Glossary

Here are definitions of medical terms related to abdominoplasty (tummy tuck):

Abdomen: The part of the body that lies between the chest and the pelvic region

Abdominoplasty: An operation that involves surgically cutting out excess skin and fat from the abdomen and sometimes tightening abdominal muscles; commonly called "tummy tuck"

Anesthetic: A drug used to temporarily reduce or stop pain sensation

Incision: Surgical cut

Liposuction: Cosmetic surgery to improve body shape by removing pockets of excess fat from specific areas of the body, including the abdomen

Mini-abdominoplasty: Surgery that removes excess abdominal skin in a smaller area than with a complete abdominoplasty and usually does not involve moving the navel; also may tighten the abdominal muscles

Navel: Belly button

Panniculectomy: A surgery that cuts out the large abdominal apron of fat that hangs down in obese people or those who have lost a great deal of weight; more extensive than abdominoplasty

Tummy tuck: A common term for abdominoplasty, an operation that involves surgically cutting out excess skin and fat from the abdomen