Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Aging, excessive weight gain, looseness in the abdominal skin, and giving birth multiple times can lead to excessive sagging of the abdomen. If sagging in the abdomen persists despite diet and appropriate exercise, a tummy tuck may be a suitable corrective procedure. It is important to know that tummy tuck surgery is not a simple weight loss surgery. Although tummy tuck surgery is performed more frequently in women, it is also a surgery performed on men.
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a surgery performed to reduce the sagging in the abdominal area and to create a smoother abdomen by strengthening the abdominal muscles during the procedure. In this surgery, the excess part determined before the surgery is surgically removed from the abdominal area. The weak front wall of the abdomen is strengthened by a procedure called plication of the abdominal muscles. As a result, a more aesthetic and firm abdomen without sagging and excess is created. The resulting stitch mark is hidden along the bikini line, eliminating this major concern for women. It is a surgery in which patients feel very good about themselves and their self-confidence increases after achieving beautiful results.
Those who continue to have problems in the abdominal area despite diet and proper exercise, those who are not overweight, those who are not normally overweight but have a sagging and loose abdomen, those who do not have an immediate desire to become pregnant after the surgery, and those who have sagging in the abdominal area after pregnancy or frequent childbirth are suitable candidates for this surgery.
Precautions before tummy tuck surgery
- Quit smoking or reduce smoking from 1 month before surgery, as smoking significantly impairs skin nourishment after surgery. You should also avoid smoking in the early postoperative period, as smoking is a habit that significantly impairs skin nourishment.
- Blood thinners should be stopped 2 weeks before.
- If you are taking medication for hypertension, your blood sugar should be normal.
- If possible, the patient should lose weight before the surgery.
- If the patient has undergone a procedure on the abdomen before, this should be known, and the surgical strategy should be determined accordingly. There may be conditions that prevent surgery.
- The timing of tummy tuck surgery after childbirth is also important. You should lose the weight you gained during pregnancy. Since it will take about 1 year to return to your previous state, it is more appropriate to have a tummy tuck surgery after this period.
- If there is a condition such as umbilical hernia that can be repaired at the same time, it should be evaluated well. Some hernias can make the tummy tuck surgery more complicated and difficult.
Tummy tuck surgery process and post-surgery care
Tummy tuck surgery is performed in two different ways. In mini tummy tuck surgery, the navel is not touched, and the excess and sagging part in the area below the navel is surgically cut and removed, and the area is tightened. In full tummy tuck surgery, the abdomen is opened up to the navel, and the abdominal muscles are tightened in the middle with a procedure called plication. After the excess abdominal area is removed, the navel is placed in its new position, and the procedure is completed.
The surgery lasts about 4 hours and is performed under general anesthesia. When you wake up, you will see your corset and drains that allow the leakage accumulated in 2 areas of the surgery to be removed. You will stay in the hospital for 1 day. The drains will be removed after about 3 days during your control at the clinic. Since you have an aesthetic stitch with melting threads, there is no need to remove the stitches. If your surgeon deems it appropriate, you can take a bath after 10 days. For the first 10 days, you should walk leaning forward and never stretch your stitches. You should also protect your stitch lines from the sun. It is necessary to wear the corset given to you for at least 1 month. You can fly 1 week after your control. Mild bruising and swelling may occur around the stitches, which are temporary. After 1 year, your scar will become very indistinct. Special creams can be used for the scar at an appropriate time. You will be informed about this.
It is important to lie flat for the first 10 days. I do not recommend exercising for the first 3 months. After an appropriate time, only walking will be sufficient as an activity. It is very important not to strain the stitches in the early period.