A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. If your fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex procedure called a partial abdominoplasty; also know as a mini-tummy tuck.