Who will Benefit From Abdominoplasty Surgery? Men and women who do not respond to diet and exercise with abdominal sagging but have proper body contours are candidates for this surgery. This surgery is especially useful in women who have given birth several times, have cracked and sagged abdominal skin, and their abdominal muscles have weakened. Patients who intend to lose weight should postpone this surgery. It is also useful for women who intend to give birth to postpone this surgery until after birth. An abdominoplasty surgery will increase your appearance and self-confidence, but it will not completely help you achieve an ideal appearance or eliminate other problems that require treatment. Before you decide on surgery, you need to think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
What is Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Surgery?
* FULL ABDOMINAL STRETCHING OPERATION (ABDOMINOPLASTY)
* PARTIAL ABDOMINAL STRETCHING OPERATION (MINI-ABDOMINOPLASTY)
Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure in which excess fat and sagging skin tissue present in the middle and lower abdomen is removed and the abdominal muscles are stretched and strengthened, Fat people should lose the amount of weight they can lose before this surgery. With this surgery, the appearance of the fat belly and abdomen is dramatically improved, but the scar attached to the surgery is permanent. There are many techniques used by plastic surgeons for abdominoplasty. Abdominoplasty can also be performed in contraindications (aesthetic breast surgeries, liposuction, etc.) or some other surgeries (uterus, ovarian surgeries, etc.). If you are considering an abdominoplasty surgery, this article will inform you, but you may not find the answers to all your questions here.
How is The Pre-Surgery Preparation?
During this period, your surgeon will have some demands from you. Especially if you are smoking, you should take a break from this until 4 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery. You should not stay in the sun for long during this period. If using vitamin E and aspirin, take a break and avoid heavy preoperative dietary regimens. A cold or some other infection could delay your operation.
As the Surgery Is Done?
Complete or partial abdominoplasty operations are performed under hospital conditions.
How Is Surgery Planning Made?
In your first examination, your surgeon will learn about your general health condition, amount and distribution of fat in the abdomen, sagging and excess of abdominal skin and skin quality. During this examination; you should give accurate and detailed information to the doctor about the diseases you have, your current health problems (diabetes, etc.), your habits (smoking, drinking, etc.) and the medications you use (aspirin, sedatives, etc.). Another issue that you should tell your doctor during this examination is why you want this surgery and what you expect from this surgery. Do not refrain from discussing this issue openly. As a result of your expectations and examination findings, you may be a suitable patient for full or partial abdominoplasty alone or together with liposuction, or only liposuction is sufficient for you. During this examination, the type of anesthesia, how many days you will stay in the hospital and possible problems you may encounter after surgery should be discussed.
What is Anesthesia Type?
The majority of surgeons in our country prefer general anesthesia for this surgery. Others use local anesthesia along with painkillers and sedatives.
What is the operation like?
Full abdominoplasty can take 2-5 hours depending on the width of the surgery, and partial abdominoplasty may take 1-2 hours. It is often necessary to make an incision line that extends from one hip to the opposite hip, but can be hidden inside the swimsuit, and a round second incision around the belly. In partial abdominoplasty, the incision line is shorter and the belly may not be replaced. During surgery, the abdominal skin is removed from the muscles below it, from the groin to the level of the ribs. If there is a weakness or hernia in the abdominal muscles, this place is reinforced, and excess skin is cut off and removed from the body. These procedures in mini-abdominoplasty are more limited. After the operation is finished, the wound is closed with either metal clamps or single or hidden (intradermic) suture and covered with dressings. One or two tubes called drains can be placed under the skin to absorb excess fluid to be collected in the area.
What to Do After Surgery?
In the first few days, there may be swelling in the abdomen and pain that can be controlled with painkillers. Drains are removed after 1-3 days on average, and stitches after 1-3 weeks. On average, you need to stay in the hospital for 1-3 days. It may take a few months for you to feel the same as before. You can return to work after 2-4 weeks. The scar may seem to worsen in the first 3-6 months, but this is normal, it may take 9 months to 1 year for the scars to flatten and fade. Although it does not completely disappear, the scar can be easily hidden even under this bikini. Partial or full abdominoplasty procedures create excellent results for patients with abdominal muscle weakness or serial sagging. In most patients, excellent results can be maintained for years with regular exercise and diet.
What Are Alternative Treatments?
Vacuum-assisted liposuction can be considered as an alternative in normal-weight individuals if there is good quality tight skin and limited fat accumulation, and if the abdominal wall is intact. Diet and exercise programs can also be effective in reducing total body fat, but they are not effective on skin sagging. Unexpected but possible events after surgery, called risks and possible complications, also carry the risks of surgery in alternative treatments.
What are the Risks of Abdominoplasty?
Hundreds of abdominoplasty surgeries are performed each year. If this surgery is performed by a plastic surgeon who also specializes in body contouring, the result is usually satisfactory. Every surgical procedure has a certain amount of risk and it is important that you understand what is involved in abdominoplasty. Comparing the risks and benefits of surgery is essential in accepting the surgical procedure. Even if many women or men do not experience the following complications, discuss it with your plastic surgeon until you are sure you understand the risks, possible complications, and consequences. Complications such as infection and bleeding are rare in this surgery, which is performed by a plastic surgeon under good pre-operative examination and evaluation and appropriate hospital conditions. The infection is treated with antibiotics and draining the abscess if it has formed, but it may prolong the hospital stay. Delayed or poor wound healing may occur and result in scarring. In these conditions, a second surgery may be required. Complications in skin loss and wound healing are more common in smokers.
What are the Long-Term Effects?
Depending on aging, pregnancy and weight gain, body contour changes may develop outside the operation area.