The most popular surgery for stretchmarks is abdominoplasty or common known as the Tummy Tuck. This procedure is done to reshape your abdomen when they is a sign of major laxity of the abdominal muscular envelope (this is normally seen in women who have had multiple pregnancies), when there is excessive skin of the abdominal wall (liposuction is usually ruled out in these cases), and minor scarring of the skin in the lower abdomen.

There are three major types of surgery for stretchmarks under the tummy tuck classification, which include the standard procedure, the mini tummy tuck, and the modified abdominoplasty.

The standard procedure is done by a transverse incision in the lower abdomen. This allows for the removal of large amounts of skin and fat. It deals with the laxity of the abdominal wall along with the excessive skin and fat in the upper and lower abdomen. In most cases, patients only receive this procedure if they have a lot of excess skin or fat. In most cases, the scar is minimal and can be covered with a bathing suit or other undergarments.

The mini Tummy Tuck is for patients that do not have as much abdominal skin and fat that needs to be removed. The scar from a mini Tummy Tuck can be hidden in the pubic hair so is not visible. With a mini Tummy Tuck, the procedure only deals with fat and abdominal laxity below the umbilicus. This procedure is not appropriate for many patients since it only deals with the excess of skin and fat below the umbilicus. Liposuction can be used for fat removal however; skin tightening will once again be done only below the umbilicus.

The modified abdominoplasty is for patients that are somewhere in between the two above procedures. You have a few more options such as where the scar will be according to certain type of clothing such as the bikini line. This procedure can also be done without any muscular repair; however, there will be less definition in your waistline but also means less pain. This procedure is best for those with to much abdominal skin, fat or laxity for the mini tummy tuck but not enough excess fat and skin for the standard procedure.

Liposuction can be used during any abdominoplasty to aid in the appearance of the sides where the incision ends and the flanks begin. When liposuction is used, less infection has been noted. Many people prefer to have liposuction around 6 months to 12 months after abdominoplasty to tune up the results for a better cosmetic look.