By Yap Lok Huei

A FLAT and well-toned abdomen is something many of us strive for through exercise and weight management. Unfortunately, we sometimes cannot achieve our goals with these methods alone.

Thus, some people opt for abdominoplasty, also known as tummy tuck. Abdominoplasty removes excess fat and skin, and in most cases restore weakened or separated muscles, creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.

Many women opt to undergo abdominoplasty, especially after pregnancy, when the abdominal muscles tend to remain lax, and the skin over the stomach becomes stretched and saggy - to help them get back to their pre-pregnancy figure.

Is it right for me?

Abdominoplasty is a highly individualised procedure. Ideally, as with any other plastic surgery procedure, this should be a change that suits you and should not be carried out simply to fulfill someone else's desires or to fit any sort of ideal image.

A good candidate for abdominoplasty procedure is an adult who is not far from his/her ideal weight, with an abdominal area that has not adequately responded to modification by diet and exercise.

Some of the categories of candidates are as follows:-

1. After significant weight loss

With significant weight loss, many patients notice that while the fatty tissue is reduced, often the skin has been overstretched and does not contract back to a smaller area well. Thus the skin can become loose and saggy, and may require removal for correction.

2. The ageing process

Similarly, with age, the skin loses some of its natural elasticity and the muscles gradually weaken. The ageing process often has a pronounced impact on the abdominal region, resulting in a flabby, sagging midline. In such cases, a tummy tuck can have a rejuvenating effect on the entire body while making the person look younger, healthier, and more vital.

3. Genetics

Genetics do play a role in the overall shape of one's body. For some, the bothersome fatty tissue thickness that gathers in the abdominal region is resistant to diet and exercise although the person may be active and physically fit. Even someone in his 20s, 30s, or 40s may be genetically predisposed to stubborn abdominal roundness.