TUMMY TUCK ( ABDOMINOPLASTY )
Tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery procedure to improve the appearance of the abdomen by giving it a smooth appearance. It involves removal of an ellipse of skin and fat from the lower part of the abdomen. The underlying muscles are strengthened in case they are weak and separated in the midline.
What causes laxity of the abdomen?
There are multiple causes. These include:
Is tummy tuck right for you?
You are a good candidate if:
The results of a tummy tuck are long lasting. However, it is recommended that tummy tuck is postponed if you are planning a pregnancy or significant weight loss.
How costly is tummy tuck?
It is a sum of anesthesia charges, hospital or facility charges, the cost of medications and garments and surgeon fees. During the preoperative consultation, you will be given an approximate cost of the procedure.
What are the steps involved in undergoing tummy tuck?
It begins with a preoperative consultation. Here the patient goals and possible outcomes are discussed. The patient should be prepared to reveal the details of any coexisting illness, medications, and previous surgeries. Further investigations like ultrasound may be advised based on the physical examination findings. The position of the incision and scars are discussed with the patient. You would also be advised about the recovery following a tummy tuck. You should feel free to clarify any doubts. Photographs of the abdomen are taken before surgery. You may be asked to stop certain medications or herbal supplements. This is to ensure a speedy recovery.
Procedure steps: It is carried out under general or spinal anesthesia. Part of the upper abdomen and lateral areas are first treated with liposuction. The incision is placed in the lower part of the abdomen. In cases with a preexisting vertical scar, these may be revised. An ellipse of skin and fat is removed from the lower part of the abdomen. The fascia covering the muscles are tightened in the midline. A co-existing hernia is tackled at this stage. The umbilicus may be placed at a higher level to accommodate for the shift due to the removal of skin from lower part of the abdomen. The incision is closed with sutures and tapes.
Recovery: Patients are encouraged to walk once they recover from anesthesia. Early ambulation helps avoid stasis of blood in legs. You may have thin tubes sticking out near the wounds. These prevent the collection of fluids at the operated site. These are removed once the drainage decrease below a certain level. You can shower from the second day. The dressings are regularly changed during the first week after surgery. Most of the sutures are removed at the end of the first week and remaining are removed by the end of two weeks. Light activities can be started at the end of the first week. Activities which involve heavy exertion are postponed till the end of six weeks. You may be advised to wear a compression garment for the first three months. Silicone sheets may be recommended in some individuals with a tendency for prominent scars. It is common to find swelling in the lower part of the abdomen. This gradually reduces with time. There may be numbness over the skin adjacent to the incision. In most cases it improves without any intervention.
Are there benefits other than improvement of appearance with a tummy tuck?
Improvement in appearance is usually associated with improved levels of confidence and self-esteem.
What causes laxity of the abdomen?
There are multiple causes. These include:
- Aging
- Pregnancy
- Weight loss
- Heredity
- Previous surgery
Is tummy tuck right for you?
You are a good candidate if:
- You want to improve the appearance of the abdomen.
- You are healthy.
- You are a nonsmoker.
- Have reasonable expectations about the procedure.
The results of a tummy tuck are long lasting. However, it is recommended that tummy tuck is postponed if you are planning a pregnancy or significant weight loss.
How costly is tummy tuck?
It is a sum of anesthesia charges, hospital or facility charges, the cost of medications and garments and surgeon fees. During the preoperative consultation, you will be given an approximate cost of the procedure.
What are the steps involved in undergoing tummy tuck?
It begins with a preoperative consultation. Here the patient goals and possible outcomes are discussed. The patient should be prepared to reveal the details of any coexisting illness, medications, and previous surgeries. Further investigations like ultrasound may be advised based on the physical examination findings. The position of the incision and scars are discussed with the patient. You would also be advised about the recovery following a tummy tuck. You should feel free to clarify any doubts. Photographs of the abdomen are taken before surgery. You may be asked to stop certain medications or herbal supplements. This is to ensure a speedy recovery.
Procedure steps: It is carried out under general or spinal anesthesia. Part of the upper abdomen and lateral areas are first treated with liposuction. The incision is placed in the lower part of the abdomen. In cases with a preexisting vertical scar, these may be revised. An ellipse of skin and fat is removed from the lower part of the abdomen. The fascia covering the muscles are tightened in the midline. A co-existing hernia is tackled at this stage. The umbilicus may be placed at a higher level to accommodate for the shift due to the removal of skin from lower part of the abdomen. The incision is closed with sutures and tapes.
Recovery: Patients are encouraged to walk once they recover from anesthesia. Early ambulation helps avoid stasis of blood in legs. You may have thin tubes sticking out near the wounds. These prevent the collection of fluids at the operated site. These are removed once the drainage decrease below a certain level. You can shower from the second day. The dressings are regularly changed during the first week after surgery. Most of the sutures are removed at the end of the first week and remaining are removed by the end of two weeks. Light activities can be started at the end of the first week. Activities which involve heavy exertion are postponed till the end of six weeks. You may be advised to wear a compression garment for the first three months. Silicone sheets may be recommended in some individuals with a tendency for prominent scars. It is common to find swelling in the lower part of the abdomen. This gradually reduces with time. There may be numbness over the skin adjacent to the incision. In most cases it improves without any intervention.
Are there benefits other than improvement of appearance with a tummy tuck?
- Stretch marks located in the lower part of the abdomen are removed with the ellipse of skin.
- Coexisting conditions such as a para-umbilical hernia can be treated along with tummy tuck.
Improvement in appearance is usually associated with improved levels of confidence and self-esteem.
Tummy Tuck : Red line indicates the incision. An ellipse of skin and fatty tissue is removed from the lower part of abdomen.
Liposuction of the torso.
To read our blog post on whether you are better suited for liposuction or tummy tuck, click here.