Abdominoplasty,
or tummy tuck, surgically removes excess fat
from the abdominal area, smoothing, flattening, and
even tightening the stomach. It can be performed
alone, or in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery
procedures, such as liposuction.
The
procedure, usually performed on an outpatient basis
under local or general anesthesia, is begun with
an incision being made at the lower part
of the abdomen.
The skin is moved aside, muscles tightened, and excess
skin removed before suturing the incision back together.
The recovery from
abdominoplasty requires that patients avoid anything
strenuous for
3-4 weeks. During much of this time, supportive gear
will have to be worn. Some minor achiness will also
be felt, but can be easily remedied with pain medication.
Potential risks should
be considered when pursuing plastic sugery, as almost
all surgical
procedures hold some degree of risk. Abdominoplasty
may involve infection or bleeding and poor healing
or scarring.
