A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty medically falls under
category of major invasive surgery so first thing you need to consider before you have operation is whether or not you are willing to take risk. The best candidates for this operation are non-smokers who are in good health with no history of any kind of immune compromising disorder. The intention of a tummy tuck is to remove and then tighten lose flesh that may be result of rapid weight loss or pregnancy. It is not to be confused with liposuction, which is an entirely different procedure that involves vacuuming of fat from between skin and abdominal wall.
If you are a woman that is planning at some time to have more children there is absolutely no point in getting a tummy tuck until you feel your child bearing years are over. This is because vertical muscles that are tightened up during a tummy tuck can be separated again by a future pregnancy.
You should also realize that a tummy tuck will leave permanent scars. This is because it requires a deep incision and removal of flesh. If you don't like look of lateral scars striping your stomach then this procedure may not be for you.
Many plastic surgeons simply will not operate on a smoker as habit is thought to seriously undermine healing of bruises and stitches. If you are smoking be prepared to quit your habit at least a couple of weeks before commencement of surgery and don't plan on smoking at all during your recovery period. Smoking can cause a potential fatal skin condition called necrosis.
