Body Cosmetic Surgery | Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck ” 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.
Loose abdominal skin is most frequently seen in persons who either have lost a lot of weight or in women who had multiple pregnancies.
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a type of plastic surgery that serves to tighten up the abdominal muscles and remove excess skin and fatty tissue.
This intervention is carried out in cases when it is not possible to tighten flaccidly.
Who is a good candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
In order to undergo abdominoplasty procedure, it is very important that the patient is healthy and has consulted with our experts.
Tummy tuck might be right for you if you have:
- Loose or weak stomach muscles due to aging or pregnancy
- Sagging or excess skin in the abdominal area
- Fat in the lower abdomen that is unresponsive to exercise
- Experienced dramatic weight loss or previously had bariatric surgery
In women, the tummy tuck operation is best performed after pregnancies are completed and the body weight is in a relatively stable range. Depending on overall body size, it is acceptable to have mild weight fluctuations within a narrow range of about 5-10 kilograms. Having a tummy tuck will not prevent future pregnancies; however, having a pregnancy after a tummy tuck may require a surgical revision of the previous tightening. During your consultation and examination with our surgeon, he will assess the patient’s overall health, skin tone, and distribution of fatty tissue within the abdominal area and examine the abdomen for scars from previous abdominal surgeries if necessary.
How is this procedure performed?
The goal of the abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) operation is not only to bring a toned and tightened appearance to the abdominal area, but also to position the scars associated with the procedure in the most aesthetically appealing shape and position possible.
Complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to three hours depending on the extent of work required.
Ideally, the incision will be placed low and centrally, just above the hair-bearing pubic area. The incision raises slightly as it goes toward the hips but still maintains at a relatively low position.
The length of the incision will typically depend on the amount of excess skin to be removed.
During the procedure, our experts will tighten abdominal muscles that may have loosened as a result of pregnancy or weight gain. Once in the ideal position and with the desired tightness, the muscles and surrounding connective tissue are secured and supported with sutures, which typically allow the tissues to heal in the newly tightened and improved position.
The completed tummy tuck is designed to give you a firmer, more toned-looking abdomen.
Partial abdominoplasty may take an hour or two. Most commonly, the surgeon will make a long incision from hip bone to hip bone just above the pubic area.
In most cases, the scar almost completely disappears after six months or one year.
Recovery after a Tummy Tuck
Most of the patients after the Tummy Tuck procedure find that their abdominal muscles feel very tight.
In the first days after surgery, it is important to make the effort, get out of bed and walk.
In this way, patients stimulate circulation and help abdominal muscles to develop in line with the new positions.
To help alleviate some of this discomfort, pain medication will be prescribed and a muscle relaxer can be used during the first days following surgery.
Patients should allow 2 to 3 weeks for the initial bruising and swelling to subside and expect the residual swelling to gradually dissipate over several months. Avoid lifting, bending, and especially twisting motions for at least 4 weeks.
As tummy tuck healing progresses, individuals typically notice a clear difference in how they look and how clothes fit. Many patients find that a tummy tuck improves their self-esteem and makes them feel more confident about their appearance, both in and out of clothes.