Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is the correction of stubborn adipose tissue and sagging skin structure that cannot be removed despite diet and exercise with cosmetic surgery. During abdominoplasty, excess skin and adipose tissue is removed and the abdominal connective tissue is tightened with sutures, thus, a tense and flat stomach is achieved. These operations are generally preferred by those with excessive fat in the belly area, by those with sagging abdominal skin and by those with a weak abdominal wall.
Loss of elasticity of the skin in the abdominal region and the reasons that cause excessive fat deposition in this region can be listed as excess weight gain and loss, post-pregnancy or age-related deformations, body type, and some abdominal surgeries. No matter how much diet and exercise this type of patients do, they cannot remove the deformation in the abdominal region.
With tummy tuck, in addition to removing the fat in the abdomen, cracks in the region under the belly button are eliminated and the sagging skin formed here is corrected.
This operation should be decided after weight loss with diet and after ideal weight has been achieved. Because abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure. During tummy tuck only stubborn adipose tissue in this area is removed.
Also, for patients who want to have children, abdominoplasty should be postponed after delivery. Because your vertical muscles will be tightened during abdominoplasty and these muscles can be separated during pregnancy.
Tummy tuck is also not recommended for those with serious chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, smokers and those who have previously had some abdominal surgery. In addition, for patients with a body mass index over thirty, tummy tuck is recommended after dieting and achieving ideal weight.
Before deciding on this surgery, which is suitable for both women and men, it is important to consult with your physician about which tummy tuck surgery you will have, whether you have the necessary conditions for surgery, and the risk and recovery process.
Partial or mini tummy tuck is a less invasive procedure. It is a more suitable method for patients with partial fat deposition only under the belly button, i.e. in the lower part of the abdomen. The belly button is usually not displaced during this surgery. The recovery period is shorter and the operation can be performed with a smaller incision.
The procedure is applied to all parts of the abdomen in complete tummy tuck. A tense abdomen will be achieved by shaping the skin, tissues and muscles. Since excess skin tissue will be removed, your belly button will be relocated to a position where it will look natural. A larger incision scar will occur compared to a mini tummy tuck. These cut marks in the bikini area are permanent, but will fade over time and look like a pink line. This operation can take between two and five hours. Abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia.
In tummy tuck, the recovery period may vary from two weeks to two months. The patient should avoid strenuous activity for a while and not carry heavy loads that may damage the abdominal muscles. The patient may be asked to wear a corset (abdominal binder) for a while after the surgery. This corset will prevent fluid accumulation as well as support the abdominal muscles. Swelling in the surgical area is normal. It is recommended to use painkillers for a while for the pains that may occur.
Abdominoplasty will give long-lasting results, provided that the patient pays attention to weight gain or loss. The patient should follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
