Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

The abdomen is where fats are prone to be deposited in many mature women. Further skin looseness because of pregnancy or labor exacerbates the complexity and severity of abdominal aging, particularly in patients with multiple pregnancy or postpartum obesity. Because abdominal fats and skin are difficult to be redressed by physical activities and weight loss, the gradual buildup is extremely likely to form abdominal rotundity and cellulite, which greatly affect the stature, appearance, or stamina; therefore, fat and skin problems should be fixed at one time. Apart from the primary factor of pregnancy, other causes resulting in female abdominal looseness comprise fat deposits from prolonged obesity and skin droopiness or laxity due to drastic or quick weight loss. Tummy tuck is the resection of lumbar and abdominal droopy fats and skin and tightening of abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis muscle) by internal stitching to reshape the lumbar S-shaped curvature and concurrently achieve slimming and lumbar curvature sculpting. The surgical method should be determined based on individual abdominal elasticity and obesity, which mainly come in the following options:

Complete Abdominoplasty

Lower Abdominoplasty

Comparison Of Various Abdominoplasty

Full abdominoplasty Lower abdominoplasty
Ideal candidates Patients with extreme abdominal laxity, obesity, and distinct abdominal looseness or stretch marks due to multiple pregnancy Patients with skin laxity, stretch marks, or aging-related obesity and skin looseness limited to the lower abdomen
Anesthesia method General anesthesia General anesthesia
Surgical duration 3.5–4 h 2.5–3 h
Surgical incision 25–30 cm Within 25 cm
Abdominal muscle stitching Superior and inferior segments of the navel Inferior segment of the navel
Lumbar and abdominal liposuction Yes Yes
Navel reconstruction Yes No
Drainage tube indwelling Yes Depends
Hospitalization One day No