Also known as a “tummy-tuck”, this is a major procedure which results in a flatter abdomen and a smaller waistline. It involves the surgical removal of excess skin and fat of the abdominal area. This is an in-patient hospital procedure which takes from 2 to 6 hours under general anesthesia. Patient stays in the hospital from 5 to 7 days.
The surgical approach of the tummy tuck operation involves a wide curvilinear incision from the left side to the right side, mobilization of the skin from the pubic region up to the ribs, and placing of drains.
Depending on the amount of excess fat to be removed, abdominal liposuction is an excellent method of spot reduction for the abdomen and waist and is often considered as the preferred initial procedure.
Abdominal skin contracts remarkably after liposuction. If there is loose skin still remaining after 6 months, this can be easily removed as an outpatient surgery procedure under local anesthesia only. Abdominal liposuction entails less risk than a tummy-tuck and may be done as an outpatient procedure. The patient is able to walk around immediately after the procedure.