What is a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical solution to a saggy, slack tummy area. The procedure is aimed at patients who are not happy with the look of their abdomen and feel that excess skin or minor fat reserves are ruining the aesthetic appearance of their tummy.

During the tummy tuck excess skin and some fat tissue are removed and the underlying abdominal muscles and connective tissue is tightened. In most cases, tummy tucks are performed on women left with lost elasticity in their abdominal skin following pregnancy or on patients who have lost a considerable amount of weight and are suffering from a lot of excess skin. People who have undergone weight-loss surgery, such as lap-band, gastric sleeve or gastric bypass are often excellent candidates for an abdominoplasty. The hanging skin can interfere with normal activities of daily living and even cause rashes and infections. In some cases, patients who are not able to lose the last few stubborn pounds also request tummy tucks.

Tummy tucks are sometimes paired with liposuction procedures to achieve a more dramatic effect. The abdominoplasty procedure is a great solution to patients looking to drastically improve the appearance of their tummy but one major drawback of the tummy tuck is that most patients will be left with a visible and relatively long scar.

Procedure – Step by Step

Before any abdominoplasty surgery the plastic surgeon will assess if the patient is a good candidate for the procedure. Women who wish to become pregnant in the future are generally advised to wait with the tummy tuck as the abdominal muscles that are tightened during the procedure stretch considerably at the time of pregnancy. Also, obese patients who are planning to lose a lot of weight are advised to wait until their BMI reaches a healthy number.

Although it is possible to perform a tummy tuck using local anesthetic, most plastic surgeons and anesthesiologists advise patients to undergo general anesthesia. A complete tummy tuck takes anything between 3-5 hours in the operating theatre to complete while partial abdominoplasty (mini tummy tuck) can be performed in 1-2 hours.

During a complete abdominoplasty the surgeon makes an incision from hip bone to hip bone, right at the bottom of the tummy. The skin is then separated from the underlying abdominal muscles and connecting tissue and in most cases the surgeon will make a further incision to free the belly button. The abdominal muscles and connecting tissues are then tightened to help flatten the abdomen.

After the reshaping of the underlying structure the surgeon removes any excess skin and repositions the belly button to fit in with the patient’s newly reshaped abdominal area. After closing up, a pressure bandage may be applied and drains can be put in to let out any liquid build up. The drains generally stay several days following surgery after which they are removed.
Mini tummy tucks are most often performed on patients whose fat deposits are sitting right under the naval. In this procedure the belly button might not need to be moved and the incision is smaller than in a complete tummy tuck.

If the patient is in good health then they generally are well enough to go home a few hours following surgery. Most patients will experience some discomfort and bruising after surgery. The recovery itself can take anything between one and four weeks, depending on the nature and extent of the surgery and the patient’s individual condition.

Surgeons usually advise to take time off work during the recovery period. Since there is an incision involved in the surgery, patients should take into consideration that this takes time to heal, the scar left by the incision will look red at first but upon full recovery (usually 6-12 months) the scar will fade into a very thin line.

Tummy tucks give excellent, instantly visible results that can last a long time. A healthy diet and exercise can help to keep the tummy area looking its best for longer. It is also suggested to give up smoking at least a month before and after surgery as this can have an impact on the recovery process.

Risks and Complications

Abdominoplasty is considered to be a relatively low risk procedure. However, it is important to remind prospective patients of possible complications. These can include infection, the accumulation of fluid, the formation of blood clots, the risk from the anesthesia, loss of feeling in the tummy area, scarring or scars healing slower than expected as well as persistent pain.