What Is A Tummy Tuck Surgery
Tummy Tuck, also known as Abdominoplasty, is a body contouring plastic surgery. Most of the time, it’s confused with a weight loss surgery, but it is essentially a body contouring surgery where the loose skin around the abdomen is tightened. To be more specific, this surgical procedure aims to tighten the abdominal muscle wall and eliminate wrinkles, sags, and skin appendages by tightening the skin in the abdomen and waist.
Skin saggings around the abdomen area may occur after losing a significant amount of weight. This weight loss may be the result of either after pregnancies or by following a strict diet and exercises, having a weight loss surgery or liposuction. Sometimes, the Tummy Tuck surgery can be combined with liposuction if your plastic surgeon approves. With this combined procedure, it is possible to have a tighter abdomen area.
There are two ways to conduct Tummy Tuck cosmetic surgery. These are:
- Partial Abdominoplasty, also referred to as a mini tummy tuck, focuses solely on the lower abdomen below the belly button, ideal for addressing skin laxity and minor fat deposits in that area. Unlike a full abdominoplasty, which addresses both upper and lower abdomen, partial abdominoplasty primarily aims at tightening the skin, with less emphasis on repairing the abdominal muscles.
One notable advantage of partial abdominoplasty is its ability to eliminate cesarean scars, and since the procedure is centered around the belly button, visible scarring is minimal.
- Full Abdominoplasty, also known as a complete abdominoplasty, involves treating both the upper and lower abdomen. This comprehensive procedure not only addresses excess skin and fat but also tightens the underlying abdominal muscles. Additionally, full abdominoplasty may incorporate liposuction to further sculpt the abdominal area, providing a more toned appearance.
CANDIDATES FOR TUMMY TUCK
Many individuals aspire to undergo tummy tuck surgery, but eligibility criteria must be met. Potential candidates include:
- Individuals with fatty deposits or skin protrusions in the abdominal region.
- Those within their ideal weight range, with body fat comprising no more than 30% of their average weight.
- Women experiencing stretch marks or cesarean scars resulting from pregnancy.
- Individuals with loose skin in the abdominal area following significant weight loss.
- Those without underlying health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or immunodeficiency.
Abdominoplasty is a procedure aimed at tightening abdominal muscles and the abdominal wall, rather than facilitating weight loss.
Pre-Tummy Tuck Surgery Tips
There are many tips to follow before undergoing tummy tuck surgery to get the desired results. They are as follows:
- Ensure to do good research and have the surgery with a board certified plastic surgeon.
- Refrain from having any blood thinners such as alcohol, green tea, or vitamin combinations, for they contain vitamin E and vitamin A to avoid bleeding during the surgery.
- Refrain from having stimulants such as caffeine or Arabic coffee because the patient who drinks stimulants is difficult to be anesthetized.
- Stop having medications that cause blood dilution for a week before the surgery.
- Make sure to eat healthy and balanced for a sufficient period before the tummy tuck surgery to avoid complications during the operation.
- Refrain from smoking for a month since it affects oxygen levels in the blood, reducing the required rate of oxygen in the blood, which is needed for recovery. Keep in mind that it is better to get a tummy tuck surgery if you are not planning future pregnancies.
Stages Of Tummy Tuck
Tummy Tuck, or Abdominoplasty, is conducted through a set of stages, which are summarized as follows:
First Stage: Conduction Clinical Examinations — The plastic surgeon examines the abdomen and waist area and explains all the procedures necessary to obtain a tightened abdomen.
Second Stage: Conduction of the Necessary Tests — Blood tests are conducted to identify sugar levels to ensure that a person is free from diseases that hinder the tummy tuck surgery, such as hypertension, diabetes, or immunodeficiency.
Third Stage: Preparing the Patient — The medical team sterilizes the abdominal area, and then the anesthesiologist anesthetizes the patient with general anesthesia.
Fourth Stage: Breaking Down Fat — In the surgeries where the abdominoplasty is combined with liposuction, the surgeon breaks down the fat in the abdomen and waist areas, which is then suctioned by liposuction.
Fifth Stage: Tightening the Abdominal Wall — The doctor makes a simple incision to tighten the abdominal wall and stretch muscles to get a drawn belly wall.
Sixth Stage: Bandaging —The doctor puts a fixed rubber band, called a bandage, to reduce swelling.
Post-Tummy Tuck Surgery Tips
Following surgery, the surgeon provides crucial instructions that the patient must strictly adhere to in order to achieve optimal results from their tummy tuck and ensure a healthy recovery process. Some of these instructions include:
- Continuously wear a medical abdominal corset for a period of eight weeks to facilitate reduction of swelling and expedite the healing process.
- Avoid engaging in strenuous activities or intense exercise for up to two months.
- Abstain from smoking for two months post-surgery to avoid compromising the recovery process.
- Refrain from lifting heavy objects for a duration of eight weeks to prevent tissue damage.
- Avoid using moisturizing creams on the abdomen and waist to prevent potential allergic reactions.
- Follow the specific curved sleeping position prescribed by the doctor based on the patient’s individual condition.
- Avoid lying flat and instead maintain a recommended posture during sleep.
- Women should refrain from becoming pregnant following the tummy tuck procedure.
- Avoid swimming for a minimum of two months.
- Take care not to remove the drain for at least one week to facilitate proper drainage of fluids from the abdominal area.