It is a major surgical procedure where the patient undergoes general anesthesia. The classic abdominoplasty is to remove the abdominal skin flap (extra skin) by a horizontal cut above the pubic area that extends to both sides of the hip to lift the skin of the abdomen upward to the ribs, exposing the abdominal muscles. To achieve the repair of abdominal muscles and promote a strong wall and a smaller waist, these muscles tighten and bind to the midline.

Since the abdominal muscles repaired skin is stretched towards the pubis and the extra skin is cut, it makes a second incision around the navel, in order to separate the tissues that lie below it and to relocate again. Finally, sutures and a bandage and a temporary drainage tube to remove excess fluid that can accumulate in the abdominal area.