Tummy Tuck Surgery

Every woman would love to have a flat and contoured stomach. But, several factors such as pregnancy, age, weight gain, etc. can cause excess loose, fat skin, and stretch marks on the tummy. A tummy tuck procedure offers a solution for all these problems. A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to improve the shape of your belly. The procedure involves the removal of excessive fat, excessive and sagging skin + tightening of abdominal muscles and repositioning and reshaping of the naval which gives a rejuvenated and youthful appearance.

If you are willing to undergo a tummy tuck, it is important to consider visiting an experienced cosmetic surgeon. Dr Padmini will analyse your condition and helps you take the right decision.

Why Should I Consider Tummy Tuck?

There are several factors that can cause excess fat and sagging skin in the abdomen. A tummy tuck procedure can help you lose those excess fat. Along with this, a tummy tuck surgery can help in the following ways:

• Makes your stretched navel smaller
• Tightens the stretched or weak abdominal muscles
• Makes your belly tight 
• Helps regain your youthful body contour

Who Should Undergo Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck surgery is effective at treating the following:

• Post-pregnancy skin and muscle laxity
• Sagging skin after substantial weight loss
• Drastic weight loss after bariatric surgery

Anyone who qualifies for the following can undergo a tummy tuck procedure:

• You should be physically healthy
• You should be a non-smoker
• You should have realistic expectations from the procedure

But if you are planning for pregnancy, you must wait to undergo the procedure. This is because the vertical muscles that are tightened with tummy tuck may get separated with pregnancy. Hence, it is better to postpone your tummy tuck if you are planning for kids in the future. If you are planning to lose weight, you should also postpone the tummy tuck procedure until you achieve a stable weight.

Initial Consultation with the Surgeon

• During your initial consultation with the surgeon, you can discuss your concerns and what you are willing to change. The surgeon will review your medical history, and examines your belly. Based on that, the surgeon suggests the right choice of treatment for you. The surgeon also explains the procedure along with the expected results, pros, and cons of the procedure. 
• The surgeon also shows you before and after pictures of the tummy tuck procedure they performed earlier. 
• The team of surgeons will examine you thoroughly (for the amount of excessive and sagging skin, stretch marks and quality of the skin, tone of musculature, excessive fat and its distribution, position and shape of the naval, position of previous scars, any hernia) regarding your general health status of the abdominal wall and then comes to a conclusion about the comprehensive management.
• The initial consultation mainly focuses on informing you clearly about the procedure and clarifying your concerns.

Do I Need any Preparation to Undergo the Procedure?

Before undergoing a tummy tuck procedure, you must follow the below instructions:

• Quit smoking as smoking can lead to tissue damage and delays wound healing.
• Avoid using certain medications such as blood thinners, herbal and ayurvedic medication, and vitamin supplements like Vit E, green tea which may cause increased bleeding.
• You should maintain a stable weight for around 12 months before the procedure, otherwise, the results of the procedure may get affected.
• Arrange someone to drop you home and to stay with you after the procedure

What Does the Tummy Tuck Procedure Involve?

There are several ways or techniques of performing a tummy tuck based on your expected results and how much excess or sagging skin is to be removed. Before undergoing the procedure, the surgeon will make markings on the surgical site. You will be given anesthesia to make you unconscious during the procedure. You will be monitored throughout the procedure to ensure you are safe and comfortable during the procedure.

The tummy tuck procedure options include:

• Mini or partial tummy tuck: It is suitable for people who have less fat skin on the belly. This procedure requires only a smaller incision around the lower tummy and it involves removing fat below the navel. The muscles from the navel to the pubic bone are also tightened during the procedure. In most cases, the position of the belly button is not changed during this procedure. This procedure can take around one to two hours.
• Standard/ Complete tummy tuck: A full tummy tuck involves making a large incision around the lower belly, above the pubic area from one hip to another hip bone. A second incision will also be made to separate the belly button from the surrounding tissues. The length of the scar will be based on the extra skin to be removed. It may take around 5 hours.
• Circumferential abdominoplasty: It is suitable for people who have excess skin in the abdomen and back mainly after bariatric surgery or massive weight loss. It involves removing fat from the hip and back areas. This can reshape your body from all sides.

After the Procedure and Recovery

After the procedure, the surgeon may place small tubes along the incision to drain the excess fluid and blood. The healthcare team will help you walk as early as possible to prevent blood clots. You will have mild swelling at the surgical site, but it is normal and it goes away slowly. You may be given pain medications to deal with the pain. You may need to use an abdominal garment for a 4-6weeks after the procedure to avoid fluid build-up and also to support your abdomen.

For six weeks after the procedure, you should be careful while moving around. You may need to take a break from your work for at least 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure. You should also avoid putting strain on the incisions with activities such as gym, back stretching, climbing stairs, lifting weights, sexual activity, or contact sport. You should schedule follow-up appointments with your surgeon to ensure you are healing well.

You may be advised to keep a pillow beneath your thighs with bent knees to give rest to the suture line in lying down position. Slight bending forward in an upright position for 1 week helps to reduce tightness and increases comfort. Dressing changes are mandatory once in 3-5 days for 2 weeks. All sutures are absorbable and need not be removed. Once the suture line is dry, you are advised to start scar improvement methods through scar reduction creams and moisturizers. You are advised to strictly follow lymphatic massages to improve the contours, and reduce the swelling and pain for a period of 6-8 weeks.

Results

You will start noticing the initial results after 6 weeks and your tummy keeps on improving in shape till 6 months. By removing excess fat and skin with the procedure, your belly looks slimmer and tighter. The results of the tummy tuck will last for a long time, but you need to maintain a stable weight.

Meet Dr B.R.N to Undergo Tummy Tuck Procedure

If your excess belly fat is affecting your beauty and self-esteem, meet Dr B.R.N Padmini today. She has over 13 years of surgical experience and can definitely help you. She first considers your medical history and your goals, and then suggests a customized treatment plan to meet your individual needs. She is well versed in all aspects of aesthetic surgery of the face, breasts, and body. She will answer any questions you may have, both before and after the procedure. She ensures to make you comfortable and safe during the treatment. She also offers the required support to recover faster from the treatment. You can schedule an appointment with Dr B.R.N Padmini either by giving us a call or through the online form.

Frequently Asked Questions