What is Abdominoplasty?
Medically ‘abdominoplasty’ Tummy tuck surgery is a major surgery that involves removing excess skin and fat tissue from the middle and lower abdomen and restoring the abdominal wall muscles. With this procedure, the appearance of the sagging abdomen is corrected and an aesthetic appearance is gained.
Who Are the Suitable Candidates for Abdominoplasty?
The most suitable candidates for this surgery are men and women who are in good shape and have complaints of excess abdominal fat and skin laxity that cannot be eliminated by diet or exercise.
Abdominoplasty is particularly helpful for women whose abdominal skin and muscles have become too deformed to return to normal after several pregnancies. Some loss of skin elasticity ‘obesity’This surgery also gives good results in older patients with (= adiposity) complaints.
Patients planning to lose weight significantly should postpone surgery. At the same time, women who are considering getting pregnant in the future; Since the abdominal muscles tightened during the surgery may loosen with pregnancy, they should wait after pregnancy to have the surgery. If you have scars due to previous abdominal surgeries, your doctor may advise you not to have surgery or warn you that there will be more scars than usual.
Abdominoplasty will improve your appearance and self-confidence. Before deciding on surgery, review your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
During the first visit, your surgeon will explain specific details about your situation, such as the surgical technique to be used, anesthesia, whether the surgery is in the hospital or Onep Operating Rooms, and what this surgery can realistically accomplish.
Preoperative Evaluation:
In your first meeting, your surgeon will review your health status, determine the degree of fat deposition in the abdomen and your ‘tonus’ (=elasticity) will measure. If you are a smoker or take a drug or vitamin, please tell your doctor.
Be open when discussing your expectations with your doctor.
If your fat storage is localized only in the underbelly area; your surgeon will tell you less complex surgery and usually ‘outpatient’ A procedure called a ‘partial abdominoplasty’ or a ‘mini tummy tuck’, which is done on a regular basis (= without hospitalization), may be more appropriate. On the other hand, besides a partial or complete abdominoplasty ‘liposuction’ (= oil absorption) you can have a better contour. Sometimes the best results are obtained with liposuction alone.
In all circumstances, your surgeon will endeavor to choose the procedure that is right for you and will produce the best result, in your opinion.
What Kind of Preparations Should Be Made Before Abdominoplasty?
For pre-operative preparation, your surgeon will give you some special instructions, including points such as eating, drinking, smoking, taking or not taking certain medications and vitamins.
If you smoke, you should not smoke for at least 2 weeks before surgery and at least 2 weeks after surgery. You should avoid being in the sun for a long time (especially in your abdomen) before the operation. In addition, you should not apply an intense diet program before the surgery, excessive diet may reduce the healing potential. Surgery can be delayed in the presence of a cold or any infection.
While preparing, do not forget to arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery and help you for a few days if needed.
Which Type of Anesthesia is Used in Abdominoplasty?
Your doctor may choose general anesthesia, which you will be asleep during the entire operation, or local anesthesia combined with a sedative drug that calms you. In this state you will be awake but relaxed; your abdomen will be insensitive to pain.
K How Long Does the Abdominal Lifting Surgery Take?
Total abdominoplasty usually takes 2 to 5 hours, depending on the procedure required.
Partial abdominoplasty may take 1-2 hours.
What kind of a surgical method is used in Abdominoplasty?
An incision line is often used that runs just above the groin from one hip bone to the opposite hip bone. A second incision is made around the navel to free the navel from the surrounding tissues. In mini abdominoplasty, the incision is shorter and the navel may not be relocated.
The abdominal skin is then completely lifted over the lower abdominal muscles up to the edge of the ribs. Abdominal muscles are strengthened by bringing them together; thus, a tighter abdominal wall and a thinner waistline are obtained.
The skin lifted from the abdomen is stretched downwards; and the excess skin is cut off. A new hole is made for the navel in the stretched abdominal skin, and the navel, which has been liberated with its handle, is placed here and sutured. After all, the incision lines are sutured; It is covered with dressings and a temporary thin tube may be placed at the wound site to drain any excess fluid that may collect.
In total abdominoplasty, a new hole is made for the navel. Both incisions are closed with sutures.
In mini abdominoplasty, the skin is removed only in the area between the incision line and the navel. The skin is pulled down, the excess skin is cut off, the incision line is sutured.
Does Abdominoplasty Carry Any Risks?
Thousands of abdominoplasty surgeries are successfully performed in the world every year.
Results are almost always positive when performed by a competent plastic surgeon with sufficient experience to correct body contours.
Since smoking increases the risk of complications and delays healing; Smokers are advised to quit smoking. You can reduce these risks by strictly following your surgeon’s recommendations (especially those regarding physical activity), both preoperatively and postoperatively.
What Should Be Done After Abdominoplasty?
In the first few days after the surgery, there will be tissue swelling in your abdomen; You may experience discomfort and pain that can be controlled with painkillers. Depending on the extent of the surgical procedure, you can be sent home after a few hours or stay in the hospital for a few days.
Your doctor will give you instructions on how to wash and change your clothes. You are expected to start walking as soon as possible.
After the surgery, you will need to use a corset that your doctor will recommend to you for a while.
How Does Healing Happen After Abdominoplasty?
If you have a good physical condition, your recovery after abdominoplasty will be very fast thanks to your strong abdominal muscles. Some start work after two weeks, while others may need to rest for 3-4 weeks.
Exercises will help you heal better. Even people who have never exercised before; begin an exercise program to reduce tissue swelling, reduce the likelihood of blood clots, and restore muscle tone. Excessive exercise should be avoided in the early period. This issue should be discussed with your doctor.
During the first 3 to 6 months, your scars may seem to get worse as they heal, but this is normal. You need to wait 9 months – 1 year for your scars to flatten and fade. Although they do not fade completely, abdominal scars are invisible under many garments, even swimsuits and bikinis.
What Kind of Changes Does the Patient Observe in Himself After Abdominoplasty?
Whether partial or total, abdominoplasty works great for people with weakened abdominal muscles and loose skin. Post-surgery, the patient will have a flatter, thinner abdomen. Scars are permanent but fade over time.
In many cases, the results are very long lasting if a balanced diet and a regular exercise program are followed. If you are realistic in your expectations and are prepared for permanent scarring and a long recovery period, ‘abdominoplasty’ may be the answer for you.
