Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, removes excess fat and skin, and in most cases restores weakened or separated muscles creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer. A full tummy tuck procedure requires a horizontally-oriented incision in the area between the pubic hairline and navel. The shape and length of the incision will be determined by the degree of correction necessary. Through this incision, weakened abdominal muscles are repaired and sutured while excess fat, tissue and skin are removed. A second incision around the navel may be necessary to remove excess skin in the upper abdomen. An abdominoplasty is a highly individualized procedure, which results in a technically permanent and positive outcome which can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in the patient′s weight. For this reason, individuals who are planning substantial weight loss or women who may be considering future pregnancies may be advised to postpone abdominoplasty. Recovery from such a procedure is anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, depending upon the patient′s compliancy and physical makeup.