Tummy tuck surgery is removes excess skin and fat from middle and lower abdomen.

Body Contouring Plastic surgery tummy tuck

Tummy Tuck Surgery

The Need For Tummy Tuck Surgery

Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is a leading cosmetic plastic surgery procedure that dramatically enhances the appearance of a protruding abdomen. Tummy tucks are sought by men and women who want to lose excess fat, tissue and reduce the sagging appearance of the tummy. Tummy tuck surgery increases self-esteem and confidence by tightening the muscles of abdominal wall.

Tummy Tuck Surgery – Types of Procedures

Tummy Tuck can be divided into: Mini tummy tucks (partial abdominiplasty) and full tummy tucks. Mini tummy tucks target the lower abdomen only, and are less invasive than a full tummy tuck.

Tummy Tuck Surgery – Who are they for?

Also known as Abdominoplasty, tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery procedure to reshape and firm the abdomen. It involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. This type of surgery is usually sought by women (who are not considering having anymore children) and individuals who have abdominal fat deposits which do not respond well to diet and exercise. But it has also been used after patients have lost a large amount of weight. As the weight was lost, the skin can remain loose. Tummy tucks help to remove this skin and make the body look more in line with the new weight.

Tummy tuck surgery helps men or women who just cannot get rid of a fat deposit around their tummy. The patient may be in good overall shape, but needs some help with their abdomen. After multiple pregnancies, a woman may have loose skin in the abdomen and the tummy tuck can help in reshaping the area. It should be noted that the tummy tuck does leave a large permanent scar.

Tummy Tuck Surgery – Risks And Complications

Risks and complications have always been present with surgeries and tummy tuck surgery is not an exception. It is important to discuss the pros and cons with the plastic surgeon. Many factors can weigh on the decision to have a tummy tuck. The physician will compare the amount of fat that is being stored in the abdomen with present health of the patient prior to the tummy tuck.

The possible risks and complications of the tummy tuck procedure include blood clots and infections, but these are rare. The physician will discuss these risks with the patient to determine how to avoid any harm to the patient. For example, the risk of clotting after a tummy tuck can be reduced by moving as soon as possible after the surgery with a doctor’s supervision.

Tummy Tuck Surgery – Before and After

Medications and lifestyle habits will also be taken into consideration by the tummy tuck physician. For example, if the patient smokes, that will delay healing. Any delay in healing can contribute to more noticeable scarring. Sometimes a patient and physician can work together to stop the smoking habit to aid in the healing after surgery.

Another thing to consider after a tummy tuck is the instructions of the physician. If the patient is not advised to resume normal activities, then that should be followed for as long as the physician has recommended. The patient’s tummy tuck can not heal properly if activity is begun too soon after surgery.

Tummy Tuck Surgery - Procedure

The degree and types of tummy tuck surgery largely depends on the amount of fat deposit an area of localization. If the fat deposits are focused beneath the belly button, the patient may be able to have a less complicated procedure—a partial tummy tuck/mini tummy tuck or partial abdominoplasty. This less invasive procedure can even be done on an outpatient basis in some cases. Sometimes liposuction is done along with a tummy tuck procedure to remove as many of the fat deposits as possible and make the entire abdominal area consistent. Of course in some instances, liposuction may be a better option than a tummy tuck.

As in other surgical procedures, the physician will discuss the options of anesthesia with the patient receiving the tummy tuck. Depending on the extent to which the stomach is being reconstructed, the anesthesia can be localized to the area of the tummy tuck, or general, i.e. the patient is ‘put to sleep.’ Again, this will vary from case to case, patient to patient.

Other ideas to discuss prior to the tummy tuck can include the location of the surgical procedure (depends on the extent of the surgery and the preference of the physician), how much health insurance will contribute, and who to enlist to help the patient for a few days following the surgery.

A complete tummy tuck surgery lasts anywhere from two to five hours, while the mini tummy tuck takes one to two hours to complete. The surgery usually involves an incision from the patient’s one hipbone to the next hipbone, followed by another incision to separate the navel. In a mini tummy tuck, the second incision is much smaller and may not involve moving the navel at all.

The next step in the tummy tuck is the surgeon separating the skin from the abdominal muscle wall on up to the rib cage. This will produce a large flap of skin that when moved, will reveal the muscles of the abdomen. In the tummy tuck, these muscles will be tightened by being stitched closer together in a flatter position. This step will also produce a smaller waistline. The skin is then re-stretched over the new, smaller area, with the excess skin being removed in this stage of the tummy tuck. The incision sites are then stitched back together and bandages are applied. In some case following a tummy tuck, a tube may be put into the site to drain any excess fluid from the abdomen.

Tummy Tuck Surgery – Post-Surgery Experience

Following the tummy tuck cosmetic surgery, the patient will experience some discomfort and swelling—both of which can be controlled by medications prescribed by the surgeon. Occasionally, a patient who has had a tummy tuck will need to remain in the hospital for a few days, but overall it will be the extent of tummy tuck surgery that will determine the length of the stay. The released patient will be given instructions on how to care for the area after the tummy tuck which includes showering, bandage changing, etc. Stitches will be removed over the course of the following weeks, the bandages that covered the tummy tuck area will be removed, and support garments may then be used.

The better shape a patient is prior to the tummy tuck will determine the rate at which he/she recovers. With continued exercise and a healthy diet, the results of a tummy tuck can last for a long time. The scarring will fade over time, and it usually not noticeable. The patient with realistic expectations from the tummy tuck and a commitment to their new shape can benefit tremendously from the tummy tuck procedure.