Understanding Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty)
Tummy tucks, also known as abdominoplasty, are a surgical procedure designed to smooth and flatten an abdomen. Understanding the procedure, its risks and benefits, and recovery and healing processes help patients make informed decisions regarding this procedure.
One incision, typically from hip bone to hip bone, is made very low on the abdomen, just above the pubic area. The length depends on how much skin there is to be removed. The shape of the incision depends on the patient's body shape and the style of underclothing or swim wear that a patient prefers, so that the scar can be easily concealed with clothing. This is occasionally not possible, but a plastic surgeon will do her best to keep the scar under this line. If there is loose skin above the navel, there will be a second incision around it. The skin is loosened in the entire area. The excess skin is then removed. Sometimes an abdominal muscle tightening procedure is added to tummy tucks, where the surgeon stitches the muscles closer together. An incision is made in the skin where the belly button will be brought through. A tummy tuck can also include liposuction. The incision around the navel is sewn up, and the stretched skin is sewn down to the incision line just above the pubic area. Drain tubes are used to reduce fluid accumulation, and dressings are applied to keep the tubes in place and the surgical site clean.
Tummy tucks generally have very infrequent complications. However, there are risks, and every patient should be aware that they exist, and are possible. Reactions to anesthesia, bleeding, and infection, as well as fluid accumulation are risks that are shared by most surgical procedures. Poor healing is also a possibility, particularly in smokers and individuals with diabetes. This can result in loss of tissue along the horizontal scar. These complications and others can often be avoided by carefully following the instructions of the surgeon before and after the procedure.
Tummy tucks can be performed on an outpatient basis. This means that a patient should arrange to have someone drive them home from the outpatient center after the procedure, and to stay with them for a few days.
This procedure can be performed under general anesthesia. . Patients after the procedure are then monitored closely for a few hours. Not everyone is a candidate for outpatient surgery. Your surgeon can best determine if you should spend the night in the hospital.
The next day, patients are encouraged to get out of bed and take short walks to help with healing. Avoiding sitting too long is important for the first few days. Lifting or straining, or even bending could increase swelling or bleeding, and should be avoided. Patients should, if possible, sleep on their back. Drains should begin to be removed after a week, and stitches are removed in stages, based on a patient’s level of healing. The full impact of tummy tucks on the abdomen cannot really be appreciated until as many as 6 months of healing time after a surgery.
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BEFORE + AFTER PHOTOS
Breast Augmentation | Tummy Tuck | Liposuction