Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a “tummy tuck“, is a major cosmetic surgery 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. But bear in mind, this surgery does produce a permanent scar which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can extend from hip to hip.

If you’re considering tummy tuck, this page will give you a basic understanding of the cosmetic procedure, when it can help, how it’s performed and what results you can expect.

The Best Candidate for Tummy Tuck

The best candidates for tummy tuck are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won’t respond to diet or exercise.

The surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal. Loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved.

Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight should postpone the surgery. Also, women who plan future pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can separate again during pregnancy. If you have scarring from previous abdominal surgery, your surgeon may recommend against tummy tuck or may caution you that scars could be unusually prominent.

Tummy Tuck can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.

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Planning Your Tummy Tuck

In your initial consultation, your plastic surgeon will evaluate your health, determine the extent of fat deposits in your abdominal region, and carefully assess your skin tone. Be sure to tell your surgeon if you smoke, and if you’re taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs.

Be frank in discussing your expectations with your surgeon. He or she should be equally frank with you, describing your alternatives and the risks and limitations of each.

In any case, your surgeon should work with you to recommend the procedure that is right for you and will come closest to producing the desired body contour.

During the consultation, your surgeon should also explain the anaesthesia he or she will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs involved.

Preparing For Your Tummy Tuck

Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins, and medications.

If you smoke, plan to quit at least one to two weeks before your surgery and not to resume for at least two weeks after your surgery. Avoid overexposure to the sun before surgery, especially to your abdomen, and do not go on a stringent diet, as both can inhibit your ability to heal. If you develop a cold or infection of any kind, your surgery will probably be postponed.

Whether your surgery is done on an outpatient or inpatient basis, you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a day or two after you leave the hospital, if needed.

Tummy Tuck: The Surgery

Complete tummy tuck usually takes two to five hours, depending on the extent of work required. Partial tummy tuck may take an hour or two.

Most commonly, the surgeon will make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue.

With partial tummy tuck, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved, although it may be pulled into an unnatural shape as the skin is tightened and stitched.

Next, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and lifts a large skin flap to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen.

These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline.

The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched in place. Finally, the incisions will be stitched, dressings will be applied, and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.

In partial tummy tuck, the skin is separated only between the incision line and the navel. This skin flap is stretched down, the excess is removed, and the flap is stitched back into place.

After Your Surgery

For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen and you’re likely to feel some pain and discomfort which can be controlled by medication. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be released within a few hours or you may have to remain hospitalised for two to three days.

Your surgeon will give you instructions for showering and changing your dressings.

And though you may not be able to stand straight at first, you should start walking as soon as possible.

Surface stitches will be removed in ten to fourteen days. If dissolvable stitches are used there will be no need for suture removal. The dressing on your incision may be replaced by a support garment.