A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, removes excess abdominal skin and fat while tightening the underlying muscles — a combination that diet and exercise alone often can't achieve once skin has stretched from pregnancy, major weight loss, or age.
Good candidates are generally at a stable weight and in good overall health, with either loose skin or separated abdominal muscles (and in some cases a ventral hernia) that they'd like addressed. There are a few variations of the procedure: a full abdominoplasty for more extensive correction, a mini-abdominoplasty for smaller amounts of excess skin with a shorter recovery, and a circumferential version that also addresses the lower back.
During surgery, the sagging tissue is marked and separated, excess fat is removed, the abdominal muscles are tightened and sutured into place, and the remaining skin is pulled taut — which often reduces the appearance of stretch marks along the way.
Beyond the visible contour change, patients often report better posture, less lower back strain, and in some cases improvement in bladder function and mild urinary incontinence. Recovery time varies with the extent of the procedure — a mini-tuck heals noticeably faster than a full abdominoplasty.
