Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Why a Tummy Tuck?
Is a Tummy Tuck right for me?
Surgical Procedure
Risks and Complications
Recovery

Why a Tummy Tuck?
If you want a tighter, flatter abdomen, then a tummy tuck may be right for you.

Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin, and in some cases restores weakened or separated muscles. This creates an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer, often enhancing your body image and confidence. A flat and well-toned abdomen is something many of us strive for through exercise and weight control. Sometimes these methods cannot achieve our goals.

Even individuals of otherwise normal body weight and proportion can develop an abdomen that protrudes or is loose and sagging. The most common causes of this include pregnancy, aging, significant fluctuations in weight, heredity and prior surgery.

A tummy tuck is not however a substitute for a weight loss regime or exercise programme. Although the results of a tummy tuck are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For this reason, individuals who are planning substantial weight loss or women who may be considering future pregnancies may be advised to postpone a tummy tuck.

Also, a tummy tuck cannot correct stretch marks, although these may be removed or somewhat improved if they are located on the areas of excess skin that will be excised, generally those treated areas below the belly button.

Is a Tummy Tuck right for me?
Abdominoplasty is a good option for you if

• You are physically healthy and at a stable weight
• You have realistic expectations
• You are a non-smoker
• You are bothered by the feeling that your tummy is too large or too flabby.

Surgical Procedure

A tummy tuck usually begins with a long incision across the abdomen, from hip bone to hip bone. The shape of the incision is like a V, with a flat bottom. The flat part of the V occurs at the bottom point of the abdomen immediately above the pubic area. The sides of the V form angles along the pelvis up to the top of the hip bone. A second incision is made to free the navel from the abdominal tissue.

The skin is separated from the abdominal wall, up to the ribs, exposing the vertical abdominal muscles (rectus muscles). The rectus muscles are then stitched into a new position, tightening the muscles and reducing the waistline. After the muscles have been repositioned and tightened, the excess skin is stretched and removed.

The remaining skin is redraped over the abdominal area and sutured in place. The hole created by the incision around the belly button is normally removed when the excess skin is cut away, and a new hole is formed to place the navel proportionally.

Risks and Complications
As with all medical procedures, there are risks and although these risks are relatively rare in the hands of an experienced and properly trained surgeon, it is vital that you are aware of them and accept them before you decide to for surgery.

Possible risks of abdominoplasty include:

• Unfavorable scarring
• Bleeding (haematoma)
• Infection
• Fluid accumulation
• Poor wound healing
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
• Anaesthesia risks
• Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
• Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
• Major wound separation
• Asymmetry
• Recurrent looseness of skin
• Pain, which may persist
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Persistent swelling in the legs
• Nerve damage
• Possibility of revisional surgery
• Suboptimal aesthetic result
• Fat embolism (fat lobules dislodging into the blood stream)

Recovery
Following your surgery, dressings or bandages may be applied to your incisions, and you may be wrapped in an elastic bandage or a compression garment to minimize swelling and to support your abdomen as it heals.

A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect.

Tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure - you can expect a considerable recovery time compared with other plastic surgeries. Most people require one to three weeks before returning to work and a normal schedule. Some patients may not need an overnight hospital stay. But many patients spend one or two days in the hospital, depending on the extent of the procedure. Your abdomen will be swollen and sore for the first few days. Your surgeon can prescribe pain medication as needed.

It is a good idea to exercise after surgery, but only after enough healing time has passed so that you can exercise comfortably.

The abdominal scars will appear to worsen during the first three to six months, and may take nine months before they flatten and lighten in color. The scars never completely disappear, but they are located to be easily hidden by clothing.

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