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The abdominoplasty surgery
Complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to five hours, depending on the extent of work required. Partial abdominoplasty may take an hour or two.
 An incision just above the pubic area is used
to remove excess skin and fat from the middle
and lower abdomen.
Most commonly, the surgeon will make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. With partial abdominoplasty, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved, although it may be pulled into an unnatural shape as the skin is tightened and stitched.
 Skin is separated from the abdominal wall all
the way up to the ribs.
Next, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and lifts a large skin flap to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline.
 The surgeon draws underlying muscle and tissue
together and stitches them, thereby narrowing
the waistline and strengthening the abdominal
wall.
The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched in place. Finally, the incisions will be stitched, dressings will be applied, and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.
Abdominal skin is drawn down and excess is
removed. With complete abdominoplasty, a
new opening is cut for the navel. Both
incisions are stitched closed.
In partial abdominoplasty, the skin is separated only between the incision line and the navel. This skin flap is stretched down, the excess is removed, and the flap is stitched back into place.
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Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Patient Information 
Highlights: About Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Options for Pain Control
Preparing for Surgery
Stop Smoking
Pre-operative Instructions
Post-Operative Care
Activity Restrictions
Recovery Time
Resuming Normal Activities
Pre-operative Instructions
Post-operative Instructions
FAQs on Recovery From Plastic Surgery
Tummy Tuck Illustrations
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