A tummy tuck, also referred to as an abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure to change the way the abdomen looks and feels.
Tummy tuck is a surgical treatment used to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove extra skin and fat from the waist. A tummy tuck procedure produces a narrower, smoother, and flatter stomach. Partial abdominoplasty, commonly referred to as a mini tummy tuck, may be an option for some patients in place of the full procedure. Patients who desire to flatten their lower abdomen in particular should be aware of this.
Excess skin and fat are removed from the abdomen during a stomach tuck. Sutures are typically used to tighten the fascia, the connective tissue in the abdomen. The remaining skin is then moved to give the appearance of more toning.
If you have extra skin or fat around your belly button, weak lower abdominal wall, or both, you might decide on this type of procedure.
THE BENEFITS
There are several reasons why you can have extra body fat, skin that isn’t very elastic, or weak connective tissue in your abdomen. These consist of:
- Pregnancy-related significant weight changes
- C-sections and other abdominal operations
- C-sections and other abdominal operations
- natural body type
- A tummy tuck can tighten weak fascia and remove loose, extra skin and fat.
- Additionally, stretch marks and extra skin in the lower abdomen below the belly button may be removed during a stomach tuck. Stretch marks outside of this region cannot be removed by a tummy tuck.
Most frequently, an abdominoplasty will:
- Rebuild weaker or separated muscles.
- Assist in reducing discomfort
- Enhance bladder performance
Alter the contour and tone of the abdomen to create a firmer and smoother profile, which will decrease itchiness and skin infections brought on by extra skin.
An abdominoplasty cannot replace diet and exercise.
Healthy nutrition and exercise may, but not always, be able to help you have a flatter stomach without surgery. Many doctors advise patients to wait to consider abdominal surgery until they have achieved the ideal body shape beneath through diet and exercise.
THE SURGERY
An incision is made across the lower abdomen to start the tummy tuck procedure. To remove the excess and navel from the underlying muscle and tissue, a second incision is then done. The skin is then drawn back towards the ribcage. Trimmed excess skin and fat is removed, and sutures are used to tighten the abdominal muscles. The plastic surgeon relocates the belly button and closes the incision once the abdominoplasty treatment is finished. Following that, dressings are used to support the region.
An antibiotic may be administered to you during the surgery to avoid infection.
Normally, the procedure ranges from 3 Hours +.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
A good candidate is typically a man or woman who wants to have their extra fat deposits removed, has loose abdominal muscles, loose skin, and is within their target body weight and in excellent health.
If you’ve previously undergone a C-section, your plastic surgeon may be able to merge your C-section scar with the scar from your tummy tuck.
Additionally, a tummy tuck can be combined with other body-contouring cosmetic surgeries, such breast augmentation. You might elect to get a tummy tuck after you’ve had liposuction to remove the fat from your abdomen because liposuction only eliminates the tissue just under the skin and the fat, not any extra skin.
PREPARING FOR
It is important to discuss and disclose:
If you have a pre-existing medical condition
Any medication you use, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal remedies
Upon arrival, you will meet with your surgeon for a physical examination to finalise the surgical plan and discuss your goals and concerns.
During this assessment, your doctor will choose the most appropriate course of action for you and go through all the specifics with you, including any potential drawbacks.
You should go into surgery with realistic expectations.
Describe your reasons for wanting a tummy tuck and your expectations for how you will look following the treatment. Make sure you are aware of the procedure’s advantages and disadvantages, including the possibility of scarring. Keeping this in mind, your results may be limited by prior abdominal surgery.
Prior to your surgery, it’s crucial that you give up smoking weeks prior to reduce risks and improve blood circulation.
RECOVERY AND POST-OPERATIVE CARE:
SURGERY DURATION:
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) can take up to 4 hours to perform, depending on how extensive the treatment is. You will stay at the Hospital and be monitored – typically 2 nights and then be transported to your hotel for recovery.
POST SURGERY
Following the procedure, you can anticipate:
- A drain in the incision to aid in preventing fluid buildup
- Inflammation and bruising
- Possibly numbness in the skin between the navel and the wound
- Pain and discomfort
- Being unable to stand up straight in the first place
- An abdominal “tugging” feeling
- Your abdomen is covered in bandages or dressings.
- A compression garment to help reduce swelling
Additionally, your surgeon could advise taking a blood thinner for a short period of time following your tummy tuck.
Following your tummy tuck, you will need to wear an abdominal binder for around six weeks. This offers abdominal support while you recuperate and helps avoid fluid buildup. How to take care of your scar will be explained by your doctor.
After a tummy tuck, you must use caution when moving around for the first six weeks. To protect the wound from reopening, you’ll also need to avoid positions that put strain on the incision line, like quickly bending at the waist.
DURATION OF STAY:
The majority of surgeons advise taking a Medical Holiday of 7 to 10 days, during which time you will schedule routine follow-up meetings with your surgeon.
COMPLICATIONS AND RISKS
All surgical operations can experience complications and risks.
Listed below are a few potential side effects of an abdominal procedure:
- Infection of the wound that may need to be treated with antibiotics
- Discomfort and pain near the locations of the incisions
- Haematoma (an collection of blood around the surgical site that may require drainage) (an accumulation of blood around the surgical site that may require drainage)
- Scars that are noticeable and prominent, such as keloid and hypertrophic scars (raised, thickened scars that grow over healed incisions),
- The majority of the time, numbness around surgical sites is temporary and will subside over several months.
- Skin that does not heal and may necessitate a skin graft
- Due to the tightened skin, it is difficult to bend forwards.
- Excess fluid accumulation under the skin (seroma) around a surgical site, which may necessitate one or more needle drainage procedures.
- The requirement for a blood transfusion (in the unlikely event of a large amount of blood loss during surgery)
- Blood clots, which can be fatal if they travel to the lungs
- The general anesthetic caused nausea and vomiting.
Other complications may be increased as a result of your medical history or lifestyle.
Consult your healthcare provider.
PREOPERATIVE SCREENING
Prior to hospital admission and surgery, it is standard hospital practice for your surgeon to do diagnostic tests and/or laboratory investigations to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery.
Before departing for a foreign country, the patient must undergo blood tests to avoid potential cancellations.
SIDE EFFECTS:
- Pain and stiffness
- Discomfort
- Temporary bruising
- Swelling
RECOVERY
Follow the advice of your doctor.
Rest as much as you can.
Follow all wound-care instructions.
For at least one month, avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.
Report any bleeding, severe pain, or unusual symptoms to your doctor.
Your doctor may advise you to do the following:
To prevent deep vein thrombosis, wear compression stockings on your legs for seven to ten days after surgery.
For several weeks, wear a compression garment over the surgical site.
Return to work: Ranging between 2-4 weeks ( dependent on individual results and healing)
Healing : 3-4 Months Recovery and a year for Scars (or longer, pending individual healing)
##Please take note## – This data serves as a guide for your potential care. During your initial visit, you must discuss and share with your surgeon your individual concerns and medical history.
Other procedures to consider? Brazilian Butt Lift, Vaser Liposuction, 360 liposuction, Tummy Tuck, Mommy Makover
