A tummy tuck is a plastic surgery that improves the appearance and shape of the abdomen. It is also known as abdominoplasty. It is an ideal surgical solution for people who have excess skin or flab in their abdomen that can’t be tightened with exercises such as sit-ups or with a proper diet. 

This procedure eliminates the excess skin and flattens the abdomen by firming the muscles in the abdominal wall. This way the patient’s core strength is significantly better. It also tightens the connective tissue in the abdomen and repositions the repairing skin to create a better-toned appearance of the abdomen. 

A tummy tuck is not liposuction but it can be safely combined with it in order to eliminate excess fat tissue. 

It is very effective in eliminating the skin around the belly button and tightening the lower abdominal wall. 

Tummy tuck surgery can also have medical advantages. It strengthens the abdominal muscles and thus improves the patient’s posture and relieves the back, neck or shoulder pain. Flatter and better-toned abdomen can motivate the patient to exercise regularly and maintain the effects of tummy tuck surgery. 

Procedure info at a glance

Will I be awake or asleep during the surgery? General anesthesia is used
Do I stay in hospital after surgery? The patient will need to stay in the surgical facility for several days
What is the recovery time? When can I return to work/exercise? 4-6 weeks
How long will the surgery last? 2-5 hours, depending on the extent of surgery
How long until the final results of surgery are visible? 12 months after the surgery

WHY IS TUMMY TUCK PERFORMED?

There are several reasons why people choose to have this aesthetic surgery. It may be loose skin on the abdomen, weak connective tissue or loss of elasticity in the abdominal skin.

These aesthetic issues usually appear because of:

  • Pregnancy
  • Previous abdominal surgeries, like a C-section
  • Aging
  • Major weight loss
  • Hereditary predisposition
  • Gravity pull

A tummy tuck procedure removes excess, saggy skin and fat and firms the abdominal wall. It can also reduce stretch marks and excess skin in the area below the belly button. 

If the patient has had a C-section, the plastic surgeon can make the tummy tuck incision along the existing C-section scar. 

This cosmetic surgery can be combined with other body-contouring procedures, such as breast surgery or liposuction. For example, if the patient has already had liposuction to eliminate fatty tissue from the abdomen then he/she can have a tummy tuck procedure to remove the excess skin left after the liposuction.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TUMMY TUCK?

The benefits of this procedure are both medical and aesthetic.

Medical Benefits of a Tummy Tuck:
· Decrease Back Pain
· Improve Posture
· Reduce Stress Urinary Incontinence

A tummy tuck can solve the problem of back, shoulder and neck pain that happens because of weak abdominal muscles. These muscles lose their tone after pregnancy or major weight loss. Once the excess skin is removed from the abdomen, the weakened muscles become firmer and better-tone. Improved abdominal muscles can support the patient’s back properly and ease back pain. 

Aesthetic Benefits of a Tummy Tuck:

· Improved Appearance
· Enhanced Posture
· Relieved Back Pain
· Hernia Relief
· Easier to Exercise 
· Removal of Caesarean Section

Once the abdominal muscles are stronger they improve the patient’s posture. Also, without excess skin on their abdomen, patients can exercise easily and keep their newly shaped bodies.

How a Tummy Tuck Can Benefit Your Overall Health?
A flatter abdomen that goes perfectly with the rest of the patient’s body greatly increases the patient’s confidence and improves his/her self-image. The patient’s new body helps him/her get more active and feel more attractive.

With a newly and properly shaped abdomen, the patient can wear more flattering clothes, socialize more and enjoy an improved quality of life. 

FREQUENT QUESTIONS

  • WHO IS A PERFECT CANDIDATE FOR THE TUMMY TUCK PROCEDURE?

    A tummy tuck procedure can be beneficial for men and women who are generally healthy and fit.

    This procedure is perfect for ladies who are finished with planning a family. They can firm their abdominal muscles and eliminate excess skin that is left after pregnancy.

    Tummy tuck surgery is also beneficial for both male and female patients who lost a lot of weight and are left with saggy skin in their midsection.

  • WHO SHOULD AVOID THE TUMMY TUCK SURGERY?

    Even though tummy tuck is a safe procedure, some conditions are are unfavourable for this surgery. People who may not be good candidates for abdominoplasty

    · Are planning to lose much weight
    · Are considering future pregnancies
    · Have chronic medical conditions like diabetes or blood illnesses
    · Have a BMI higher than 30
    · Had an abdominal surgery that left severe scarring

  • WHAT DOES TUMMY TUCK SURGERY INCLUDE?

    First, the patient has a consultation with the plastic surgeon. Since a tummy tuck is a major surgery, the patient needs to understand every aspect of this procedure. The surgeon carefully examines the patient’s abdominal area to check the level of skin laxity and skin elasticity. The patient talks with the surgeon about his/her previous medical history or current medications he/she might be taking. Next, the surgeon takes the patient’s goals and expectations from the surgery and creates a customized treatment plan. The treatment plan addresses the patient’s specific abdominal skin concerns.

  • HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TUMMY TUCK?

    The surgeon will advise the patient on how to prepare for the surgery. It’s important to follow all the recommendations to have a smooth experience with tummy tuck surgery.

    A couple of weeks before the surgery, the patient should stop smoking, because smoking can slow down the healing process.

    It’s important not to keep a drastic diet. It’s better to maintain a healthy and well-balanced diet to heal faster.

    The patient should stop taking blood-thinning medications like aspirin or ibuprofen because these medicines may cause excessive bleeding during and after the surgery.

  • WHAT DOES TUMMY TUCK SURGERY LOOK LIKE?

    When the patient arrives at the surgical facility, he/she is first prepped for the surgery. Then the patient is given general anesthesia and the surgery can start.

    The surgeon makes an incision across the lower abdomen, above the pubic area and from hip to hip. The surgeon makes the next incision to lift the belly button from the surrounding tissue. Then he separates the skin from the patient’s abdominal wall, removes excess skin and fat and realigns the abdominal muscles. The surgeon attaches the belly button in its place, puts together the remaining skin and stitches it firmly in place. Finally, he puts the bandages on the treated area to keep the stitches in place.

    Depending on the extent of the surgery, it can last between 2 and 5 hours. The patient will need to stay in the surgical facility for several days.

    When the patient is ready to go home, he/she needs to arrange for someone to drive him/her home and stay with him/her for 24 hours. The patient leaves the surgical facility with bandages and a special pressure corset or garment.

  • WHAT SIDE EFFECTS ARE EXPECTED AFTER TUMMY TUCK?

    Every surgery carries a risk of side effects so tummy tuck is no exception.

    Common side effects include swelling, bruising and mild pain. The patient may have difficulty standing straight and feel as if his/her tummy is pulled. This improves with time.

    The patient might also feel numbness in the tummy for a couple of months. In the first 6 weeks, the abdominoplasty scar is red and raised. After that time, it starts to fade. There might also be some fluid-filled swelling over the scar, which also resolves on its own.

    In case of more serious side effects, the patient needs to inform the surgeon immediately.

    The scar is located across the lower abdomen area and around the belly button.

  • WHAT DOES RECOVERY INCLUDE?

    Every patient is different so the recovery time may vary. It all depends on how fast the patient’s body is healing. To speed up the recovery, the patient should strictly follow the surgeon's recommendations. The bandage is a firm, elastic band that helps the skin heal properly.

    The treated area will be bandaged so the surgeon will explain to the patient how to look after the stitches and bandages.

    The general time frame for recovery is 4 to 6 weeks. The patient needs to take time off work and take plenty of rest.

    After 6 weeks the patient can see the results of his/her tummy tuck surgery. That’s also the time during which the patient needs to wear a compression garment to reduce the swelling and to enable the skin to heal properly. Once the patient is allowed to take off the compression garment, he/she can resume most of her daily activities.

    During the recovery period, the patient should wear loose-fitting clothes that close at the front to avoid pressuring the treated area.

    The patient should sleep on the back with bent knees in order not to put additional pressure on the stitches.

    After a couple of weeks, the patient has a follow-up appointment with the surgeon, so that the surgeon can check if the wound is healing in the right way.

  • WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF TUMMY TUCK SURGERY?

    The first results are seen after a week or two when the patient can stand in the upright position - the whole body appears slimmer. By eliminating excess fat and skin and firming the abdominal wall, the patient’s abdomen looks better toned, flatter and proportionate to the rest of the body.

    The results of the tummy tuck procedure are long-lasting and natural-looking. With a proper diet, exercise and keeping a stable weight, the patient can prolong the effects of this procedure.