Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Aging, loss of skin elasticity, rapid weight loss, deformations occurring in the body after pregnancy for many different reasons, such as removing fat and skin excess formed in the abdomen, abdominal appearance is an aesthetic operation performed in order to flatten and tighten. It is also called abdominoplasty.

With a tummy tuck operation, the connective tissue and muscles in the abdominal area are tightened, excess skin is removed, and the skin is repositioned and structured in the form of a flat abdomen. Tummy tuck surgery can be performed alone or at the same time in combination with other cosmetic surgeries. This surgery is not a weight loss surgery. It is an operation performed to remove sagging and shape the body. In order to be a suitable candidate for this operation, you must be at or close to the ideal weight.

What Is Tummy Tuck Aesthetics?

It is a plastic surgery in which excess fat and sagging skin found in the abdominal wall are removed, the muscles in this part are tightened and the abdominal area is flattened. Tummy tuck surgery is performed according to the needs of the person. Depending on the amount of skin and fat, it is performed as a mini or full tummy tuck operation. The operation is performed according to the expectations and needs of the patients, as well as the overall health status. The operation, which makes it possible to have a flat and shaped abdomen, is one of the most preferred aesthetic operations by both women and men worldwide. This surgery, which allows you to freely choose clothes and increase a person’s self-confidence, eliminates deformations in the abdominal area.

Who Is Suitable for Tummy Tuck Aesthetic?

A tummy tuck is an operation performed under general anesthesia. Therefore, the most important eligibility criteria for the operation is that the general health conditions of the patients are suitable for general anesthesia. General health condition suitable for the operation, ideal weight and weight is stable, ready for life after the operation, adopting healthy life habits and having realistic expectations about the operation, women and men over the age of 18 can make a tummy tuck aesthetic.

Why Is Tummy Tuck Surgery Performed?

There can be many different causes of excess fat and sagging skin in the abdominal area. Factors such as decreased skin elasticity with aging, body type, abdominal operations, and pregnancy can cause a person to have aesthetic concerns about the abdominal area. The Tummy Tuck operation removes sagging and excess skin and fat tissues, tightens the weakened fascia. As part of the operation, it is possible to remove cracks in the lower abdomen and C-section marks with correct planning. It should be noted that tummy tuck surgery is not suitable for everyone. This operation, which eliminates the aesthetic concerns of selected patients, can lead to a significant increase in self-confidence.

How Is Tummy Tuck Performed?

The first stage of Tummy Tuck operation is the anesthesia stage. Intravenous sedation or general anesthesia may be preferred during the operation so that patients do not feel pain or pain, as well as their comfort is high. The type of anesthesia is determined individually. In the second stage, a horizontal incision is made in the area between the pubic line and the navel for a full tummy tuck operation. The shape and length of the incision may vary according to the amount of excess skin. After the incision is made, the skin is removed and the weak muscles in the lower part are repaired and tightened. A full tummy tuck operation may require a second incision around the navel to remove excess skin in the upper abdomen. The skin of the upper abdomen is then pulled down, the excess skin is cut, and the remaining skin is sewn together, creating a new opening for the belly button. Clips, sutures or skin adhesives can be used to close incisions after abdominoplasty.

Tummy tuck surgery should not be confused with liposuction. Although surgeons may resort to liposuction as part of abdominoplasty, tummy tuck surgery is not performed with liposuction alone.

What Are the Best Tummy Tuck Techniques?

A tummy tuck operation can be planned as a full tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck, depending on the scope of the operation. In determining which patient to perform which operation, excess skin in the abdominal area, distribution of excess skin in the abdominal area and expectations of patients are taken into account. For this reason, it is not the right approach to talk about the superiority of techniques over each other. It is important to be able to offer the right solution to the needs of patients.

How Many Hours Does Tummy Tuck Take?

The duration of the tummy tuck operation may vary depending on whether to perform a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck operation. Mini tummy tuck is completed in about 1.5 – 2 hours. The duration of full tummy tuck surgery can vary from 1-5 hours. During the pre-operation process, the answers to the questions that are curious, such as the scope of the procedure and the duration of the operation, are shared with the patients.

Can Tummy Tuck Surgery Be Combined with Other Body Aesthetic Surgeries?

Yes, tummy tuck surgery can be performed in combination with other body contouring operations. In this context, operations such as breast augmentation or breast reduction, breast lift, butt aesthetics, thigh stretching can be performed. The healing process can be more challenging for patients when the operation is of a combined nature.

What Are the Risks of Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Tummy tuck surgery, like other surgical operations, has certain risks. Complications such as infection, bleeding, fluid accumulation, wound healing problems, clot formation, regional lethargy, fat necrosis and asymmetry may occur in the post-operation process. In order to prevent complications in the Post-operative period, comprehensive completion of patients ‘ health checks in the planning process and adaptation to what needs to be considered before tummy tuck surgery have a decisive effect.

What to Consider After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

After a Mini or full tummy tuck operation, what should be considered is similar. The area of the operation is bandaged, and a special corset must be used to support the healing process after the operation and to recover the area. Surgeons give detailed information about how and for how long the bandage will be worn. After the operation, there is some pain. Painkillers are prescribed to control this pain. Compliance with drug recommendations in order to prevent the risk of infection is also very important. After tummy tuck surgery, the person should rest and avoid actions that increase blood pressure. It is recommended not to do intensive and brisk exercises for at least 6 weeks. Smoking and alcohol should not be used during the healing process. Although permanent results can be obtained with tummy tuck surgery, the habits of patients after the operation have a significant effect. If a healthy diet and exercise are not performed, the results obtained by tummy tuck surgery cannot be maintained.

Does The Scar Remain After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

After a tummy tuck operation, the scar remains, but these scars are stored in areas that can be covered with underwear. In full abdominal stretching, the formation of scars occurs in the upper abdominal area, and these scars become silicate over time with the completion of the healing process. In order to reduce the effect of scars, special creams can be applied to the area or medical applications can be applied as part of scar treatment when healing is completed after surgery.

When Can I Return to Work After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

In the process of returning to work after tummy tuck surgery, the pace of work of patients has a significant effect. For jobs that do not require effort and work while sitting, this period is about 10 days after a full tummy tuck operation and an average of 5 days after a mini tummy tuck operation. Employees in physically demanding jobs must wait 2-3 weeks and return to work with the approval of the surgeon.

When I Can Have Bath after Tummy Tuck Surgery?

In order to take a bath after tummy tuck surgery, it is first expected to remove the drains. Drains are removed 2-3 days after the operation if no problems are encountered. Then the patient can take a bath. However, this decision needs to be spoken to by experts. All information about what needs to be considered after tummy tuck surgery is clearly explained to patients that no question mark will be left.

Is It Necessary to Use a Corset After a Tummy Tuck?

Yes, it is important that patients wear corsets after tummy tuck surgery. The time required to wear a corset can range from 4-6 weeks. Corsets, which should initially be used day and night, are used only during the day when 3 weeks are completed.

Can You Conceive After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

After tummy tuck surgery, there is no harm in conceiving patients when the healing process is complete. But for patients planning to conceive, it is recommended that the tummy tuck surgery be removed. Because there is expected to be some relaxation in the abdominal muscles and abdominal skin in the pregnancy and postpartum period, it would be a more accurate choice to leave the tummy tuck operation in the postpartum process if there is a planned birth.

Are Stretch Marks Removed with Tummy Tuck?

It is possible to remove some of the cracks with tummy tuck surgery. However, the answer to this question may vary depending on the location of the cracks. The cracks are partially eliminated and replaced rather than fully removed.

Does Abdominal Skin Lose Its Firmness After Tummy Tuck?

Although the results of tummy tuck aesthetics are permanent when patients eat healthily and exercise, the ageing process cannot be stopped. In cases such as the progression of time, frequent weight gain, or post-operative delivery, the skin may lose its firmness.