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The occurrence of excessive abdominal skin and fat is a condition which lends itself well to surgical correction. Patient satisfaction from this surgery is high. Many women experience changes of their abdomen after childbearing. A previously attractive abdomen can develop striae (stretch marks) and excessive abdominal tissue following pregnancy when the outstretched skin fails to retract sufficiently. It can also occur from obesity followed by weight loss. In these instances, surgical removal of the excess abdominal tissue is effective in correcting the deformity. Deformities can sometimes be severe, resulting in a large overhanging abdominal apron flap (panniculus), which covers the pubic region. In pregnancy connective tissue relaxation can result in separation of the central vertical abdominal muscles (rectus abdominus). This allows for excessive protuberance (pooching) of the lower abdomen. This cannot be corrected by any amount of exercise; however it is routinely corrected at the time of abdominoplasty surgery. Stretch marks (striae) like scars, once formed are permanent unless surgically removed. A laser or other topical treatments cannot be expected to remove stretch marks.  Abdominoplasty is surgical body sculpture; a high degree of artistic expertise is required to obtain the best results. Accurate measurements and pre-operative planning is essential. Positioning the naval (umbilicus) in the proper location is of paramount importance. Placement of the scar low in the “bikini line” is important for concealment. After making a circular incision around the naval, it is left in place on the abdominal wall. The abdominal skin and subcutaneous tissue is then undermined sufficiently to allow the excess to be brought down where it is removed using a low abdominal incision. Stretch marks present in the lower abdomen are removed during this operation. The naval is then brought through an opening (fenestration) at the appropriate location to give a normal appearance. The surgical scars required for removal of the lower abdomen excess skin and fat are placed in natural lines and usually fit well within the bathing suit line. Frequently referred to as a “tummy-tuck” the abdominoplasty is a major operation. A mini abdominoplasty is a lesser procedure, which provides a lesser result. In the “mini tuck” skin from the upper abdomen is not advanced downward, and only a lower abdominal ellipse of skin is removed leaving a relatively short scar. The abdominal muscles can be plicated or brought together in the lower abdomen only. The mini abdominoplasty is limited by the fact that it does not tighten the upper abdomen and it is limited as to the extent of stretch marks which can be removed. In selected cases however, it can be beneficial.   | |||||