A tummy tuck, often referred to as abdominoplasty, is a procedure that people may have if they have a lot of excess skin after losing a lot of weight, or if they have some residual fat or stretch marks after child birth. In some circumstances the tummy tuck is also portrayed as body sculpting as it is one of the most effective ways of getting rid of unwanted abdominal fat.

Both men and women may go for this type of surgery as it is a way of getting back your flat stomach and strengthening abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck may not sound like much but it is an invasive surgical procedure and deserves considered thought before you decide to go through with it. Some people with a lot of loose skin after weight loss will require a complete tummy tuck while others may only need a partial tuck.

Tummy tucks are usually performed under a general anaesthetic. The surgeon has to make a cut that reaches from hip bone to hip bone in order to remove the unwanted fat and tighten up the abdominal muscles and a second incision that separates the navel from the surrounding tissues. Once the surgeon has tightened the abdominal muscles, excess skin is removed and the navel is repositioned before the incisions can be closed.

Most patients who have a tummy tuck will require a couple of days bed rest following the operation, they will also require anywhere between two and four weeks off work ? depending on how well the tummy tuck has gone and how quickly an individual heals. Although you will have to rest you will also be advised to start taking some gentle exercise as soon as you are on your feet, even though this may be painful to begin with.

There are plenty of clinics advertising cosmetic surgery, so whether you live in New York or Dallas, finding someone who performs this procedure should be quite easy. However, you should not settle with the first clinic that you visit, do some research and shop around. Tummy tucks can be expensive so you will need to consider how much different surgeons may charge. You should always have the procedure done at a clinic where procedures are only performed by board certified plastic surgeons. This is the most widely recognized qualification in cosmetic surgery and surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic surgery ? these are easy to find online as most will advertise the fact that their surgeons are fully qualified for the task.

A full tummy tuck can cost between five and ten thousand dollars, and very often that cost does not include your stay in hospital, although some surgeons will include that in the cost. You should also calculate how much money you will need to see you through the recovery period as you will be unable to work during this time. A tummy tuck can make a person feel healthier and better about themselves, providing they follow their surgeon's advice and make sure that the surgeon is one with whom they feel comfortable.