What is Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery or abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgery of the body. Its purpose is to remove excess flabby skin in the area of the abdomen, between the pubis and the belly button. The procedure often comes in combination with liposuction. Moreover, it is suitable for both women and men. It is ideal when the candidate can not lose his stomach, despite diets, sports and a healthy lifestyle.
Thus, the abdoplasty is ideal for:
- remove excess skin, stretch marks, creases or greasy apron
- remove excess abdominal fat
- to tighten abdominal muscles
Combining Tummy Tuck with Other Procedures
Tummy tuck surgery can be done in conjunctions with other procedures, such as liposuction, breast lift, breast implants or thigh lifts.
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Tummy Tuck Surgery Cost
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Tummy Tuck Candidate
The candidate for a tummy tuck is a healthy person who has loose or droopy skin around the abdomen, excess weight in the midsection and who has realistic expectations of the results of the procedure.
On the other hand, this surgery is not recommended to smokers.
Women who are planning a pregnancy are not good candidates too.
Finally, ideally the candidate should be close to his ideal weight. The tummy tuck has no a method to lose weight.
Types of Tummy Tuck
There are several types of abdominoplasty. The surgeon will tell you which one is best for you. Here we present you the main ones.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Mini tummy tuck or partial abdominoplasty is the light form of tummy tuck. It is suitable for patients with little excess skin and fat to remove and who are close to their ideal weight. The mini tummy tuck is only for the lower abdominal area below the belly button. Only one short incision under the belly button is necessary. It can be combined with liposuction of the abdomen. Finally, the recovery time is fast.
Full Tummy Tuck
Full tummy tuck is the most common form of abdominoplasty. It concerns the whole belly, the part above and below the navel. The procedure here is to retighten the skin and muscles of the lower and upper parts of the abdomen. The incisions are made hip-to-hip and around the navel. Here, the navel will also be moved for aesthetic reasons. Complete abdominoplasty is suitable for patients after pregnancy or significant weight loss. Finally, it can combine with liposuction.
Endoscopic Tummy Tuck
Endoscopic tummy tuck surgery is performed only on the longitudinal abdominal muscles. The procedure consists only of tightening the muscles. Incisions are made at the pubic or navel. It leaves scars not very visible. Finally, endoscopic abdominoplasty is rarely combined with liposuction.
Preparation for a Tummy Tuck
Regular physical activity before a tummy tuck surgery will increase your muscle mass and your metabolism and allow you to recover more quickly after the procedure.
It is also necessary to eat balanced. Indeed, good protein nutrition will strengthen your immune system and shorten the healing period.
2 weeks before the intervention, it will be necessary to stop smoking. In fact, tobacco decreases the supply of oxygen to the blood and organs of our body and increases the risk of postoperative complications.
Always 2 weeks before surgery, you will have to stop taking aspirin. The intake of vitamins and dietary supplements must be suspended as well. This in order to reduce the risk of bleeding.
Finally, any other medication should be reported to your surgeon and may be subject to revision.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
Length of Stay
A week-long stay in Budapest, Hungary is necessary.
Anesthesia
The abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia.
Duration of the Procedure
The intervention lasts 150 minutes.
Incisions
Before surgery, the surgeon determines which type of tummy tuck is best. The incisions are made according to a pre-defined plan. The incisions are made in strategic places, so that the scars are the least visible possible.
Because the excess skin is removed, most of the plasty of the abdomen requires movement of the belly button. This will also help to achieve a more natural result.
Also depending on the type of abdominoplasty, the surgeon will have the opportunity to tighten the abdominal muscles. Tightening the muscles will also result in a thinner waist.
Then the surgeon will hold the skin and remove excess tissue. Often, liposuction takes place upstream, in order to remove excess fat.
At the end of the procedure, the surgeon closes the incisions with stitches. Surgical drainage is usually put in place to reduce the risk of bruising. The drain usually retires 2 days after surgery and sutures 12 days after the procedure.
Hospitalization
Overnight hospitalization is required after a tummy tuck.
Recovery after a Tummy Tuck
For a quick recovery, the surgeon will indicate the indications to follow.
A 2 week rest is required before returning to work.
It will be necessary to stop the important physical activities during the healing period. The surgeon will tell you when you can resume the sport. However, walking a little will help recover faster. It is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and eat well. During the 2 weeks following the tummy tuck, it will be necessary to sleep with the head elevated.
It will be necessary to empty the surgical drain daily. A compression panty is to be worn for 3 to 6 weeks after the procedure. This sheath or compression panty will protect the area operated, reduce edema, swelling, bruising and optimize the results of the operation.
After the procedure, a specific medication will be prescribed by the surgeon. As for example antibiotics to avoid the risk of infections or painkillers to avoid discomfort. Medications may vary depending on the type of procedure.
In terms of hygiene, it will be necessary to wash with a sponge. The incisions should avoid any contact with the water during the first 3 days. The baths and the swimming pool are to be avoided, as long as the incisions are still open.
Finally, for optimal healing, it will protect the scars of the sun and stop smoking for 2 weeks after the tummy tuck.
Results of the Tummy Tuck
The result of a tummy tuck is immediate. You find a flat stomach without excess skin and stretch marks directly after the procedure. However, the end result is appreciated after the healing period, when the recovery period is over. A balanced lifestyle will help to maintain the result.
Risks and Complications of a Tummy Tuck
Any cosmetic surgery has its risks and complications. This is also the case for a tummy tuck. Minor risks and complications exist, major risks and complications are rare. In addition, a rest period after the intervention is necessary. This is done partly at the clinic and for the rest of the stay at the hotel. For your safety, we perform a final medical check at the clinic the day before you return home.
The main risks and complications are:
- thrombosis (blood clots)
- bad reaction to anesthesia
- infections
- poor healing
- inflammations
- bruises and hematomas (“blues”)
- pain