What You Need to Know About Tummy Tuck

Reviewed by Reviewed by Richard J. Greco, MD, FACS

More than 130,000 tummy tucks were performed in the United States in 2005, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a major cosmetic plastic surgery that tightens abdominal muscles and gets rid of excess fat and skin.

The Tummy Tuck Procedure

Abdominoplasty is often performed under general anesthesia (you sleep through the procedure). It can also be performed using a local anesthetic with a sedative. There may be some discomfort with local anesthesia. Time in surgery is about two to five hours.

A tummy tuck usually begins with a long incision across the abdomen, from hip bone to hip bone. The shape of the incision is like a V, with a flat bottom. The flat part of the V occurs at the bottom point of the abdomen immediately above the pubic area. The sides of the V form angles along the pelvis up to the top of the hip bone. A second incision is made to free the navel from the abdominal tissue.

The skin is separated from the abdominal wall, up to the ribs, exposing the vertical abdominal muscles (rectus muscles). The rectus muscles are then stitched into a new position, tightening the muscles and reducing the waistline. After the muscles have been repositioned and tightened, the excess skin is stretched and removed.

The remaining skin is redraped over the abdominal area and sutured in place. The hole created by the incision around the belly button is normally removed when the excess skin is cut away, and a new hole is formed to place the navel proportionally.

After Tummy Tuck Surgery

Tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure — you can expect a considerable recovery time compared with other plastic surgeries. Most people require one to three weeks before returning to work and a normal schedule. Some patients may not need an overnight hospital stay. But many patients spend one or two days in the hospital, depending on the extent of the procedure. Your abdomen will be swollen and sore for the first few days. Your surgeon can prescribe pain medication as needed.

It is a good idea to exercise after surgery, but only after enough healing time has passed so that you can exercise comfortably.

The abdominal scars will appear to worsen during the first three to six months, and may take nine months before they flatten and lighten in color. The scars never completely disappear, but they are located to be easily hidden by clothing.

Tummy Tuck Alternatives

The purpose of tummy tuck plastic surgery is to change your body shape, not to lose weight. If fat is localized in the abdomen, but there is no excessive skin, then liposuction is an alternative to tummy tuck. Liposuction and tummy tuck are not usually done at the same time, because suction of the skin during liposuction may damage the skin that is being stretched and repositioned.

Obese patients, or those who have large amounts of loose excess skin, may undergo a modification of the tummy tuck procedure called panniculectomy.

For less severe conditions, you may want to consider the less-invasive mini tummy tuck.

Tummy tuck surgery, like other cosmetic plastic surgery, is a means to enhance body shape, but it cannot create a perfect shape. You should have realistic expectations and understand that a tummy tuck is not a "quick fix" or a substitute for diet and exercise. Talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon to help you decide which surgical options are best for you.

[page updated May 2008]