Tummy tuck surgery is the surgical removal of fatty, saggy and cracked skin in the underbelly region of the abdomen. If there is relaxation and separation in the abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), these muscles are reinforced and the abdominal wall is strengthened. If there is an umbilical hernia, hernia repair is performed. If there is lubrication and sagging in the mons pubis, mons pubis aesthetics is added. If the subcutaneous adipose tissue above the belly is thick, liposuction is added here and to the waist area (waist thinning). With this operation, the appearance of a fat, curved belly, sagging abdomen and uncomfortable fat / saggy mons pubis, if any, is eliminated. It can be combined with aesthetic breast surgeries (enlargement, reduction, lifting) in selected patients who are in good health and need it.
People who will benefit from tummy tuck surgery:
Women and men who have a navel and saggy abdomen or complain of abdominal skin laxity and/or sagging are candidates for tummy tuck surgery. Birth and weight changes in women cause sagging and cracks in the abdominal skin, weakening and separation of the abdominal wall muscles (diastasis recti). Over time, the deformity of the soft tissue and muscles in the abdominal wall increases. This results in problems such as low back pain, posture disorders, rash in the fold area of the abdominal skin, and difficulty in choosing clothes. Tummy tuck surgery is especially beneficial for women who have given birth several times, have cracked and sagging abdominal skin, and weakened abdominal muscles.
Operation :
Abdominoplasty is performed under hospital conditions and under general anesthesia. Depending on the width of the surgery, the procedure takes 1-3 hours. In the surgery, two separate incisions are made around the belly button and in the lower abdomen, and the abdominal skin is released from the underlying muscles. If there is weakness/separation or hernia in the abdominal wall muscles, the abdominal wall is reinforced. The oily, saggy and cracked excess skin is cut and removed from the body. If necessary, the mons pubis stretching is performed. For pain control, a long-acting local anesthetic is infiltrated into the abdominal wall. The incisions around the belly button and in the lower abdomen are often sutured with hidden stitches and closed with dressings. Abdominal corset is worn.
Postoperative:
The patient is mobilized 3-4 hours after the operation and starts to feed by mouth. Depending on the extent of the surgery performed, it is necessary to stay in the hospital for 1-3 days. Pain that increases with movement in the abdomen is easily controlled with painkillers. Drains are removed after 1-3 days, and stitches are removed after 1-2 weeks. Employees can return to work after 10-15 days, depending on the type of job. Although the scar does not completely disappear, it can be easily hidden under a bikini. Abdominoplasty gives excellent results for patients with abdominal muscle weakness or sagging skin. With the reinforcement of weakened and/or separated muscles, an improvement in low back pain is achieved. In most patients, excellent results can be maintained for years with regular exercise and diet.
Risks of tummy tuck surgery:
Every surgical procedure has a certain amount of risk, these risks are minimized by preoperative examinations, anesthesiologist control, appropriate operating room conditions, meticulous surgery and careful follow-up in the early postoperative period (postoperative care). Early mobilization of the patient has a positive effect on recovery. Infection and delayed wound healing are rare. If there is more scar than normal, a second surgery (scar or dog ear revision) may be required. Wound healing problems are more common in smokers, diabetics and obese people. An experienced team (plastic surgeon, anesthesia, internal medicine and, if necessary, other specialties) knows about possible problems, and will ensure that the recovery period is passed smoothly by taking the necessary precautions.
Prof.Dr.Sıdıka Board Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist
