What is tummy tuck

Ask a Surgeon. Patient Community. Post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons or share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community or post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons. Share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community. My Account. Cosmetic Procedures Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin and restores weakened muscles to create a smoother, firmer abdominal profile.

Find a Plastic Surgeon. Patient Safety. Table of Contents Print. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community or post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons. Share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community. My Account. Cosmetic Procedures Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin and restores weakened muscles to create a smoother, firmer abdominal profile.

Find a Plastic Surgeon. Patient Safety. Most people need to stay in hospital for a few nights. You will probably be in some pain after you wake up from the general anaesthetic. Painkilling medicine can be provided if needed. You will leave hospital with dressings and a pressure garment corset on your tummy, or tummy-control pants. Someone will need to drive you home and stay with you for the following 24 hours.

You will need to take about 4 to 6 weeks off work and exercise. You will not be able to drive for a few weeks after the operation your surgeon and insurance company can advise you about this. You'll usually need to wear a special type of corset or tummy-control pants for 6 weeks, to encourage your skin to heal properly and to reduce any swelling. Generally, you'll need to take it easy during this time and keep your knees bent while in bed, to avoid putting strain on your stitches.

After a few weeks you will probably be asked to attend a follow-up appointment to make sure the wound is healing properly. After 6 weeks you will usually be able to stop wearing a corset and may return to doing most of your usually activities. You will be left with a scar running across your lower tummy and, if you had a full abdominoplasty, a scar around your belly button.

The surgeon should explain how likely these risks and complications are, and how they would be treated if they happened. Occasionally, people find the desired effect was not achieved and feel they need another operation. You should contact the clinic where the operation was done as soon as possible if you have severe pain or any unexpected symptoms. If you have abdominoplasty and are not happy with the results, or you think the procedure was not done properly, you should take up the matter with the surgeon who treated you.