of skin elasticity
• Laxity of the abdominal muscles due to pregnancy or abdominal weight gain.
• The removal of excess skin, stretch marks, and fat to produce a more flattering look.

General Procedure

To begin the procedure, an incision is made just above the pubic bone area and extended along the lower abdomen, toward the hip bones.  The skin is then elevated  from the muscle.  The belly button is left in place and the excess skin is removed.  The abdominal muscles are tightened along the midline, to re-align the rectus muscles.  The skin is re-draped and the belly button is positioned anatomically.    Liposuction is used to contour the waist and develop a muscular appearance to the abdomen.   

Recovery Process

Generally, post-operative instructions call for rest for the initial days following the procedure.  It is important, however, that patients walk the day of surgery and several times each day following the surgery.  Lifting is limited for 6 weeks post-operatively.  Drains are placed to remove excess fluid and to minimize post-operative swelling.  Post-operative pain is minimized with pain pumps that deliver local anesthesia to the abdomen.  This decreases the number of pain pills that patient require in the initial post-operartive period.  Normal activities are limited for 2 weeks and are gradually resumed by six weeks post-operatively.  It may take a year for the body to heal completely.