Significant abdominal weight loss such as after pregnancy or a successful diet and exercise regime can leave excess sikin and fat that can be very difficult to tichten. The tummy tuck or  abdominoplasty is the most popular cosmetic procedure for removing this excess skin and fat from around the stomach area.

Many women choose tummy tucks after child birth, and both men and women often undertake an abdominoplasty if they cannot flatten their tummies even with exercise. This tummy tuck guide explains everything you need to know about the procedure...

Name of plastic surgery procedure: Abdominal reduction, also called an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck.

Part(s) of body affected: Abdomen.

Condition addressed: With women the concern is excess skin and fat, aggravated by rapid weight loss associated with pregnancy. For men, it is the desire to remove excess skin and fat, and tightening of muscles, after weight loss through diet/exercise or other cosmetic prcedures.

Benefits of a tummy tuck: A firmer, flatter tummy, and can reduce the appearance of stretch marks on your lower abdomen. Excess skin and fat can be removed, abdominal contours and scars improved and muscles tightened.

Suitable for...

• Anyone who has abdominal skin and fat.

• If you are unable to tighten the abdominal wall skin with exercise or wish to achieve a smoother, flatter abdomen.

• There is no specific treatment for stretch marks but many of them are cut out in an abdominal reduction and those that are left are tightened making them look less obvious.

• This is not a treatment for weight control or a substitute for regular physical activity and healthy balanced diet.

Procedure: The excess skin and fat of the abdominal wall between the pubic area and the navel is removed leaving the navel in place. The skin of the abdominal wall is then drawn down to suture it to the pubic level. Any looseness of the muscles of the abdominal wall or hernia is also repaired.

Liposuction may be carried out during this procedure to thin the abdominal wall.

Pre-op: If you are overweight you'll need to diet - you'll get the best results if you're the correct weight for your height.

If you're taking the contraceptive pill you should stop doing so for six weeks before surgery and use an alternative method in order to reduce the risk of thrombosis. If you smoke there is a greater risk of chest infection and healing of the abdominal wound is not as good.

On the day: The cosmetic procedure takes two to three hours under general anesthetic and you'll need to be in hospital for one to three days. When you wake up for your operation you'll probably be having a transfusion of salt solution to provide you with the fluid you need, also drainage tubes coming out of each side of the lower abdomen to drain any collection of blood or serum.

Expect some pain for which you will be given painkillers. You will be asked to keep your knees and hips bent to take the strain off your stitches.

Recovery: Rest and wear a light support garment. Over-activity in the early days reduces healing and increases fluid accumulation. Light activities are comfortable in 10 to 20 days, but no sports or vigorous activity for about six weeks. 

A corset is usually helpful to reduce the swelling and improve comfort in the first month. Stitches are removed in five to seven days - deeper ones two to three weeks after surgery. You can usually return to work in two to four weeks.

Results: While the tummy tuck operation results in a firmer, flatter tummy, you are left with noticeable scars which can take months to settle.

Potential risks or side effects: While this is a commonly performed and generally safe plastic surgery operation there are a number of side effects and possible complications to consider including scarring, numbness, swelling and secondary plastic surgery procedures.

Length of benefit: The beneficial effects of the tummy tuck  operation will last  further if you keep exercising your muscles and maintain a steady weight. Further pregnancies will of course stretch the skin again, although probably not to the same degree.

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