Tummy tuck surgery (or stomach surgery) can accomplish things that you would not be able to do on your own - no matter how much diet and exercise you undertake. You may lose weight - but neither your loose skin nor your girdle will tighten up. The inner girdle extends from your rib cage down to your pubic bone and from one side of your abdomen to the other. The body is three dimensional - hence the sagging tissues can extend from the front, to the sides, and to the back.

There are three levels of plastic surgery tummy tucks:

Abdominoplasty - is cosmetic surgery to reshape and firm the abdomen. It is the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen - these may have accumulated due to pregnancy, obesity or age. To tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. This procedure usually takes between 2 - 5 hours. Incisions will go from hipbone to hipbone - very low on the body. This operation will include the making of a new navel.

Dermolipectomy - is the removal of extra skin and fat and requires repositioning of the belly button. There is no muscle tightening with this procedure. This procedure is appropriate for those who have a higher level of skin laxity than a mini-tuck.

Tumescent Tummy Tuck - or mini tummy tuck - tummy tightening may be required when loose skin and muscles are the problem. This tummy tuck procedure is ideal for people who have fat deposits limited to the area below the navel. This type of surgery may be performed by an endoscope and may only take up to 2 hours - recovery is similar to that of tummy tuck liposuction. Using this method can result in less bleeding during surgery, less bruising, decreased patient discomfort after surgery, possible use of sedation rather than general anesthetic. No 'new' navel placement is required.

Tummy tucks are predominately undertaken by women who have lost a lot of weight or who have had children. There is practically nothing that pregnancy can do to the abdomen that a tummy tuck can't fix - including eliminating stretch marks. However, male tummy tuck is not uncommon amongst men who have also lost a lot of weight.

Tummy tuck results can be quite dramatic!

How to prepare for Abdominoplasty:

- you must stop smoking for at least 2 weeks prior and after surgery
- you must not eat excessively beforehand
- you need to eat well balanced meals
- some medications may need to stop

Tummy tuck complications and tummy tuck risks: be aware, that like all surgery, some possible complications may arise: visible scaring - to have a true scarless tummy tuck a second operation may be required; blood clots and infection - as with any surgery there is the risk of infection, blood clots, or reaction to anesthesia.

Healing is a slow and gradual process - you will probably experience varying levels of discomfort for days or even weeks; full tummy tuck recovery may take several months. Scars may appear to get worse during the first 3 - 6 months as they heal. It may take up to a year for tummy tuck scars to flatten out and lighten in colour - although they may never completely disappear.

Tummy tuck prices: tummy tuck costs, like most plastic surgery, seem to vary - however the average cost is around $2,800.00 for a mini tummy tuck - and $4,800.00 for abdominoplasty.

So... use all this tummy tuck information to make an educated decision on whether or not it is right for you and ... don't forget to ensure you choose a tummy tuck surgeon who is ethical, professional and has an excellent reputation!!