Are sit-ups just not giving you the taut tummy you desire? If you’ve got a little too much flab or excess skin in your abdomen that won’t diminish with diet or exercise, you may want to consider an abdominoplasty, popularly referred to as a tummy tuck. This procedure flattens your abdomen by removing extra fat and skin, and tightening muscles in your abdominal wall.

However, this is a major surgery, so if you’re considering it, please take the time to educate yourself, thoroughly analyze your own situation, and do not rush to make the final decision. A tummy tuck should be the last resort for people who have exhausted all other measures, and the procedure should not be used as an alternative to weight loss.

Who are the best candidates for a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is suitable for both men and women who are in good general health overall and are at a stable weight. It is best to be a non-smoker. A tummy tuck should not be confused with a liposuction (the cosmetic surgery used to remove fat deposits), although your surgeon may elect to perform liposuction as part of a tummy tuck. Women who have muscles and skin stretched by multiple pregnancies may find the procedure useful to tighten those muscles and reduce that skin. A tummy tuck is also an alternative for men or women who were obese at one point in their lives, and still have excessive fat deposits or loose skin in the abdominal area.