Tummy Tuck: How to Permanently Get Rid of Loose, Sagging Belly Skin

Woman in cut-off jean shorts and bare tummy

Many people strive for a flat, firm and well-toned abdomen, and in many cases exercise and diet can help people achieve this goal.

In some cases, though, fitness, weight control and nutrition are not enough to allow individuals of otherwise normal body weight and proportion to have a flat, firm abdomen. Heredity, pregnancy, aging, significant fluctuations in weight and prior surgery can cause individuals to develop and abdomen that protrudes or is loose or sagging.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

Also known as abdominoplasty or body contouring, a tummy tuck is described by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as a procedure which removes excess fat and skin, changing the texture of the skin by stretching it and thereby making the looseness and wrinkling less apparent. In most cases, a tummy tuck also restores weakened or separated abdominal muscles, creating a tummy and abdomen that is both smoother and firmer.

Anesthesisa

Medications are administered for the patient's comfort and safety during the surgical procedures. The physician will choose between intravenous sedation and general anesthesia.

The Incisions

An incision is made across the lower abdomen from hipbone to hipbone; the shape and length of the incision will be determined by the degree of correction necessary.
A second incision may be made around the belly button.
The skin and fat are separated from the abdominal wall, and excess fat, tissue and are then removed.
The abdominal muscles are tightened by shortening them and suturing them together.
A small incision creates a new opening for the belly button, which is brought out through the opening and sutured to the new skin.
Drains may be placed in the skin and removed a few days later. The drains reduce swelling by collecting excess blood and fluid.
Closing the Incisions
All incisions are closed with sutures, skin adhesives, tapes or clips.

Tummy Tuck Surgery Results

The tummy tuck surgery will result in a flatter, firmer abdominal contour. The final results will likely be obscured by swelling and a temporary inability to stand fully upright until internal healing is complete.
Within one to two weeks the patient should be able to stand tall and observe a slimmer profile.

Issues a Tummy Tuck Will Not Resolve

Weight Loss: A tummy tuck is not a substitute for practicing healthy nutrition, dieting, weight loss or an appropriate exercise program.
Stretch Marks: A tummy tuck will not correct stretch marks, although stretch marks may be removed or reduced if they are located on the areas of excess skin that will be excised during the tummy tuck.

Is a Tummy Tuck Permanent?

Technically, the results of a tummy tuck are permanent, however the positive outcome can be greatly reduced by significant fluctuations in weight following the procedure. For this reason, individuals who are planning significant weight loss or women who plan to become pregnant in the future are generally advised to postpone a tummy tuck.

Tummy Tuck Scars

Loose skin cannot be removed without leaving scars, and tummy tucks involve long incisions that result in long scars. Plastic surgeons make every effort to give patients the best scars possible, and to conceal them in the least visible areas. Surgeons will also advise patients about the type of scars they are likely to get during pre-operative consultations, although it is impossible to predict exactly how wide, high and dark scars will be.

Ideal Tummy Tuck Candidates

An ideal candidate for abdominoplasty is someone who:

Has excess or sagging abdominal skin
Has abdominal muscles that have been separated and weakened
Is bothered by the feeling that their stomach is disproportionately large
Is physically healthy and at a stable weight (for 6 months or more) and is close to their ideal body weight (within 30%)
Wants to remove specific areas of loose skin or fat that is diet- and exercise-resistant
Has good skin tone and elasticity
Has realistic expectations
Is emotionally stable
Does not smoke, as smoking can hinder post-operative healing
In the case of women, who does not plan to become pregnant following the surgery.
Understands the risks of abdominoplasty surgery

Safety & Risks of Abdominoplasty

As with any elective surgery, the decision to have a tummy tuck is extremely personal, and should be made by the patient, for the patient, and not because of a desire to look like or please someone else. It's up to the patient to decide if the benefits will both achieve her/his goals and outweigh the risks and potential complications.

For this reason, it is critical to do detailed research, both about which procedures will have the best results, and most importantly, how to find the best surgeon.

The plastic surgeon and/or medical team will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery, and patients are required to sign consent forms to ensure that they fully understand the procedure and any risks or potential complications.

Some of the possible risks of a tummy tuck include: