What is tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)?
If you’ve lost a lot of weight or recently had a baby, you may be bothered by loose skin around your belly. A tummy tuck may be a solution for an abdominal appearance that doesn’t improve despite rigorous exercise and diet. Abdominoplasty is a commonly performed cosmetic surgery to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen. It can be difficult to trim the midsection with diet and exercise. Therefore, a tummy tuck helps to shape the midsection for a tighter, more contoured appearance.
What causes skin to appear saggy?
Skin can sag and lose its natural elasticity and firmness due to:
- Weight loss
- Pregnancy
- Aging
- Previous abdominal surgery
- Heredity
Can I get rid of saggy skin with diet and exercise?
Eating right and being active can help you lose weight, but it can’t fix sagging skin. That’s where abdominoplasty comes in.
Still, all the effort you put into eating well and exercising is worth it. In addition to providing the foundation for a healthy lifestyle, it will maximize the final aesthetic result of the surgery and preserve your new contours so you don’t need another procedure in the future.
Who is a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
The following characteristics are generally sought in people who are eligible for abdominoplasty:
- Have good general health
- Have a stable weight
- Do not plan to get pregnant anytime soon
- Have realistic expectations for the procedure
What are the benefits of a tummy tuck?
The benefits of the procedure include:
- Reduces excess skin in your abdominal area.
- Tightens weak muscles.
- Achieve your personal aesthetic goals.
- Feel more confident about your appearance.
Everyone has a different, often personal, reason for having this procedure. The benefits can vary from person to person.
What are the types of tummy tuck surgery?
There are different abdominoplasty options that your surgeon may recommend to help you achieve your goals:
Full tummy tuck: Your surgeon makes an incision in your lower abdomen, above your groin area. The length of the incision varies depending on the amount of excess skin present.
Mini tummy tuck: Mini abdominoplasty usually requires a shorter incision and is common if you have less excess skin. The incision is between your belly button and your lower abdomen. There is usually no incision around your belly button in mini abdominoplasty.
Circumferential (extended) tummy tuck: This surgery involves the front and back areas. Your surgeon will make a longer incision in these areas.
Fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty: For this procedure, your plastic surgeon makes an incision up and down (vertically) and side to side (horizontal) in your abdomen. This incision creates a “T” shape. This is a procedure that is usually performed on people who have lost 100 pounds (45 kilograms) or more.
How should I prepare for surgery?
Before your surgery, your surgeon will ask about the following:
- Your general health
- Your health history
- Previous surgeries
- Current medications
- Your goals and expectations for the procedure
After your surgeon learns more about you, he or she will explain which abdominoplasty options are best for your condition. Before and after photos of your abdomen will be taken to compare.
Smoking can increase your risk of complications and delay healing. If you smoke, you will need to quit for a period of time determined by your doctor. For example, you may need to stop using tobacco products for at least one month before and at least two weeks after your surgery.
Your surgeon will also recommend that you eat a balanced and complete diet leading up to and after your procedure. Eating well will help your body heal.
As part of your preoperative consultation, your surgeon may tell you to stop taking certain blood-thinning medications and dietary supplements for a certain period of time before and after surgery. This includes aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). Do not stop taking any medications unless your doctor approves.
How is the operation performed?
The operation takes between one and five hours, depending on the technique used, and is performed under general anesthesia. The steps of the procedure vary depending on which type your surgeon performs, but are generally as follows:
Your surgeon will
- make an incision in your abdominal skin.
- pull down the upper abdominal skin.
- remove excess skin.
- create an opening and replace your belly button.
- insert drainage tubes to drain excess fluid.
- close the incision site and cover it with bandages.
What is the process after abdominoplasty?
There is usually some pain in the area immediately after abdominoplasty. Your doctor will advise you on which types of painkillers are safe for your discomfort. Your surgeon will also tell you the best way to sit or lie down to minimize pain and will give you special instructions to follow after surgery to help you heal.
You will need to limit your activities after surgery. If you are very physically active, you will need to postpone strenuous exercise for 4 to 6 weeks. Your surgeon will advise you on this during your recovery. You may need to take at least one week off work after surgery.
You will also need to wear a bandage and a supportive garment for two to three weeks after surgery.
Your surgeon will advise you on ways to minimize scarring. During surgery, your surgeon will make incisions in areas of your body that you can easily hide with clothing or in less noticeable areas. Scars usually fade over time, but some may remain enlarged.
What is the recovery period after the operation?
It can take up to three months to see results. Also, the scar will continue to heal for up to a year. You will usually see immediate improvement after surgery, but the results will continue to improve as the swelling subsides over the next few months.
It is normal to feel discomfort for the first week. You should start to feel better after a few weeks. Bruising and numbness are common during this time. You may feel a tightness or pulling sensation around your abdomen as you heal. This is usually temporary.
If you notice any complications or have problems such as severe pain, excessive bleeding, swelling, or fluid or pus leaking from the incision, you should let your doctor know.
Are there any complications of the operation?
A tummy tuck is generally a safe procedure, but as with any surgery, there are risks. Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you during your consultation so you can make an informed decision about your health.
Complications of the procedure may include:
- Scarring
- Bleeding
- Pain and swelling
- Infection
- Seroma (fluid buildup)
- Poor wound healing
- Blood clots
- Numbness or changes in sensation
- Asymmetric (uneven) healing
- Extended, prominent scar
Your risk of complications may increase if you have an underlying health condition that affects your blood circulation or wound healing, or if you smoke.
What is reverse tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and who can benefit from it?
Reverse abdominoplasty is chosen for those who have loose excess skin in the upper abdomen, usually without a complete separation affecting the lower abdominal contour, and who may have excess fat in the lower abdomen without excess skin.
It can also be used as a secondary procedure for women who have had a previous abdominoplasty with good results but over time have maintained their lower abdominal results but have become loose in the upper abdomen and have become overweight due to weight changes, sun exposure and, of course, gravity. Excess skin can be removed to give the entire abdomen a nice, tight appearance.
The technique is to start with incisions that follow the lower breast crease and then cross the lower sternum, connecting both sides of the abdomen. These scars are usually very well hidden, even in two-piece swimsuits. The full thickness skin is raised along the abdomen, preserving vital blood flow on either side of the belly button. This can be done if the superior rectus muscles need tightening. Any excess abdominal fat can also be corrected with liposuction at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Abdominoplasty
Why should I have realistic expectations?
The results of a tummy tuck are usually permanent. However, changes in your weight over time can affect the outcome of the procedure. Abdominoplasty does not prevent weight gain. If you are in the process of reaching your ideal weight, your doctor may want you to have a stable weight before the procedure.
Can I have abdominoplasty if I am planning to get pregnant?
It is possible to get pregnant after surgery. However, this can cause the skin and abdominal muscles to stretch again. Therefore, it is recommended that people considering pregnancy discuss this issue thoroughly with their surgeon.
Can I get rid of stretch marks with abdominoplasty?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for stretch marks. However, if your stretch marks are located in the area where excess skin was removed, the appearance may disappear partially or completely.
How permanent are the results of the operation?
The results of tummy tuck surgery are mostly permanent. However, you need to adjust your lifestyle habits such as healthy eating and exercise to maintain the results. Weight fluctuations and pregnancy can affect the results.
When can I return to my normal activities after the operation?
You will need to limit your activities for a period deemed appropriate by your doctor after the operation. If you are physically very active, you will need to postpone strenuous exercises for 4 to 6 weeks. Your specialist will advise you on this during the recovery process. You will need to take at least one week off from work after the operation.
When should I go to the hospital after the operation?
If you experience any complications after surgery, such as:
- Severe pain
- Excessive bleeding
- Swelling
- Fluid or pus leaking from the incision site
What is the difference between a tummy tuck and other plastic surgery procedures?
A tummy tuck flattens and smooths your stomach area by removing excess fat and skin and tightening your abdominal muscles. The following procedures are often confused with a tummy tuck:
Liposuction: performed to remove fat deposits. Your surgeon may choose to perform liposuction as part of the tummy tuck procedure.
Panniculectomy: A panniculectomy removes loose skin and fat from your lower abdomen. This procedure does not tighten muscles, move your belly button, or remove fullness in your upper abdomen.
What other procedures can be combined with a tummy tuck?
If your health allows, a tummy tuck can be combined with other procedures. The aesthetic procedures that are often performed together with abdominoplasty are:
- Liposuction
- Breast lift
- Breast augmentation
- Arm and leg lift
When these procedures are performed after pregnancy, they are also called Mommy Makeovers. When you combine the procedures, you can get through the recovery process in one go. You can also reduce the overall cost of the operation by combining the procedures.
Sources:
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS)
- Cleveland Clinic
- Yale Medicine
- Better Health Channel