The tummy tuck is arguably the best known of all plastic surgery procedures after breast augmentation. It offers the patient with sagging or distended skin the prospect of relief from poor self-image and hygiene and the promise of a life renewed.

The primary purpose of the tummy tuck is the restoration of a tight, toned appearance in the abdominal region and the elimination of disfigurements resulting from sudden weight loss, pregnancy and other body changes. In many such cases, targeted exercise, liposuction, and other traditional forms of abdominal reshaping have also played a part in improving the appearance of the abdominal area.

The tummy tuck (aka abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon cuts away and removes excess fat and skin from the patient's abdominal area. During the process, he or she may also repair and restore damaged muscle tissue to eliminate protruding gut, irregular symmetry and separation of the abdominal muscles. The navel and its surroundings are often reshaped and made more taut as well, and the procedure is often combined with liposuction and/or body lifting to create an overall improvement in the patient's body aesthetics.

And tummy tuck surgery is not just for the obese. Previous surgeries, weight gain and loss due to disease or lifestyle changes, and the effects of age on the body can all produce loose or sagging skin on the abdomen. Women who have developed saggy skin below the navel may elect for a dermatolipectomy, or ?mini-tummy tuck? ? a procedure that tightens the skin but does not address subcutaneous fat or muscle.

The whimsical name ?tummy tuck? aside, abdominoplasty is a serious surgical procedure. As with any form of surgery, the possibility of long-lasting or permanent complications from tummy tuck surgery exists. It is also not correct to consider a tummy tuck as an easy way out of obesity. The tummy tuck is a cosmetic medical procedure, not a medical treatment for obesity; patients who think that by having an abdominoplasty they can avoid their responsibility to pay attention to diet and activity levels are not suitable candidates for the operation.

Those who are considering a tummy tuck as a means of improving their body aesthetics and/or self-image, however, are on the right path. Such patients should dispassionately examine their personal health situation, then consider the various surgical options applicable in their case before deciding to obtain the procedure. This examination of options should always include a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. He or she can accurately assess a given case and propose various treatment pathways toward achieving the desired goal.

If tummy tuck surgery is the best treatment option in a given case, the surgeon can create an integrated program of preparation, surgery, recovery, therapy and follow-up to ensure that your procedure results in the best outcome for you.