Doing sports or being at your ideal weight may sometimes be not enough to have a flat and smooth abdomen, which women and men of all ages would like to have. The most effective way to get rid of deformations, sagging and excess fat in the abdominal skin is abdominoplasty (abdominal stretching operation).
This surgery generally poses three different options from which patients can choose. In general, it is a surgical operation in which excess fat and sagging skin in the front part of the abdomen are removed and the weak abdominal muscles are stretched and strengthened.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) is the method of achieving flat tummy by removing excess abdominal skin and fatty tissue, and tightening the muscles beneath. This method also eliminates the chaps under the belly that occur in the postpartum period. Both female and male patients may have this procedure.
Tummy tuck is not a weight loss surgery, it is a contouring surgery. There should be excess skin sagging and excess fatty tissue in the abdominal tissue. Individuals with loose abdominal muscles, skin cracks under the belly, sagging and unremovable abdominal fatty tissue despite weight loss are eligible candidates. It is recommended that candidates planning pregnancy should postpone their surgery to the period after pregnancy.
A full abdominal stretch (Tummy Tuck) is a stretch between the abdominal muscle and the lower abdomen on the belly button. This method is preferred in the abdomen with severe stretch marks and sagging. Here, the belly button is regenerated.
In tummy tuck, a transverse incision is usually made at the lowest section of the abdomen (this incision is sufficiently low to hide the incision under the bathing suit) and another incision is made around the navel.
Before the operation, the patient should inform the surgeon and anesthesiologist who will perform the aesthetic surgery about all details about his/her existing medications and general health status. Stop taking blood thinner medications, herbal teas, fish oil and avoid any special herbal cure applications 1 week before surgery. As in all operations, you’re advised to stop smoking and alcohol consumption at least one week before the abdominoplasty. This is very important for a rapid healing process.
Detailed medical information will be obtained and abdominal examination will be performed. The medications, comorbidities, previous history of surgery and pregnancy will be collected. Abdominal measurements and the necessary photographing will be performed.
It is performed under general anesthesia. Anti-embolism stockings are applied. The procedure begins with a linear incision with an underwear slope that is within the bikini area, extending across the two hipbones. Excess skin and fatty tissue are removed and the abdominal muscles are tightened. The duration of surgery is 2 to 3 hours. Drains are inserted. In full tummy tuck, the belly button is removed in a round form and replaced in a new location after tummy tuck is completed. Appropriate dressings and a special corset are used.
Abdominoplasty is usually not a too painful procedure. Anesthetic medications used during the operation prevent postoperative pain. The patient may have mild pain the next day, which can be remedied with mild painkillers.
Feeding is initiated within a few hours after surgery. The patient is mobilized after the feeding. Drains are removed within a couple of days. Hospital stay for one day is required. Shower is allowed after discharge. One may get back to work within 10-14 days. A corset is consistently used for 1 month. Heavy activities and sports are allowed after 1 month.
We recommend that most patients take at least two weeks off of work and limit their physical activity for around 6 weeks. The patient is advised not to lift heavy items in the first 4-6 weeks. 3 weeks later, the patient can begin to do sports, except abdominal exercises. 6 weeks later, s/he can do all sports activities.
Liposuction is commonly performed in order to obtain a better abdominal contour. It may be performed for the abdominal tissue, both hips, love handles and back. Breast surgery may be involved in the same session based on the individual’s complaints.
There may side effects depending on the general anesthesia or surgery. Wound healing problems may occur because of the abdominal tissue will be tight. Therefore, you should be in effective communication with your doctor before and after the surgery. The incision scars will be permanent, but they will be within the underwear level and you will be given a scar treatment.
The surgery enhances self-confidence, facilitates physical activities and provides high satisfaction rates for both, men and women. Anyone ready to say good-bye to stubborn fat should consider the many benefits of a tummy tuck. As long as you manage your weight, it provides permanent results so you no longer have to struggle against wobbles and bulges. With our team at your side, you’ll enjoy a seamless procedure and recovery
If you plan to get pregnant at a time close the date of surgery, you should postpone the surgery to the period after pregnancy. Pregnancy should only be considered after complete recovery (1 year).
Isn’t it possible to solve the problem with Liposuction only?Where there is no stretch mark in the abdominal skin and in the case of minimal sagging, only liposuction can be adequate. Generally, liposuction is sufficient after the first pregnancy during which the mum-to-be has gained little weight. But after second and third pregnancies, in the case of multiple pregnancies or after pregnancy during which the mum-to-be has gained excessive weight, applying liposuction alone causes skin sagging.
Can Liposuction be performed with this surgery?Abdominal stretching operation is usually performed with liposuction. A much more effective method to apply for many patients in order to provide abdominal esthetic involves removal of excess fat in the region, then strengthening abdominal muscles and completion of abdominoplasty. However, depending on the scope of the liposuction operations to be performed in other parts of the body, your doctor may suggest completion of the liposuction operation and then performance of abdominal stretching operation in the following period.
Your doctor will mainly consider your general health status and the amount of fat planned to be removed from your body, while determining and shaping the scope of the operation.
When should I have Abdominoplasty after pregnancy?Excess skin and fat collected in the body after delivery sometimes do not return to pre-pregnancy form despite the diet and various exercises. In such cases, sagging of the belly and abdomen can be corrected by surgery no earlier than 1 year after delivery.
Will there be any scar left after Abdominoplasty?There may be a scar that can be hidden in the underwear after abdominoplasty. This scar usually diminishes over time and does not disturb patients.
What is Mini Abdominoplasty?Mini abdominoplasty is a procedure that can be preferred for people with loose skin who are not eligible for full abdominoplasty and who do not have excess weight in the abdominal region. It is especially applied to people who have given birth, whose excess fat or subcutaneous tissue have collected under the navel.
In mini abdominoplasty, the excess fat is removed from the abdomen and waist area and the extra tissue below the navel is removed and stretching is applied. The area remaining above the navel remains untouched.
Are stretch marks treated by Abdominal Stretching Operation?Abdominal loosening, stretch marks and sagging might occur in women particularly after giving birth. During abdominoplasty, most of the stretch marks particularly below the navel are resolved; some of them may remain only in some patients. However, since the patient has a flat stomach after surgery, her stretch marks, if any, will be less noticeable.
When to have sexual intercourse after having an Abdominoplasty?You’re advised to avoid sexual intercourse for at least two weeks after having an abdominoplasty.
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