You've probably heard about people having tummy tucks done, but what exactly is it? Basically, it's a major surgical procedure that is also known as Abdominoplasty. The purpose is to reshape and refashion the stomach and also the skin and muscles surrounding it. It's a cosmetic procedure, and is generally undertaken by people who dislike their body shape and want to have a slimmer looking figure.

There are many reasons why a person would consider having a tummy tuck. It's a very popular procedure for people who've lost a great deal of weight. If someone has been very obese and then loses that weight, the abdomen often can't cope with the change and the result is large folds of hanging skin. This can be very disheartening, as the person can still appear fat even after losing so much weight. It may even prompt them to revert back to their old bad eating habits.

Women, too, often have a tummy tuck after they've finished having children. Pregnancy often leaves behind loose and sagging skin on the abdomen, along with stretch marks, which many women feel makes them unattractive. Even women who've had a caesarian section, or people who've had an appendectomy or have scars on their lower abdomen for other reasons may consider a tummy tuck.

It can vary slightly, but mostly a tummy tuck scare will run horizontally across the pubic region, from hip to hip. Many surgeons who perform tummy tucks are actually plastic surgeons, and so they are well aware that their patient will want as little visible scarring as is possible. So the surgeon will try and ensure that the scar is as low as possible, to reduce visibility.

It is important to realize that having a tummy tuck will leave a scar behind. Unfortunately some people mistakenly think that there will only be a very fine scar or even no scar at all, and so are disappointed when they realize there is one. Even though a tummy tuck is classed as a cosmetic procedure, it's still major abdominal surgery, and it's basically impossible to perform such surgery and leave no scar at all.

If you wish, you can also combine liposuction with your tummy tuck. This can help to remove any excess fat, and the combination of the two procedures can enhance the whole abdominal area and give you a completely new and slimmer shape.