Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty
Tummy Tuck is a cosmetic surgery procedure primarily for women who have been pregnant or women and men who lost a significant amount of weight. The surgery takes 2–3 hours and plastic surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the mid and lower abdomen.
Types of Tummy Tucks:
- Standard Full Tummy Tuck (Full Abdominoplasty) – is an excellent operation for women or men who have loose skin above and below the belly button that does not go away with weight loss or exercise.
- Mini Tummy Tuck (Mini-Abdominoplasty) – is a smaller operation than a standard full tummy tucks, with a shorter scar, and the belly button is not released or moved. It is advised for clients whose skin laxity and muscle weakness problems are limited to the area below the belly button.
- Extended Tummy Tuck (Extended Abdominoplasty) – is similar to a standard full tummy tuck, but the incision is extended to include excision of skin and fat from the areas of hip and lower back. This longer incision enables the plastic surgeon to deal with bulging and excess skin of areas of your hips and back that aren’t addressed in a standard abdominoplasty technique.
- Tummy Tuck with Liposuction – tummy tuck removes only fat of the lower abdomen. If you have significant fat in the upper abdomen and also loose skin in the lower abdomen, the plastic surgeon can advise you tummy tuck with liposuction. For some clients he might also advise tummy tuck with liposuction of upper abdomen, waist and flanks (sides).
Tummy Tuck and stretch marks
Stretch marks can not be corrected with a tummy tuck, although these may be removed or somewhat improved if they are primarily located on the areas where excess skin will be excised, generally those treated areas below the belly button.
Obesity is the reason to avoid or postpone a Tummy Tuck
If you are obese, the circulation to your abdominal skin and fat may be too poor for proper healing following tummy tuck. You will be at high risk for infection and wound separation.
If you’re considering Tummy Tuck…
Tummy Tuck, technically known more as „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. But please bear in mind, it 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.
The treatment flattens a protruding tummy caused by weak abdominal muscles, weight gain or pregnancy – areas that do not respond well to diet or exercise because the skin has been stretched. Prior to surgery, a complete medical history is taken in order to evaluate your general health. The plastic surgeon will discuss realistic expectations and will determine the extent of the surgery required. We will ask you to inform us and the plastic surgeon whether you smoke and if you are taking any medicines.
The best candidates for Tummy Tuck
The best candidates for abdominoplasty 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 doctor 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 plastic surgeon.
Preparation
Pharmaceuticals containing acetylsalicylic acid should not be used for 3 weeks before the cosmetic surgery, as they decrease clotting time of blood. In case you are a smoker you are advised to stop smoking or at least to cut down on cigarettes. Smoking slows down recovery process and it can also increase a risk or complications. Patients should relieve themselves thoroughly in the evening and in the morning before the operation.
Operation
A tummy tuck will flatten a protruding tummy by removing excess skin and fat, achieving a firmer and flatter tummy and a slimmer waist.
Prior to surgery, the plastic surgeon marks your incisions with a kin-marking pen. Before the surgeon marks you, be sure to tell him about any special clothing goals you have. If you want your scars to be hidden beneath a bikini or a favourite style of panties, then you need to let the plastic surgeon know that. If this is important to you, you can bring the garments with you at marking time.
Treatment takes 2–3 hours and is performed in an operating theatre under general anaesthesia. The incision is usually made at the bikini line so that any scarring can be hidden beneath the underwear. The skin is then separated from the abdominal wall and lifted up, exposing the loose tissue that covers the abdominal muscles. The excess skin and fat are then removed and the remaining skin pulled down over the tummy.
Finally, the surgeon sutures the incision, and drains are usually inserted to eliminate fluid build-up. Bandages are then applied to the area. In some cases, it is recommended that the tummy tuck be combined with liposuction in order to eliminate localized fat accumulation.
Post-operational course
On the first day after the operation only a tea diet is allowed. You should rise slowly out of bed without making any quick movements, and you should get up „over side“. This means to lie on their side at first and only after this has been accomplished, should you get into a sitting position.
The drain, which is introduced during the operation into the operating incision, is usually removed within 96 hours.
Tight underwear specially designed for this kind of operation, must be worn for a period of 1–2 months after the operation. With Beauty in Prague this underwear is already included in the price of the cosmetic surgery.
Building up one’s muscles and any greater physical strain is not recommended for a period of 2 months if, during the operation, the gap between direct abdominal muscles has been removed. The cicatrices should be covered with a strip of hypoallergenic plaster for a period of 1–3 months after the operation. Bruising and swelling around the treated area will disappear within a few weeks. Scars from the surgery will remain, but fade significantly over time.
How will I feel after the surgery?
You will probably feel tired, sleepy and suffer from pain especially in 1–3 days after the surgery. You will be given some painkillers and tablets for reducing the swelling. The surgeon will also prescribe antibiotics as a prevention of any potential infection.
You might also feel unhappy after a few days. This is normal and is caused due to the stress, general anaesthetic, or lack of patience with the healing problems.
To know more about tummy tuck from the best plastic and cosmetic surgeons in Los Angeles visit our website www.beverlyhillsphysicians.com