A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin while tightening weakened abdominal muscles for a flatter, smoother, and more toned midsection. It also gets rid of wrinkled skin and stretch marks. Both women and men can benefit from this extremely effective body contouring surgery.

Pregnancy, weight pain, and weight loss have a devastating impact on a woman’s abdomen. Only rarely can exercise fully restore the abdomen wall to its flat, desirable shape after the skin and muscles have been stretched to their limit. After losing weight, men can also have difficulties regaining their youthful flat abdomen.

Liposuction is ideal to contour the abdomen for those who have good skin tone and excess fat that is resistant to diet and exercise, but the tummy tuck is a better procedure for women and men who have loose abdominal skin following pregnancy and weight loss.

The ideal candidate for tummy tuck surgery is one who meets most of the following criteria:

• Is close to her/his ideal body weight (within 30%)
• Wants to remove specific areas of loose skin or fat that is diet- and exercise-resistant
• Weight has been stable for 6 months or more
• Has good skin tone and elasticity
• Is good skin tone and elasticity
• Is emotionally stable
• Understand the risk of abdominoplasty surgery and scarring

If you do not meet all of these criteria but meet some of them, you may still be a good candidate for a tummy tuck. Although the traditional tummy tuck procedure is most suited for those who are close to their ideal body weight, if you have a lot of fat in an isolated area, you may still be a good candidate.

If you intend to lose a lot of weight, wait until after your weight loss to schedule your abdominoplasty. If you plan on future pregnancies, you should wait to have surgery until you are done having children, as pregnancy will stretch the abdomen again. 

You are at increased risk of complications if you have diabetes, poor circulation, heart, lung, or liver disease, smoke, have a family history of blood clots, take certain medications, or are obese. If any of these conditions exist, you probably should not have an abdominoplasty procedure.

A full tummy tuck addresses the 3 defective components (skin, fat, and muscle), so it benefits most patients who want a flat stomach and skin as tight as possible. Results, especially when combined with liposuction of the flanks, are dramatic. The procedure can be done totally under local anesthesia (tumescent technique), twilight anesthesia, or general anesthesia, depending on individual patient preference and needs. A relatively long incision in the bikini line just above the pubic area is made. A second incision is made around the belly button.

The fascia is then sutured in order to tighten loose or stretched out muscles located below the fascia. This step creates a tighter abdomen and a thinner waist. The skin is stretched down, and the excess skin and fat are removed. A new opening is cut on the skin for the repositioning of the belly button. Usually drains are inserted to prevent fluid and blood buildup. Every effort is made to hide the scars in the bikini area. The incision is then closed, and a firm dressing is placed on the abdomen. Liposuction to remove excess fat from hips and flanks is often performed at the time of a tummy tuck for a better body contour.

A mini tummy tuck or partial abdominoplasty is best suited for patients who have a pouch below the belly button, who do not have significant stretch marks, saggy skin, or a hooded belly button. The procedure is less invasive than a full tummy tuck. While a full tummy tuck involves an incision around the belly button and across the lower abdomen, a mini tummy tuck leaves the belly button intact and involves a smaller incision. The excess of skin and fat is removed, and tightening of the muscles is performed. Liposuction is frequently done with this procedure to remove excess fat above and below the belly button to enhance body contour.

We adopted a revolutionary minimally invasive approach to Tummy Tuck that can be safely and effectively performed as an office procedure under local tumescent anesthesia and sedation anesthesia. The technique called Abdominoplasty combines two procedures: liposuction of the abdomen and tummy tuck. By avoiding the use of general anesthesia (and complications associated with this type of anesthesia), this new procedure offers an improved postoperative recovery.

Most patients return to light activities within 10–14 days, with full recovery in about 4–6 weeks. Dr. Huertas provides detailed post-operative care instructions for optimal healing.

Incisions are placed low along the bikini line, and scars typically fade significantly over time, often becoming barely noticeable.

Yes. Many patients combine a Tummy Tuck with Liposuction 360 or as part of a Mommy Makeover for comprehensive contouring.