What is a tummy tuck?

A  tummy  tuck, or  abdominoplasty,  removes  excess  fat  and  skin, and  in  most cases restores weakened or  separated  muscles  creating  an  abdominal  profile  that  is  smoother  and  firmer. A  flat  and  well-toned  abdomen  is  something  many  of  us  strive  for  through  exercise  and  weight  control.  Sometimes these  methods  cannot  achieve  our  goals. Even  individuals  of  other wise  normal  body  weight  and proportion  can  develop  an  abdomen  that  protrudes  or  is  loose  and  sagging.  The  most  common  causes of  this  include:

• Pregnancy

• Aging

• Significant  fluctuations  in  weight

• Heredity

• Prior  surgery

​Tummy tuck candidates

Abdominoplasty  is  a  good  option  for  you  if:

• You  are  physically  healthy  and  at  a  stable  weight

• You  have  realistic  expectations

Tummy  tuck  recovery

Following  your  surgery,  dressings  or  bandages  may  be  applied  to  your  incisions,  and  you  may  be wrapped  in  an  elastic  bandage  or  a  compression  garment  to  minimize  swelling  and  to  support  your  abdomen  as  it   heals  during  the  tummy  tuck  recovery  period.

A  small,  thin  tube  may  be  temporarily  placed  under  the  skin  to  drain  any  excess  blood  or  fluid  that may  collect  to  minimize  swelling  after  tummy  tuck  surgery.

You  will  be  given  specific  instructions  to  aid  your  abdominoplasty  recovery: how  to  care  for  the surgical  site  and  drains,  medications  to  apply  or  take  orally  to  aid  healing  and  reduce  the  potential  for  infection,  specific  concerns  to  look  for  at  the  surgical  site  or  in  your  general  health,  and  when  to follow-up  with  your  plastic  surgeon.

Be  sure  to  ask  your  plastic  surgeon  specific  questions  about  what  you  can  expect  during  your individual  abdominoplasty  recovery  period:

 

• Where  will  I  be  taken  after  my  surgery  is  complete?

• What  medication  will  I  be  given  or  prescribed  after  surgery?

• Will  I  have  dressings/bandages  after  surgery?

• When  will  they  be  removed?

• When  are  stitches  removed? 

• When  can  I  resume  normal  activity  and  exercise?

• When  do  I  return  for  follow-up  care?

 

Previous abdominal  surgery  may  limit  the  potential  results  of  a  tummy  tuck.  In  women  who  have undergone  cesarean  section,  the  existing  scars  may  often  be  incorporated  into  the  new  scar.

 

Tummy  tuck  results

Your  tummy  tuck  procedure  will  result  in  a  flatter,  firmer  abdominal  contour  that  is  more proportionate  with  your  body  type  and  weight.

The  final   results   may  be  initially  obscured   by  swelling  and  your inability   to  stand   fully  upright  until internal   healing   is   complete.

Within   a  week  or  two, you  should   be  standing  tall   and   confident   about  your  new  slimmer  profile.

 

What  happens  during  a  tummy  tuck  procedure?

What   happens  during  tummy  tuck  surgery?

 

Step 1 – Anesthesia  Medications  are  administered  for  your  comfort  during  abdominoplasty  surgery. The  choices  include  intravenous  sedation  and  general  anesthesia.  Your  doctor  will  recommend  the best  choice   for  you.

 

Step 2 – The  incision A  full  tummy  tuck  procedure  requires  a   horizontally-oriented   incision   in   the area   between   the   pubic   hairline   and  navel.  The  shape  and   length   of   the   incision   will   be  determined   by   the   degree  of   correction  necessary.  Through  this  incision,  weakened  abdominal muscles  are  repaired  and  sutured  while  excess  fat,  tissue  and  skin  is  removed. A  second  incision around   the  navel  may  be   necessary   to  remove  excess  skin  in  the  upper  abdomen.

 

Step 3 – Closing  the  incisions  Sutures,  skin  adhesives,  tapes  or  clips  close  the  skin  incisions.

 

What  to  expect  during  your  tummy  tuck  consultation

The  success  and  safety  of  your  tummy  tuck  procedure  depends  very  much  on  your  complete candidness  during  your  consultation.  You’l  be  asked  a  number  of  questions  about  your  health,  desires and   lifestyle.

 

Be   prepared   to   discuss:

• Why   you  want  the  surgery,  your  expectations  and  desired  outcome

• Medical  conditions,  drug  allergies  and  medical   treatments

• Use  of  current  medications,  vitamins,  herbal   supplements,  alcohol,  tobacco  and  drugs

• Previous  surgeries

 

Your  surgeon  may  also:

 

• Evaluate  your  general   health  status  and  any   pre-existing   health  conditions  or  risk  factors.

• Take  photographs  for  your  medical  record.

• Discuss  you r options  and  recommend  a  course  of   treatment.

• Discuss   likely  outcomes  of  the  tummy  tuck  and  any  risks  or  potential  complications​.

​

Preparing   fo r  tummy  tuck  surgery

Prior  to  surgery,  you  may  be  asked  to:

• Get  lab  testing  or  a  medical  evaluation

• Take  certain  medications  or  adjust  your  current  medications

• Stop  smoking  well  in  advance  of  surgery

• Avoid  taking  aspirin,  anti-inflammatory  drugs  and   herbal   supplements  as  they  can  increase bleeding

 

Special   instructions  you  receive  will  cover:

• What   to   do  on  the  day  of  surgery

• The  use  of  anesthesia  during  your  tummy  tuck

• Post-operative  care  and  follow-up​