A tummy tuck is a body contouring technique to reshape and firm the abdomen. Medically known as ‘abdominoplasty’, tummy tucks involve the removal of excess skin and fat deposits from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the muscle of the abdominal wall.

Tummy tucks are usually sought by men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by fat deposits or loose abdominal skin that does not respond well to diet and exercise.

The surgery is particularly helpful to women (who are not considering having any more children), wishing to correct changes from multiple pregnancies, having stretched their abdominal muscles and surrounding skin beyond a point where they can return to normal shape. Tummy tucks can also help with the loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which occurs with natural aging or obesity.

There are two varieties of abdominoplasty:

• Complete – this requires two to five hours
• Partial – this requires one to two hours

Abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance, self-esteem and confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your persona, or cause people to treat you differently. Before deciding to have a tummy tuck, chat to Sydney Breast Enlargement and Dr. Lai about your goals for the procedure.

Abdominoplasty does produce scarring, which may take nine to twelve months before completely flattening, softening and lightening in colour. Depending on the extent of the surgery required, the scarring can extend from hip to hip.

Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight after the procedure should postpone the surgery. Also, women planning to have future pregnancies should consider waiting, as muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can separate during pregnancy.

Some people return to work after tummy tucks in two weeks, whilst others may take three to four weeks before returning.

The results of abdominoplasty are long lasting if diet and exercise are maintained at healthy levels.