Key Points:

1. Terminology:

   – Abdominoplasty: This is the medical term for the procedure.

   – Tummy Tuck: This is the more commonly used, colloquial term that most people are familiar with.

2. Procedure:

   – Both terms describe a procedure that involves making an incision in the lower abdomen, removing excess skin and fat, and tightening the abdominal muscles. The extent of the procedure can vary depending on the patient’s needs and the type of abdominoplasty performed.

3. Types of Abdominoplasty/Tummy Tuck:

   – Full Abdominoplasty (Full Tummy Tuck): Involves a hip-to-hip incision and possibly an incision around the navel to remove excess skin and fat and tighten the entire abdominal wall.

   – Mini Abdominoplasty (Mini Tummy Tuck): Involves a shorter incision and focuses on the area below the navel. It is less extensive than a full abdominoplasty.

   – Extended Abdominoplasty (Extended Tummy Tuck): Includes an extended incision that goes around the flanks to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen and the sides of the lower back.

4. Indications:

   – Both terms refer to a procedure that can address loose or sagging abdominal skin, separated or weakened abdominal muscles (often due to pregnancy or significant weight loss), and excess fat in the abdominal area.

5. Recovery and Results:

   – Recovery time, post-operative care, and the expected results are the same regardless of whether the procedure is referred to as an abdominoplasty or a tummy tuck.

In summary, “abdominoplasty” and “tummy tuck” are interchangeable terms describing the same surgical procedure. The choice of term typically depends on the context, with “abdominoplasty” being used in more formal, medical contexts and “tummy tuck” being more commonly used in everyday language.