The tummy tuck (a.k.a. abdominoplasty) is a procedure that's becoming increasingly more popular each year- and for several reasons. 

As you know, women who have been pregnant and anybody who has lost an ample amount of weight will often find that they are left with excessive unwanted skin and perpetual fat around their lower abdominal muscles.  The tummy tuck procedure is designed to remove this abundance of fat and skin and re-establish the shape of the lower stomach.   Simultaneously, it tightens the loose abdomin muscles and repositions the naval.

Now everybody likes a flat tummy, but another reason this procedure is becoming more popular is, surprisingly, the cost.  Although the typical abdominoplasty is still very expensive ($2500 - $8500 dependant on several factors) the cost has slowly been decreasing to the benefit of its patients.  Not only are many surgeons now offering financing options and refering patients to financial advisors, but in many cases, certain abdominoplasty procedures involved in the surgery can be covered by an insurance policy.   You'll also find that a financial advisor can often prove to an insurance carrier that the tummy tuck is medically necessary.

You'll repeatedly hear about two different types of abdominoplasty. The Standard Tummy Tuck Procedure, which is a complete tummy tuck on the lower and middle abdominal muscles, and the Mini Tummy Tuck Procedure, which only involves the lower abdominals.  Obviously, the latter can be the extravagantly less complex of the two procedures.

Now, the one thing that everybody dreads - recovery time.  Of course, recovery time greatly varies depending on the complexity of the surgery, the fitness of the patient, and whether or not the patient follows recommended recovery guidelines.  It has also been shown that smokers tend to have longer recovery times, but hell, I've never been one to nag. 

Now, immediately after surgery, a patient will remain in the hospital anywhere from a couple hours to a few days.  Then, the magnificent arrival home is followed by a specified period of bed rest.  Following the bed rest, you may begin the maintenance of your abs with exercises and a diet usually provided by a doctor.  In general, recovery typically lasts a few weeks with the aid of prescription drug - And that's reason for a tummy tuck if there ever was one.