Tighten excess abdominal skin and remove fatty tissue; tuck in the stomach area.

The abdomen "tummy tuck" (abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin, tighten the muscles and eliminate or improve the appearance of scars on the abdomen (commonly called the tummy, hence the popular name tummy tuck).

Has pregnancy caused your abdominal skin and muscles to get flabby? Do you feel as if your tummy is hanging down to your toes? Has yo-yo excessive weight loss followed by weight gain followed by weight loss left a layer of loose extra skin and stretched out, thin muscles?

Could your weak stomach muscles and extra fatty tissue be contributing to your bad posture and causing potential back problems? The tummy tuck is designed to correct these situations.

It is important to understand right away that a tummy tuck is NOT a weight loss procedure or a substitute for a healthy diet or sensible exercise. Although the procedure removes some fat, it is not an obesity cure. You should be at normal or near-normal weight before undergoing this procedure. If you plan to have children in the future, you should not have a tummy tuck since the entire abdomen will stretch considerably with pregnancy.

Liposculpture of the abdomen and other areas are commonly performed with a tummy tuck. The tummy tuck may also be combined with other procedures including hernia repair, tubal ligation, bladder suspension or hysterectomy. Consult extensively with your medical team to determine the timing and appropriateness of your desired procedures and ultimate outcome.