Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) for Reshaping of Abdomen

The aim of this procedure is to remove the impaired abdominal skin (stretched skin, scars, and stretch-marks) and tighten the remaining surrounding skin. Localised fat excess can be removed during the same procedure by liposuction and impaired abdominal wall muscles may be treated too (widening, herniae).The standard abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) removes a large amount of redundant tissue (skin and fat) from the middle and lower abdominal wall, between the belly button (umbilicus) and the pubic region, according to preoperative planning. The healthy skin from the upper middle part of the abdomen is then redraped downwards in order to replace the removed impaired skin. The belly button is preserved and put in its normal position through a hole-cut and contoured in the newly draped skin. This procedure leaves a scar. Its length and position may vary with the amount and location of skin to be removed. It usually extends from above the pubic hair to the groin region. Its length is determined in preoperative planning and the patient shall be fully aware of it.

Abdominoplasty is usually performed under general anesthesia. The patient is asleep through the entire operation. Hospital stay The duration of hospital stay is usually 2 to 5 days.

After the operation It is recommended to wear a pressure garment for 2 to 4 weeks, day and night. You shall not go to work for 2 to 4 weeks. The scars are often red during the first 2 or 3 months and progressively become paler starting from the third month onwards, during a period of 1 to 3 years. The scars should be protected from sunlight and UV for at least 3 months. Sporting activities can be progressively started after 6 weeks.

Complications  that can happen  during Abdominoplasty are the following

Thrombo-embolic accidents (blood clot in the veins of the legs, pulmonary embolism) are rare, but can be life-threatening. They can be prevented by strict prophylactic measures, such as standing and walking as soon as possible after surgery, wearing compression stockings, or heparin therapy (low doses of heparin injected under the skin)

• Blood clots (haematomas) are quiet rare but can occur. They can be evacuated to prevent an impairment of the final aesthetic result.
• Infection, though uncommon, can be treated with drainage and antibiotics.
• It is common to notice 8 days after surgery a lymph collection accumulating under the skin. Such a collection can be drained and will dry up rapidly without sequela.
• Localised skin necrosis. Large areas of necrosis are rare. They can be prevented by a proper preoperative examination and a cautious and well-executed operation, with moderate tension on sutures.
• Numbness of abdominal skin may be observed, frequently in the lower parts of the abdominal wall. It is usually transient and most patients recover normal feeling after 3 to 12 months.
• In some patients with much damaged skin or skin with poor circulation, the healing process may be delayed.