Obesity and overweight are among the biggest problems of our time. Therefore, tummy tuck and liposuction procedures performed after bariatric surgery or weight loss are increasing day by day. Abdominoplasty can be applied to patients who lose weight after diet or surgery and who want to correct deformities after pregnancy. This procedure is not a weight loss method, but a body shaping surgery. Therefore, the body mass index [kg/height2(m)] should be at most 30. Patients with high this value are recommended to lose weight first.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SURGERY
Abdominoplasty usually takes about 4 hours together with the liposuction procedure. Before the operation, you should stay hungry, dehydrated and not smoke for at least 8 hours. Blood thinners should not be used. Abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. There are several tummy tuck techniques that the surgeon can use, the technique is selected according to the patient’s excess skin and adipose tissue, and it is combined with the fat removal procedure. According to the chosen technique, the patient should be told about the scar that will remain after the operation.
By applying the type of surgery chosen in accordance with the patient’s condition, excess skin and fat are removed and the abdominal muscles are closed by stitching them together. Post-operative dressing is done and a corset is worn. He or she may also place some drains to help reduce swelling and bruising. After tummy tuck surgery, you can be discharged after staying in the hospital for 2 days. After the procedure, the abdomen reaches its final state within 2-3 months.
POST-SURGERY INFORMATION
After tummy tuck surgery, it is very important for patients to act in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations. After tummy tuck surgery, patients can be discharged after being observed in the hospital for 2 days. The sutures applied in the operation are removed in at least 3 weeks. Compression stockings are worn during surgery and until walking. Standing in a slightly bent position by bending at the waist for 1 week while walking prevents stretching of the stitches. While in the hospital after surgery, patients should start taking light walks as soon as possible to reduce the risk of blood clots. Those at high risk can be given blood thinners after 24 hours. Patients should wait at least 72 hours to take a shower after the operation, but the situation may differ according to wound healing. Scar-reducing cream and silicone bands can be used to help heal scars and prevent stitches. After the operation, patients cannot do activities that will increase intra-abdominal pressure for 6 weeks. It is obligatory to wear a corset for at least 1 month.
RISKS
Abdominoplasty, like all surgical operations, has some risks and it is very important for patients to be aware of these risks before surgery. Tummy tuck surgery includes possible risks that can be seen in all surgeries, such as blood clot formation, vomiting and nausea, blood loss, infection and anesthesia problems. Risks are divided into early and late risks. Early risks are pain, bleeding, clotting, wound problems. Late complications are asymmetry, irregularities and seroma. During the tummy tuck procedure, there may be some deterioration in blood flow in certain areas, which may result in a loss of blood flow to the skin, fat, and tissues. This risk is higher in smokers and those with vascular disease. There may be temporary numbness of the abdominal skin. The shape of the belly button may be distorted.
