Procedure
Before the surgery
- If you have any plans for weight loss, you should perform it before the surgery. Significant weight loss after the procedure can spoil your results.
- In initial consultation with your surgeon talk about your desired results.
- Stop smoking for 2 weeks prior to the surgery and 2 weeks after that
- Take a shower before your surgery. Do not apply anything to your body like lotions, perfumes, and deodorants.
- Follow the surgeon’s instructions about when to stop eating and drinking before the surgery.
- Arrange someone to drive you home after the surgery and stay with you for the first night .
During the surgery
- The area of surgery is often marked to make sure there is no error.
- During the abdominoplasty, two incisions will be made, one from the hip bone on one side to another side, close to the pubic area, and one around the navel (belly button).
- Your plastic surgeon removes most of the skin and fat between the belly button and pubic hair in a horizontal oval or elliptical shape and then will re-position the skin around the belly button. Belly button will be brought out through a small incision and sutured in its normal position. The incision from hip to hip above the pubic hair will be stitched together and will leave a minimal scar that falls along the natural crease within the bikini line.
After the surgery
- You will get your instructions from the surgeon or assistant till your follow-up sessions.
- You have to wear an abdominal compression garment for a time.
- You have to care for incisions, drain tubes and your scars during recovery.
- You will be instructed about how to lie, eat and everything.
- Avoid heavy physical activity for at least six weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get the best results from abdominoplasty surgery?
Make sure to maintain a healthy lifestyle to achieve the best results after all body contouring procedures including a tummy tuck.
What is the difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction?
A tummy tuck is more suitable for patients with a protruding abdomen caused due to excess fat deposit, loose skin, and muscle laxity. Liposuction is recommended for just fat removal, but tightening of underlying muscles and removing the excess skin to provide a flatter abdomen can only be achieved through tummy tuck surgery.
Are tummy tuck results are permanent?
Yes! If you can maintain your weight over time, abdominoplasty is typically performed once and done! There is no need to do it again. Over the decades, your skin will age a bit, but it mostly never gets back to the looseness, you experienced before tummy tuck surgery.
Is abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) painful?
There are discomfort and mild pain for several days after abdominoplasty surgery which will be reduced with pain killers.
Which one do I need? A full tummy tuck or just a mini tummy tuck (a smaller incision) or just liposuction?
There is not just one way of abdominal shaping. There is a variety of approaches depending on your condition. If your skin is relatively tight, then you’d better do a reduced scar approach, such as liposuction, an endoscopic abdominoplasty, or a mini-abdominoplasty. But, if there is a lot of loose skin that needs to be tightened, there will be a need for a longer scar and full tummy tuck.
Is abdominoplasty combined with other procedures?
An experienced plastic surgeon may perform a tummy tuck surgery together with liposuction, breast procedures or other surgeries. A tummy tuck is often a part of a mommy makeover procedure.
Can I flatten the tummy with exercise?
IIn the case of having loosened abdominal skin and weakened abdominal muscles have your situation may not change with diet and exercise. In this situation, a tummy tuck is the most effective procedure.