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As a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), this physician is among a select group of board-certified plastic surgeons who have attained the highest level of achievement in cosmetic surgical training, continuing education and clinical experience.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is designed to give you a smoother, flatter abdomen. The procedure removes excess abdominal skin and may also reduce fat and tighten the muscles of your abdominal wall. It frequently is performed to correct the muscle weakness and loose skin that can occur following multiple pregnancies or significant weight loss.

An abdominoplasty incision usually is made just within or above the pubic area and around the navel. Skin in the shaded area is seperated from your abdominal wall.

Abdominoplasty may be done on an outpatient basis or during a brief hospital stay. Generally, horizontal incision is made just within or above your pubic area. The contour of this incision may vary. The resulting scar is permanent, but your plastic surgeon will try to place it with the lines of the type of bathing suit or undergarments that you typically wear.

To tighten your abdominal wall, your plastic surgeon will bring loose underlying tissue and muscle together with sutures.

If you have loose skin above you navel (belly button), your surgeon may make a second incision around your navel so that the skin can be pulled down and the excess removed. The position of your navel will not change. If there are stretch marks on your lower abdomen, these may be removed. Any remaining stretch marks may be somewhat flattened, but don't expect a dramatic improvement.

Abdominal skin is drawn downward, and the excess is removed. A small opening is made for your navl so that its position remains unchanged.

Abdominoplasty sometimes may be combined with lipoplasty to achieve the best results. If your skin laxity and muscle weakness are limited to the area below the navel, you may be a good candidate for a modified abdominoplasty that leaves a shorter scar and requires no incision around the navel. Another technique for minimizing scars uses an endoscope; this procedure may be an option if you have only a minimal amount of excess skin and muscle laxity.

After surgery, you will have a firmer, flatter abdomen. The resulting scars are permanent but will fade to some extent over time.