Tummy Tuck: Procedure, Recovery & Everything in Between
Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is one of the most common treatment plans for individuals with excess fat in the abdomen, excess skin, sagging, and similar problems for various reasons. Although it can be seen in both genders, looseness and sagging in the abdominal region are frequently seen, especially in women and in the post-pregnancy period.With the tummy tuck procedure, the skin can be stretched and given a smooth appearance with the help of a simple operation. In this way, the sagging skin appearance is eliminated, excess fat is removed, and the abdominal region is flattened. Here is everything you need to know about the tummy tuck operation, the approximate cost of tummy tuck, and the recovery progress.
After pregnancy, an undesirable appearance occurs with the loosening of the connective tissue in the abdominal wall, the protrusion of the abdominal wall, the appearance of bloating, and cracks in the abdomen. It is often not possible to completely destroy this image and regain the old appearance of the abdominal region with the help of exercise and diet.In a tummy tuck procedure, which solves this problem with a single operation, the loosened and sagging abdominal skin is recovered, and the excess fat concentrated in this area is removed, allowing the person to have a flat stomach in a short time. As with any operation, there are some risks of complications that may occur after a tummy tuck. Bleeding and infection are the most important ones that need to be addressed immediately. This is why sudden movements should be avoided after surgery, and the dressings should be renewed regularly.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
Before diving into how the procedure is done and the recovery times, defining the tummy tuck meaning is essential. A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a kind of plastic surgery operation. It is one of the most effective methods among the types of surgery applied in the fields of abdominal aesthetics. Especially after the pregnancy period, the muscles and skin in the abdominal region cannot return to their original form. As a result, deformations can occur in the abdomen, and the sagging belly part leads to an aesthetically unpleasant appearance. The level of deformation is much higher in pregnancies resulting in excessive weight gain and in women who have given birth more than twice.
After pregnancy, an undesirable appearance occurs with the loosening of the connective tissue in the abdominal wall, the protrusion of the abdominal wall, the appearance of bloating, and cracks in the abdomen. It is often not possible to completely destroy this image and regain the old appearance of the abdominal region with the help of exercise and diet.In a tummy tuck procedure, which solves this problem with a single operation, the loosened and sagging abdominal skin is recovered, and the excess fat concentrated in this area is removed, allowing the person to have a flat stomach in a short time. As with any operation, there are some risks of complications that may occur after a tummy tuck. Bleeding and infection are the most important ones that need to be addressed immediately. This is why sudden movements should be avoided after surgery, and the dressings should be renewed regularly.How Is a Tummy Tuck Performed?
The area where the skin will be removed is decided in the light of the detailed examination and careful consideration of radiation images. The saggy and cracked part of the skin is removed by the line drawn sideways across the belly, and the skin above the belly button is stretched downwards. The belly button is also reconstructed in order to bring it into the proper position. In addition to sagging and looseness, if there is an excessive lubrication problem, the excess fat in the abdomen is removed by a method called liposuction.Thanks to the sutures placed on the abdominal wall membranes, the loosened abdominal muscles are tightened and can regain their former hardness. The incisions at the end of the surgery are sutured with aesthetic sutures to prevent the formation of unpleasant tummy tuck scars. After the operation, abdominal sagging, looseness, and cracked skin problems are almost completely eliminated. However, in the event of a re-pregnancy and delivery after the surgery, some of these problems may reoccur.How Long Does the Tummy Tuck Surgery Take?
The duration of a tummy tuck surgery varies from person to person. A full tummy tuck surgery, called total abdominoplasty, takes approximately 3-3.5 hours, but the operation time can be up to 4 hours in people with a larger abdomen. In mini tummy tuck surgeries performed in patients with milder looseness, the operation time is shorter and is completed within a span of 1-1.5 hours. The operation is performed under general anesthesia and must be performed in a hospital environment with appropriate conditions and equipment. Usually, tummy tuck for men and women have a similar ongoing process and duration.