A tummy tuck procedure is generally performed under general anaesthesia.
The surgeon will begin by making a horizontal incision either within or above the pubic area and below the bikini line. In some cases, a second incision is also made around the belly button.
They will then separate the underlying tissue and skin from the muscles right up to the bottom of the sternum and possibly over the rib cage before lifting the skin for repairing and tightening the underlying abdominal muscles.
Once the muscle is repaired, the upper abdominal skin is pulled down and the pelvic tissue, including the vulva, is pulled up, thus creating tighter abdominal skin when sitting.
In the midline, a new opening for the belly button is created and anchored to the abdominal wall, which is followed by the removal of excess fat from the skin around the newly created belly button opening.
The excess abdominal skin is properly trimmed after which, the remaining skin is smoothed and the incision site is sutured closed.