Tummy Tuck Procedure

Learn How Abdominoplasty Procedures are Performed


A tummy tuck procedure, or abdominoplasty, removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles reducing the appearance of a protruding abdomen. Tummy tuck aids both men and women with large fat deposits or loose abdominal skin that won’t respond to diet or exercise. Women who have experienced multiple pregnancies benefit extremely well from this procedure. Loss of skin elasticity due to age and often accompanied by weight gain can also be treated with a tummy tuck procedure.

There are three types of tummy tuck procedures:

  • Full or Traditional Tummy Tuck
  • Mini or Partial Tummy Tuck
  • Extended Tummy Tuck

The mini tummy tuck is the least extensive procedure and is typically for patients whose fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel. Liposuction may be performed in conjunction with both the full and mini tuck, and in some patients, liposuction alone may provide the best result. Likewise, Panniculectomy, a liposuction assisted procedure in which drastic skin and fat removal is necessary, may provide the best possible result.

In consultation, your plastic surgeon will take into account your age, weight, and condition of your skin as to whether you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck at this time. Scarring will result, but incisions are made where they will appear as inconspicuous as possible.

Before Tummy Tuck Procedure

  1. Avoid medicines containing aspirin or ibuprofen a few weeks prior to surgery.
  2. Eat a balanced nutrient-rich diet before and after surgery. A healthy diet will help speed recovery.
  3. Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery, unless instructed differently by an anesthesia provider.
  4. Do not wear make-up or contact lenses to surgery.
  5. Arrange to have someone take you home after surgery and stay with you that evening and, if possible, help you around the house for a few days while you recover.

The Procedure


Performing a full tummy tuck surgery typically takes two to five hours depending on the extent of the procedure. A mini tummy tuck may take an hour or two. The procedure is performed in a hospital or state accredited surgery center on an outpatient basis. Patients are given general anesthesia during this procedure. The following is a basic overview of how tummy tuck procedure is done

Full Tummy Tuck

  1. After the patient is anesthetized, the surgeon makes one incision from hipbone to hipbone. The second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue.
  2. Working through the incision, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and lifts a large skin flap to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen.
  3. The surgeon pulls the muscles close together and stitches them in their new position. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline.
  4. The surgeon stretches the skin over the new underlying structure and removes excess skin.
  5. A new hole is cut for the navel, which is then stitched in place.
  6. Finally the skin flap is stretched back into place, drainage tubes are inserted, and bandages are applied.

Mini Tummy Tuck

  1. After the patient is anesthetized, the surgeon makes one incision from hipbone to hipbone. The navel is not moved as with full abdominoplasty.
  2. Working through the incision, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall from the incision line to the navel. The surgeon pulls the muscles close together and stitches them in their new position. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline.
  3. The surgeon stretches the skin over the new underlying structure and removes excess skin.
  4. Finally, the skin flap is stretched back into place, drainage tubes are inserted, and bandages are applied.

After Surgery

After the procedure, patients may experience numbness, bruising, swelling or discomfort in the abdomen. This is normal and will pass with time. Incision site pain is usually minimal, and can be controlled with medication, if necessary.

Stitches are removed in five to seven days following surgery. Deeper sutures are removed in two to three weeks. Patients will be given a support garment, which should be worn for one month. You should walk around as soon as possible to encourage blood circulation.

Scars will appear to worsen during the first few month as they heal, but will eventually fade as the healing process continues. It may take one year before scars completely flatten out and lighten in color.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

Most patients are back at work within two weeks after tummy tuck surgery but should continue to take it easy. The stronger your abdominal muscles, the faster you’ll tummy tuck recovery will be. Although patients are ready to return to work, they should plan to limit rigorous activity for several weeks. After that, you can resume these activities slowly.

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