Abdominal wall surgery Health Article

Definition

Abdominal wall surgery is surgery that improves the appearance of flabby, stretched-out abdominal (belly) muscles and skin. It is often called a "tummy tuck." It can range from a simple “mini-tummy tuck” to more complicated, extended surgery.

It is not the same as liposuction, another way to remove fat. But abdominal wall surgery is sometimes combined with liposuction.

Alternative Names

Cosmetic surgery of the abdomen; Tummy tuck; Abdominoplasty

Description

Your surgery will be done in an operating room in a hospital. You will receive general anesthesia. This will make you unconscious and unable to feel pain during the procedure. The surgery takes 2 to 6 hours. You can expect to stay in the hospital for 1 to 3 days after surgery.

After you receive anesthesia, your surgeon will make an incision (cut) across your abdomen to open up the area. This incision will be just above your pubic area.

Your surgeon will remove fatty tissue and loose skin from the middle and lower sections of your abdomen to make it firmer and flatter. In extended surgeries, the surgeon also removes excess fat and skin (“love handles”) from the sides of the abdomen. Your abdominal muscles may be tightened also.

Your surgeon will close your incision with sutures (stitches). Your surgeon may insert small flat tubes called drains to allow fluid to drain out of your incision. These will be removed later.

A firm elastic dressing (bandage) will be placed over your abdomen.

For a less complicated surgery, your surgeon may use medical devices called endoscopes. Endoscopes are tiny cameras that are inserted into the skin through very small incisions. They are connected to a video monitor in the operating room that allows the surgeon to see the area being worked on. Your surgeon will remove excess fat with other small tools that are inserted through other small incisions. This surgery is called endoscopic surgery.