Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Tummy tucks, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure to remove excess fat and skin from the middle & lower abdomen and from the waist. Patients are rewarded with a toned and more youthful looking abdominal area and an altogether slimmer waistline. Midline protrusion due to split muscle or hernia can be repaired at the same time.
In patient with mass weight loss and skin laxity, it may be more beneficial to have a total body lift or circumferential body reduction. Mr. Ho-Asjoe will discuss with you about the advantages and disadvantages.In a tummy tuck a long incision is made across the waistline in a broad U-shape. The skin is then lifted and separated from the underlying tissue and muscle of the abdominal wall. Excess fat is removed, sometimes by liposuction, and the muscles and associated tissue of the abdominal wall are drawn together to create a tighter waistline. Finally, the skin is pulled down tight over the abdomen, the navel re-positioned, excess skin trimmed and the incision sewn.
A tummy tuck takes between 2 - 3 hours to complete. The patient has to be under a general anaesthetic and an overnight stay in hospital is required.
A full recovery takes 2 - 4 weeks, although normal activity can be resumed within 7 - 10 days. Strenuous activity should be avoided for about a month after surgery. Abdominal support is advisable for 1 month.
Tummy tuck surgery is generally long lasting, but is very dependent upon the lifestyle, diet and exercise regimes of the patient. Eating fatty foods and not participating in exercise will lead to a gradual build up of fat in the lower abdomen area, destroying all of the good work a tummy tuck achieves.
Bruising, swelling and soreness of the stomach and hips is to be expected following surgery. All of these effects are temporary and will subside within a few days to a week. Occasional fluid accumulation will require drainage as an outpatient procedure.