Patients who undergo surgery to improve the appearance of their abdomen can enhance the outcome after recovery with some targeted efforts at weight management and exercise. The abdominoplasty or tummy tuck will handle three problem areas:

1. Excision of excess and redundant skin
2. Reduction of fat deposits
3. Tightening of the abdominal muscles

Although the surgery provides improvements that are often unachievable with even the most diligent efforts at diet and exercise, the best outcomes are attained when patients become active participants in the long term enhancement and maintenance of the results.

There are two primary problems that cannot be altered surgically:

1. Internal or visceral fat excess located below the abdominal muscles
2. Muscle tone

Both of these areas require a committed effort that balances a moderate caloric intake with exercise. Reducing internal fat and increasing tone in the muscles that have been tightened as a result of the surgery will produce an even flatter abdominal contour. In the next blog, we will offer recommendations on how to make these goals a reality following a tummy tuck.