Tummy Tuck Surgery

A tummy tuck also known as abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure to improve the shape and the appearance of the abdomen. The tummy tuck is done in case of a number of reasons:

• Signifiant changes in weight.
• Pregnancy
• Aging
• Patient naturel body type

A tummy tuck can remove loose, excess skin and fat, and tighten weak fascia. It may also remove stretch marks and excess skin in the lower abdomen below the bellybutton. A tummy tuck can also be done in combination with other contouring cosmetic procedures, such as breast surgery.

Tummy tuck procedure is not recommended if the patient might consider Pregnancy in the future, or if the patient’s body mass index greater than 30.

What are the Riscks of the Tummy tuck Surgery?

A tummy tuck poses various risks, including:

• Fluid accumulation beneath the skin. Drainage tubes left in place after surgery can help reduce the risk of excess fluid.
• Poor wound healing. Sometimes areas along the incision line heal poorly or begin to separate.
• Unexpected scarring. The incision scar from a tummy tuck is permanent, but it’s typically placed along the easily hidden bikini line. The length and visibility of the scar varies from person to person.
• Changes in the skin sensation. During a tummy tuck, the repositioning of the abdominal tissues can affect the nerves in the abdominal area, and infrequently, in the upper thighs. The patient will likely feel some reduced sensation or numbness. This usually diminishes in the months after the procedure.

How to get ready to a tummy tuck procedure?

• Avoid certain medications, the patient need to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.
• Stop smoking: Patient should stop it before surgery and during recovery. Smoking increases the risk of tissue damage.
• Maintain a stable weight for at least 12 months before having a tummy tuck. In case of severe overweight, it is recommended that the patient loses weight before proceeding to the surgery, because significant weight loss after the procedure can diminish the result.
• Patient should share all details concerning his/her medical history. He/she must answer questions about current and past medical conditions. He /she should tell the surgeon if he/she is allergic to any medications.
• Doing a physical exam is important to determine the proper treatment that matches with the needs of the patient. The doctor might also take pictures of the abdomen for the medical record.

What happen during the tummy tuck procedure?

The procedure typically takes about two to three hours and is done under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes incisions to remove most of the skin and fat between the bellybutton and the pubic hair in a horizontal oval or elliptical shape. Then, the surgeon tightens the connective tissue that lies over the abdominal muscles with permanent sutures.

The incision above the pubic hair will be stitched together and will leave a scar that falls along the natural crease within the bikini line. After that, the plastic surgeon will reposition the skin around the bellybutton. The bellybutton will be brought out through a small incision and sutured in its normal position.

After the procedure

After finishing the surgery, the abdominal incision and the bellybutton will likely be covered with surgical dressing. Small tubes will be placed along the incision site to drain any excess blood or fluid.

 Members of the health care team will help the patient walk as early as the first day after a tummy tuck to help prevent the formation of blood clots.

The patient will be given pain medication, antibiotics as long as the drains are in place. The surgeon might also prescribe a blood –thinning medication for a short time after the tummy tuck. The patient should wear a supportive abdominal garment for about six weeks after the tummy tuck. This helps prevent fluid buildup and provides abdominal support while the patient heals.

For the six weeks after a tummy tuck, the patient will need to be careful when moving around. The patient should also avoid positions that strain the incision line. Such as quickly bending at the waist to prevent the reopening of the wound.

How long does it take for a tummy tuck to heal and to look normal?

Swelling is usually the main reason why the tummy may not look flat during recovery. As this resolves, the tummy will begin to show its new shape with little visible swelling left within three to four months. However, it can take one full year for the final results to appear and be appreciated.

Additionally, the abdomen’s skin, muscles, fat were repaired or altered during the tummy tuck, these structures need time to heal and settle into their new positions.