After anesthesia, the surgeon makes a low horizontal incision, lifts the skin/fat flap, repairs weakened muscles (if indicated), removes excess tissue, repositions the navel in full/extended cases, and closes the incision (with drains or drainless progressive tension sutures).

Best candidates are healthy, non-smokers at a stable weight with extra lower-abdominal skin (often after pregnancy or weight change). Abdominoplasty is not a substitute for weight loss; plan surgery after childbearing when possible.

General surgical risks (bleeding, infection, wound issues), seroma, DVT/PE (blood clots)—abdominoplasty has a higher major-complication rate than many cosmetic procedures; VTE risk is real and higher when combined with other operations. Surgeons mitigate risk with individualized VTE assessment (e.g., Caprini score), early ambulation, and compression/chemoprophylaxis for higher-risk patients.

Instead of drains, surgeons place progressive tension sutures to tack the flap down and eliminate “dead space.” Meta-analysis and reviews suggest this can lower seroma rates and improve comfort, though outcomes depend on technique and patient factors.

Yes. Professional guidance links nicotine to wound-healing problems. Many plastic-surgery sources advise stopping at least 4 weeks before and remaining nicotine-free 3–6 weeks after (your surgeon will specify).

For the right candidate—stable weight, realistic goals—tummy tuck provides durable contour improvement and can address muscle laxity that exercise can’t fix, with the understanding of the downtime and risks above.