A tummy tuck procedure is also known as abdominoplasty, and it works as an effective type of body reshaping surgery by removing fat and skin in the middle and lower abdominal area.  In turn, the muscles will tighten, making the abdomen firmer and giving it a leaner appearance.  This is a popular procedure for women whose abdominal muscles and skin have become loose due to multiple pregnancies, or for those who have lost a significant amount of weight and have extra skin in the tummy area.  In the United States, typical tummy tuck cost is around $4000 to $20000.  For some, however, they would opt to have these surgical procedures in other countries where there are specialists who would charge lower rates.  Cheaper cosmetic surgeries can be done in Southeast Asia, for example.  Caution would need to be taken to ensure that the operation would be performed by a licensed cosmetic surgeon, however, and obtaining any kind of surgery from another country is always a risk.

There are different types of tummy tucks. These include the complete tummy tuck, the partial tummy tuck, and the extended tummy tuck. A complete tummy tuck can take as many as five hours, as this is a more extensive procedure compared to a partial tummy tuck, which only takes between one to two hours. An extended tummy tuck would also include surgery and "tucking" and shaping for the hip and thigh areas.

The ideal candidates for a tummy tuck should have one or more of the following conditions:

• A protruding abdomen that is not in proportion with the rest of the body.

• Weakened or separated abdominal muscles due to the weight of pregnancy.

• Flabby and excessive abdominal skin.

• Excess fatty tissue primarily in the abdominal area.

Poor candidates would be smokers, diabetics, people with uncontrolled obesity, and women who are considering additional children after the procedure.

As with all cosmetic surgeries, there are risks involved with a tummy tuck procedure. Smokers are not ideal candidates, as there is higher risk for delayed wound healing, infection and blood clots in the leg veins, which may result in embolism. However, if a smoker would really want to go through this procedure, they would need to refrain from smoking three weeks before and three weeks after the operation.

A binder or a girdle would need to be worn after the abdominoplasty, as this diminishes the amount of swelling and bruising in the abdominal area. This also helps maintain the contour of the new abdomen. The girdle should be worn for 24 hours, 7 days a week for about three to four weeks after the surgery, and an additional three weeks during daytime after that.

A person who had a tummy tuck procedure can go back to regular work after about ten days of recovery time. It is important for the person to maintain circulation by taking breaks and walking around. Light exercise can resume approximately 10 days post surgery. Exercise should not be strenuous at first, so while walking on a treadmill and light upper body weight training can be done, more advanced cardio and strength training exercises should be delayed until four to five weeks post surgery.

The speed of tummy tuck recovery would vary depending on how healthy the patient is, as well as the status of the abdominal muscles. People with stronger abdominal muscles would recover faster as compared to a patient with weaker abdominal muscles. Talk to a trusted plastic surgeon to find out if the tummy tuck cost and recovery period is reasonable for your lifestyle and budget. A new, slimmer figure could only be one procedure away!