What Is a Tummy Tuck?
The tummy tuck procedure is also referred to as ‘abdominoplasty’ and is aimed at eliminating excess skin and fat in the abdominal area. In the majority of cases, a tummy tuck also helps in restoring disjointed or weakened muscles and creates a firmer and smoother abdominal profile.
Who Needs a Tummy Tuck?
Most people wish to flaunt a well-toned stomach and may employ extreme diet and exercise regimes to achieve this goal. But stubborn fat sometimes fails to respond to any form of exercise or diet. In such cases, a tummy tuck works as the perfect solution. Even if you are at a normal weight and have a proportionate body structure, it is possible that your stomach is loose/sagging or protrudes out. An abdominoplasty works in such cases as well.
Some of the common reasons why people struggle with excess skin and fat or loose skin around their abdomen include the following:
- Heredity
- Aging
- Pregnancy
- Major weight fluctuations
Candidates for a Tummy Tuck
All individuals (males and females) who enjoy good general health can consider an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery. The procedure is common among women who’ve experienced multiple pregnancies and ended up with loose and sagging skin around the stomach. The abdominoplasty surgery helps in tightening the muscles and removing extra skin from their stomach. The result is a firmer, smoother and more toned abdomen.
The tummy tuck procedure may also be considered by those people who were earlier overweight and hence have loose skin and/or fat deposits around the abdomen.
Types of Abdominoplasty
Complete/Full Abdominoplasty
In the traditional tummy tuck, the surgeon will make an incision in the area around your navel (besides the incision in the lower abdominal area). The procedure typically involves the removal of excess skin, the tightening of abdominal muscles, and liposuction for reshaping the abdomen. In a complete abdominoplasty, skin is removed from the area above your navel, all the way down to your pubic area. It is generally performed in cases of multiple pregnancies, extreme obesity or genetic laxity.
Mini/Partial Abdominoplasty
A mini-abdominoplasty is usually recommended for those who have fat deposits located underneath the navel. This procedure will not likely require a repositioning of the belly button and takes just about 2 hours to be completed (time may vary slightly, depending on each individual case). In a mini-abdominoplasty, the surgeon will make just one incision in the patient’s pubic area.
Your Initial Consultation and Preparation
For each tummy tuck candidate, Dr. Feldmar schedules an initial consultation to discuss important details such as the specific surgical goals, current health status and medical conditions, treatments and drug allergies, earlier surgeries, and lifestyle habits such as alcohol and tobacco use.
The initial consultation will also include an evaluation of your overall health status, risk factors, and pre-existing medical conditions. This will help the doctor assess your options for the best surgery results.
Tummy tuck procedures are usually scheduled to be executed in accredited surgical facilities, hospitals or licensed ambulatory surgery centers. The procedure could go on for anywhere between 1 to 5 hours, depending on each individual case. A patient may also need to plan for an overnight stay at the surgical facility or hospital.
A tummy tuck is typically performed under the effect of general anesthesia so that no pain is felt during the surgery.
Recovery
After the tummy tuck procedure is completed, your surgeon may apply bandages or dressings to the incisions in order to aid recovery. A special compression garment or elastic bandage may also be prescribed for wrapping around the operated area. This will help in minimizing swelling while also supporting the abdomen which is healing after surgery.
To support recovery from a breast lift surgery, the surgeon will apply bandages or dressings to your incisions once the surgery is concluded. Most patients are advised to adorn a support bra or an elasticated bandage for reducing swelling. This also helps in supporting the breasts during the healing process.
The recovery procedure generally involves the temporary placement of thin, small tubes underneath the skin for draining any extra fluid or blood that might be accumulated. You would need to take note of the specific instructions given by your surgeon with regards to caring for the surgical site as well as the drains. Medicines may be prescribed to support recovery as well.
Dr. Feldmar recommends that patients should slowly get back to their normal routine rather than rushing into it at once. It is important to note that the recovery time for complete abdominoplasty is usually longer as compared to that of mini abdominoplasty.
