TUMMY TUCK ( ABDOMINOPLASTY )

Beauty for life: Enhancing your appearance with a tummy tuck
A flat and well-toned abdomen is something many of us strive for through exercise and weight control. Sometimes these methods cannot achieve their goals.
Even individuals of otherwise normal body weight and proportion can develop an abdomen that protrudes or is loose and sagging.

The most common causes of this include:
* Pregnancy
* Aging
* Significant fluctuations in weight
* Heredity
* Prior surgery

Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin, and in most cases restores weakened or separated muscles creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.

What it won’t do:
A tummy tuck is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program.
Although the results of a tummy tuck are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For this reason, individuals who are planning substantial weight loss or women who may be considering future pregnancies may be advised to postpone a tummy tuck.
Also, a tummy tuck cannot correct stretch marks, although these may be removed or somewhat improved if they are located on the areas of excess skin that will be excised, generally those areas below the belly button.

Is it right for me?
Tummy tuck surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.
Abdominoplasty is a good option for you if:
* You are physically healthy and at a stable weight,
* You have realistic expectations,
* You are a non-smoker,
* You are bothered by the feeling that your tummy is too large.

Objective of abdominoplasty
Every abdominoplasty should have the folowing objectives, and every described technique should be measured against these objectives:
(1) place the incisions within the bikini line;
(2) reduce or eliminate striae;
(3) flatten and tighten the abdomen;
(4) decrease the size of the waistline;
(5) decrease the thickness of the subcutaneous fat throughout the abdomen, flanks, and iliac areas;
(6) rejuvenate the pubis from a triangular  senescent to an oval youthful form;
(7) lift the lax anterolateral  thigh skin near the groin crease and iliac areas; 
(8) create a well defined xiphoumbilical depression;
(9) give the illusion of an athletic abdomen;
(10) change body posture;
(11) correct any hernia; 
(12) relieve back pain if  this is related to muscle laxity of the abdomen.
The technique described herein attains these objectives. In many patients  with severe aesthetic and functional problems, it is a truly rehabilitative operation. In all, there are four surgical components.
   

Procedural steps: What happens during tummy tuck surgery?

Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 – The incision
A full tummy tuck requires a horizontally-oriented incision in the area between the pubic hairline and navel. The shape and length of the incision will be determined by the degree of correction necessary. Through this incision, weakened abdominal muscles are repaired and sutured and excess fat, tissue and skin is removed.
A second incision around the navel may be necessary to remove excess skin in the upper abdomen.

 My recovery