So you are considering a tummy tuck?  A tummy tuck can be an important step in regaining one's shape after some of the irreversible changes that happen with aging, pregnancy, and weight fluctuations.  here is what a tummy tuck can do to change your physique:

Can I simply Diet and excercise my way to this change?

Sometimes simply dieting and exercising are not enough to take care of waistline problems because of irreversible stretching of the skin and muscles.      In such cases, a patient may wish to consider a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty). 

Reasons for Considering an Abdominoplasty:

• Inability of dieting and exercise to improve the abdomen area.
• Excessive accumulation of skin following weight loss.
• Loss of skin elasticity or diastases (loose abdomen muscles) due to pregnancy.
• The removal of unsightly skin and fat deposits as well as the proper alignment of the abdomen muscles to produce a more flattering look.

General Procedure

Abdominoplasty surgery takes approximately three hours to perform. It is often combined with liposuction to produce a pleasing waste line contour.  During the procedure, an incision is made and the surgeon carefully dissects through the fat to reach your abdominal wall muscles.  The dissection then proceeds at the interface between the fat and the muscles, elevating the skin/fat off the muscles from the pubic area all the way to the rib cage.  the only exception is the navel, which is left attached to the abdominal wall muscles.  The second step involves tightening the muscles back to the midline.  The third step involves removing the excess skin and fat.  The fourth step involves a carefull reapproximation of the skin to minimize scarring.  A plastic tube called  a drain is left in place to collect excess fluid that will form after surgery.  The final step involves the recreation of the umilicus using both the old umbilicus in combination with skin from the abdominal wall.

Recovery Process:  click here for a detailed review of the recovery process

Tummy Tuck Drain Removal: CLICK HERE to watch Dr. Khalifeh's technique for drain removal

Additional Information on Tummy Tuck Surgery:

Tummy Tuck Scars on African American women:  click here for page 

Tummy Tuck Scars on Caucasian women:  click here for page

Complications of a tummy tuck can include: The tummy tuck operation, when performed on a healthy nonsmoking candidate by a board certified plastic surgeon, is a very safe operation.  As with any surgery, there are risks involved.  Minor risks tend to happen more than any major problems, and are often treateable.  Some of these risks include bleeding, infections, scarring at the incision,  seroma, hematoma, skin loss, sensation loss, and belly button necrosis.