Good candidates for the surgery usually have their currently body weight within twenty percent of the ideal body rate. Those candidates may also want to remove specific areas of loose skin or fat. The candidate's weight should be stable for at least four to six months and their skin should have good elasticity. The person should be emotionally stable and understand the risks of abdominoplasty surgery prior to the surgery.

Choose a doctor who has had significant experience in performing a tummy tuck. Ask friends or relatives if they have any recommendations for a plastic surgeon and ask a doctor if they have any references of before and after pictures which you can look through.

After you have contacted a few doctors, meet with many during a consultation meeting and discus the realistic expectations. The surgeon will evaluate the fat deposits in your abdomen and if they are localized or in the area below the navel, they may recommend a mini tummy tuck.

Discuss your medical history openly with your doctor before you undergo the surgery. The doctor will also discuss how you will pay for the procedure. Usually the insurance does not cover this surgery unless there is an excessive spreading of the anterior muscles or a hernia.

Check with your insurance company and make sure to obtain pre-authorization for your surgery if you do suffer from a hernia. If you do not, then most pay for the surgery either by using their savings or credit card. A few plastic surgeons also have agreements with plastic surgery finance companies, which a candidate can use. Make sure you evaluate all of your options before the surgery.

In a regularly tummy tuck, your abdominal muscles may require a lot of tightening or you may need to lose body weight. In a regular tummy tuck, the doctor may create a large incision and remove the navel.

Some people choose to get partial abdominoplasty, especially if they are within pounds of their optimal body weight. This procedure is usually less invasive than a full on tummy tuck and can be done in an outpatient facility. In a mini tummy tuck, the doctor leaves the navel intact and makes small incision.

After the procedure, the doctor will usually give you a list of procedures that you must follow in order to minimize complications. Many doctors require you to stay in a hospital environment so they can observe you a bit more closely, especially if you have had massive abdominoplasty done. Others require that you bring someone to drive you home and take care of you after the procedure. In the next few weeks, you may have slight bruising or swelling in the affected area however those should decrease with time.