The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are plagued by large fat deposits or loose abdominal skin that has not responded to diet or exercise. The surgeon will make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. A second incision is then made to free the navel from all surrounding tissue. Please note that with partial abdominoplasty, the incision will be much shorter and the navel may stay in place, although it may be pulled into an unnatural shape as the skin is tightened and stitched. The surgeon then separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to the ribs and proceeds to lift a large skin flap that reveals the vertical muscles in the abdomen. Pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position tightens these muscles. This will make for a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline. The last step to this procedure is stretching the skin flap down and the extra skin is then removed. A new hole is cut for the navel, which is then stitched in place. The incisions will then be stitched, dressings will be applied, and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.