mycosmeticclinics Abdominoplasty is a procedure to reduce the excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and also tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall. The degree of excess skin and fat differs in amount and distribution amongst individuals. The choice of technique varies based on each individual patient. The standard abdominoplasty involves creating a transverse scar on the lower abdomen/pubis. The skin and fat are lifted off from the muscles, the muscles are tightened, and the excess tissues are trimmed. The umbilicus is relocated at a new point on the ‘new tummy’. This technique addresses the excess tissues in the front of the abdomen but may not treat any excess fat on the flanks. This maybe further addressed in a second stage with liposuction. Every effort is made to produce a single longitudinal scar, however, in a few instances there may also be a small vertical component in the midline below the umbilicus. The mini-abdominoplasty involves removing the excess skin and fat from under the area under the umbilicus without having to relocate the umbilicus.