Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck surgery, also called an abdominoplasty, is done to reshape your abdomen. The effects of multiple pregnancies are the most common cause of abdominal flab in women. Other reasons include sudden loss of weight, advancing age, bariatric surgery, etc.

The flab in your abdomen is not entirely due to the deposition of fat in the area. As you age, your abdominal muscles get loosened up. Also, there will be a loss in skin elasticity and tone. These, along with the effects of pregnancies, can make your abdomen sag. In some women, the tummy may sag after hysterectomy surgery.

Physical exercises cannot restore the shape of your abdomen, once it sags. A tummy tuck surgery or abdominoplasty can help you tighten your tummy. It removes excess skin, fat, and also tightens the muscles in the region. 

An abdominoplasty is not a weight loss surgery even though liposuction is a part of it. So you cannot expect any drastic change in your body weight after the surgery. The surgery will help you to reshape your abdomen to give it a more toned look.

A tummy tuck surgery is a major surgery, but a very safe one as well. The duration of the operation will be around two to three hours. You will be in hospital for about three days.

Ideal candidates for Tummy tuck surgery

Tummy tuck surgery can reshape your abdomen and improve your physique. It does have auxiliary health benefits like improved abdominal posture and gait. It also reduces back pain due to the removal of frontal drag on the trunk. 

You may have this surgery if;

• Your abdomen still have a lot of flab even after diet and physical exercises 
• You have loose skin that hangs around your belly
• A sudden loss in body weight makes your abdomen to sag
• You have a weak lower abdominal wall

Your body weight must be stable for this surgery. A sudden loss of weight after the operation can again make your abdomen look flabby. So if you are targeting significant weight loss shortly, it is better to delay the surgery till then. Often the operation acts as an incentive for you to lose more weight and stay fit.

If you are planning to have children any time soon, ideally, you should delay the surgery. Pregnancy and childbirth can cause weakening of the abdominal wall. In rare cases, doctors may do an abdominoplasty along with your caesarian section.

Smoking can delay the recovery from any surgery. So, if you smoke, you will have to quit the habit before surgery at least for four weeks. Or else, you may have delayed wound healing.

It is natural to have a scar after the surgery. The surgeon will place the incisions in such a way that it is not visible. But still, there will be a scar in your abdomen. If the thought of it is uncomfortable, you will have to think twice before proceeding.

A tummy tuck surgery is not for you, if

• You suffer from severe disorders of the heart or lungs
• Your blood sugar levels are very high, even with medicines
• You cannot stop blood thinners given for your cardiac issues

A vast majority of those who have a tummy tuck surgery are pleased with the results. And in all probability, you will also be one among them 

Preparation for a tummy tuck surgery

A tummy tuck surgery is a type of cosmetic surgery. You need to discuss with your surgeon about your expectations and the possible outcome. Having realistic expectations is essential to avoid disappointment.

Before the surgery, you will have a few medical tests. These tests are to assess your general health and fitness to have the surgery. If you are taking any medicines like blood thinners, you will have to stop it before the surgery.

If you smoke, you should avoid it starting from a few weeks before and till you recover completely. Or else, your recovery will take a longer time.

For the surgery, you will be in the hospital for about three days. The recovery period at home will be about two weeks. During this time, there will be a few limitations in your daily activities. You should avoid climbing stairs and lifting weights. 

Tummy tuck surgery procedure

The surgery will happen under general anesthesia, which means you will sleep during the operation. Once you are asleep, the surgery starts with superficial liposuction in the concerned areas. Then the surgeon will make an incision in the skin of your abdomen from one groin area to another so that the final scar remains in the hidden undergarment zone.

The surgeon will then lift the skin of your abdomen to expose the muscles. After this, he or she will tighten the loose muscles with the help of sutures. The surgeon will then trim the excess skin off as well as remove some excess fat.

Once this is complete, the surgeon will suture the incision tightly. There may be a drain left under the incisions to remove any fluid that accumulates there.

After the effects of anesthesia wear off, you will go back to your hospital room. You will be able to go home after a day or two. 

Recovery from an abdominoplasty

Once you wake up completely from anesthesia, you will find that there is a tight bandage over your abdomen. There will also be one or two drains coming out from your belly.

It is natural for you to feel some discomfort for a couple of days. Painkillers can keep it under check. You will be able to go home the day after the surgery. Before leaving the hospital, you will receive precise instructions regarding home care such as to 

• Keep your upper part of the body at a higher position. This posture is to avoid pressure in the abdomen.
• Walk around for short intervals. This aids in early recovery and prevents the formation of blood clots in the lungs
• Do a mild range of motion exercises without giving much pressure to the abdomen. These will help improve your muscle tone and reduce the swelling in the tummy.
• Avoid bathing while the drains are in place. You may have sponge baths instead.
• Avoid climbing stairs or lifting weights.

The surgeon will remove the drains after a couple of days . and the sutures usually buried and absorbable and do not need removal. You will have swelling and bruising of your abdomen, which will take two to four weeks to go off. You may have a little discomfort as well for a few days of surgery. You will be able to go back to work after one week to ten days. Recovery will be faster if you do not have any other serious health issues. 

Incisions will look pink or red for a few months. But it will start to fade away with time. Because of its position, the scar will remain well hidden inside your dress. It will also not be visible even while wearing a swimsuit.

The effect of the surgery will be visible from a couple of weeks, but it may take nine or ten months for the full effect. By this time, the swelling and bruising will go off completely. Your abdomen will look tighter, and you will have an improved tone. 

The effects of abdominoplasty are long-lasting. However, you should do your bit by doing the recommended exercises regularly. 

Risks and complications of Tummy Tuck surgery

It is very safe surgery, and complication develops only very rarely. Complications usually occur in only those who smoke excessively, are overweight, have diabetes, or are in poor health.

Risks associated with the surgery though very uncommon include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Infection of the surgical wounds
• Delay in the healing of the wounds
• Formation of a hematoma; a collection of blood under the abdominal tissues. It usually resolves by itself within a few days.
• Blood clots in the veins of the lungs- Moving your legs frequently by walking or exercises can help prevent this. You may also use compression stocking to avoid this
• Paresthesia or numbness around the abdomen or thighs- This happens due to injury of the nerves in the area. It usually reverses by itself after some time.
• The formation of a seroma which is a collection of fluids in the abdominal tissue.
• Hypertrophic Scar formation- Certain persons, will have a more prominent scar than usual. It is due to a difference in the nature of wound healing in some.

An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck helps to improve the tone of your abdomen. By having an experienced cosmetic surgeon to do it, you will get the best possible results