Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
abdominoplasty
Surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tighten abdominal muscles.
Full Definition
Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a 'tummy tuck,' is a major surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen while tightening the fascia of the abdominal wall. The procedure is often sought by patients who have experienced significant weight loss or pregnancy-related changes. Documentation must clearly distinguish between full abdominoplasty and mini-abdominoplasty procedures for accurate medical coding and patient records.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate related terms like 'post-abdominoplasty' when used as adjectives.
In Context
- "The patient underwent abdominoplasty with concurrent liposuction of the flanks." — Operative report
- "Post-abdominoplasty care includes compression garment use for six weeks." — Patient discharge instructions
Also known as
tummy tuck
Don't confuse with
liposuction
panniculectomy