Abdominoplasty, or a "tummy tuck" as it is colloquially known, is a form of cosmetic surgery designed to remove excessive fat deposits, remove flabby skin and tighten loose muscles in the abdomen. It is a major surgical procedure not to be undertaken lightly.
Candidates for Tummy Tuck
Individuals in good overall health are the best candidates for
tummy tuck surgery, and the surgery is ideal for those who used to be obese or pregnant and now have excess fat or loose skin or muscles in their belly. Individuals who still plan to lose weight or bear children should not undergo this procedure.
In addition, tummy tuck is a major surgery and so individuals who are unwilling or unable to go for several weeks without smoking, who do not wish to have permanent scars, who have a low tolerance for pain, or who are not prepared for many weeks of disability should avoid this surgery. Many insurers will not cover elective surgery, so the financial burden of this procedure must also be considered.
Types of Abdominoplasty
There are two types of tummy tucks: complete abdominoplasty and partial or mini-abdominoplasty. Complete abdominoplasty involves an incision from hip to hip just above the thighs, permitting the surgeon major access to manipulate and contour the skin and muscles. The belly button will have a new opening from this procedure, as it is necessary to separate the navel from surrounding tissue. The surgery can last five hours and may or may not also involve
liposuction.
Partial abdominoplasty involves smaller incisions and does not always require separation of the navel. Some procedures are done with an endoscope, further reducing incisions and yielding smaller scars. Partial abdominoplasty is suitable for individuals whose fat deposits are below the navel. This procedure lasts about two hours.
Individuals who intend to have a tummy tuck need to eat well, remain smoke-free for a couple of weeks before and after the procedure, and may be required to stop taking certain medications for a period of time.
After Tummy Tuck
After surgery, strenuous exercise will have to be avoided for at least six weeks. Patients may need to take up to a month off work. Your
cosmetic surgeon will have advice on how to manage the post-operative pain and swelling, and will have further advice on how to speed healing and reduce some of the scarring. Most people love the new look they have after this procedure, but individuals must be prepared for the significant nature of the operation.