Tummy Tuck

Consultation

During your consultation, you will discuss your medical history with the doctor. Be completely open with the doctor about your concerns, habits and expectations. The doctor may take photos of your tummy, measure them, and talk with you about the best possible treatment to achieve your goal. You will also learn about preparing for the surgery and planning for your recovery. The doctor may also ask you to get your lab tests done in order to measure your haemoglobin levels etc.

Your doctor might, delay your surgery if you are pregnant or you have certain conditions like diabetes or heart issues. You will not be recommended the surgery if you are overweight.

There are certain guidelines that the doctor will advise you to follow before the surgery, like maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regularly, stop smoking at least three weeks before the surgery, to strictly avoid anti-inflammatory drugs or medicines having aspirin so that the risk of excess bleeding is reduced.

Surgery

Tummy Tuck surgery lasts between 2 to 4 hours and involves the use of general or spinal anaesthesia. The patient may be required to stay in the hospital for 1 or 2 nights. There are different tummy tuck techniques which include:

• Standard/Full Tummy Tuck: It is the most common form of a tummy tuck. However, this procedure is generally used in cases of excessive weight or multiple pregnancy. In this procedure, the extra amount of skin is removed from the upper abdomen. It involves an incision along the bikini line that extends to the hip around the belly button, removing the fat or sagging skin above the pubic hair up to the belly button and the remaining skin is pulled down over the stomach.
• Mini Tummy Tuck: A mini tummy tuck focuses on the area of the tummy that lies below the navel. Your plastic surgeon will make a single incision at the bikini line that is easily concealed under a swimsuit. The skin is stretched downward to smoothen and adjusts the skin. If you are also in need of muscle tightening to correct a slight flab, this type of tummy tuck would be appropriate. Women who are wanting to correct the physical changes after pregnancy are ideal candidates for a mini tummy tuck.
• Extended Tummy Tuck: An extended tummy tuck is most performed for patients who need removal of significant amount of skin. This typically occurs after a massive weight loss. Your surgeon will make a single incision which will wrap around the abdomen to reach the hips. Such a large incision allows him to tighten the skin evenly down across the tummy. It can leave a larger scar than the other procedures that may be hard to hide under intimate clothing.

Post Surgery

After the tummy tuck, your incisions will be covered in bandages. Your tummy will be loosely wrapped in elastic bandages to minimize swelling. Small tubes might be placed in your abs to drain any excess blood or fluid. Some plastic surgeons may have you wear a compression sleeve for a few weeks to keep swelling down. Regular follow-up after the surgery is important in order to measure the progress.

After Care

In order to have successful long-lasting results it is important to follow the below:

• Avoid lifting heavy weight items for three to four weeks.
• Avoid physical and athletic activities that might stretch the incisions for four to eight weeks after surgery.
• Take pain medication as needed and use topical or oral antibiotics as directed to prevent wound infections.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, an irregular heartbeat or redness of the skin and a fever.
• It is important to attend your follow-up appointments in order to keep track of your progress.