Abdominoplasty

The Center for Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery

Abdominoplasty, also called a tummy tuck, is a procedure in which the loose skin and tissue around the tummy area are resculpted to eliminate the rolls, sagging, and excess skin that often develop due to aging, weight loss, and other factors.

The abdominoplasty procedure consists of procedures to eliminate excess fat, to tighten the underlying stomach muscles, and to tighten the skin, leaving patients with a slimmer, trimmer, more attractive waist.

There are two general types of abdominoplasty currently available: Complete abdominoplasty and partial abdominoplasty.

Complete Abdominoplasty

Complete abdominoplasty is a procedure in which the surgeon makes an incision from one hipbone to the next, detaches the navel, then lifts the skin up over the entire abdominal area. This allows the surgeon to separate and tighten the abdominal muscles from the bottom of the ribcage to the pelvic area, creating a trimmer waistline. Once this is completed, the surgeon will remove excess skin, pull the area tight, and cut a new navel to replace the original one displaced by the procedure.

Partial Abdominoplasty (mini-tummy tuck)

Partial abdominoplasty is a less extensive version of the abdominoplasty procedure, in which the surgeon makes a smaller incision near the pelvic line, and then lifts the skin over the lower abdominal area without detaching the navel. As with the complete procedure, the surgeon tightens the muscles in the area, and stretches the skin tightly over the newly sculpted area, removing excess skin in the process.

Frequently Asked Abdominoplasty Questions