Adults with the above abdominal problems, of any age who are in good health, moderately fit and overall have good muscle tone. They should not have any life threatening illness or medical conditions. Patients who smoke can have an increased risk of complications. Previous abdominal surgery may limit the potential results of tummy tuck. Women who have undergone caesarian section have the opportunity to have the existing scar revised. Patients whose weight has been stabilised after weight loss program or feel they are at their ideal weight are also good candidates for a tummy.

A tummy tuck will enhance your figure and your self-confidence, its not likely to change your life or the way people treat you. A tummy tuck is not a substitute for weight loss or exercise program. Patients who are planning substantial weight loss or women who are considering future pregnancies may be advised to postpone a tummy tuck.

Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a procedure in which the protruding, loose, sagging or pendulous skin of the abdomen is corrected. The area to be treated may include the lower abdomen or centre of the abdomen or may extend to the rib cage and sides. Abdominal contouring can be done by liposuction alone if only localised fat is present. When excess fat is combined with loose, sagging skin, tummy tuck removes unwanted fat and skin by excision. This procedure is usually done under general anaesthesia. A low transverse incision, similar to a caesarian incision is used to lift the excess fat and skin off the abdominal muscles. In a limited abdominoplasty, the umbilicus is not disturbed and only loose skin and fat under the umbilicus is removed. Where excess skin and fat above the umbilicus has to be removed a full abdominoplasty is done and then the umbilicus is re-sited. Once the skin and fat of the abdomen is lifted up, then the muscles of the abdomen are tightened to improve the contour. Liposuction may be used along with a tummy tuck to improve the contour, called lipoabdominoplasty. Excess skin and fat is removed and skin closed. A small thin tube may be used temporarily to drain any accumulated fluid.

There might be bruising and swelling after surgery that should subside in 3 - 6 weeks. You may have drains that will be removed once the drainage stops. This usually takes 2 - 5 days. Once the drainage stops, you should be able to go home from the hospital. Your abdominal skin will be tight after surgery and you may have to walk stooped for a few days till the existing skin stretches. Wounds normally heal in 7 days to 2 weeks. Once all swelling and bruising has subsided you should expect a flatter, more shapely abdomen. If liposuction has been done along with tummy tuck, expect improvement in figure in those areas as well. A tummy tuck will improve your figure, posture, size of clothes that you wear and overall confidence. This in turn will lead to improvement in self-esteem.

Possible risks include bleeding and collection of blood under the skin (hematoma), fluid accumulation, infection or poor healing at the incision site. These risks are common to many operations and can be dealt with easily. Blood clots in the deep veins of the leg is a problem associated with lying still for too long. Any surgery carries risks associated with anaesthesia. These risks will be fully discussed with you prior to your consent for surgery.y The low transverse abdominal scar usually heals very nicely but occasionally may undergo hypertrophy and in a person with keloidal tendency may become a keloid. Your Aesthetic surgeon at Aesthetics will tell you ways to avoid and treat these if they happen..