Steps for a Complete Tummy Tuck:

There are five steps in a complete tummy tuck:

i. The surgeon cuts from hip to hip, just above the pubic area.
ii. The navel is freed from the surrounding skin with another cut.
iii. The skin is detached from the abdominal wall. The muscles beneath are tightened with sutures.
iv. The skin flap that was taken off the muscle, is now reattached. Any extra skin is removed and a new hole is cut for the navel.
v. Stitches are dressed and excess fluid is drained.

A partial abdominoplasty is another option if your fat is mainly in the lower part of your abdomen. In this procedure the navel is left intact. It is also a much faster operation.

Will a Tummy Tuck work for you?

The best candidates for adominoplasty are people in good shape, but with a fat deposit or loose skin that cannot be shifted by diet or exercise. Many mothers also benefit from the tightening of their stretched abdominal muscles.

Patients should be aware that permanent scarring will follow the operation, and should therefore be fully mentally prepared for this. Patients who may lose a lot of weight in the future should avoid the surgery, as should women who may at some point become pregnant.

Risks Involved with Abdominoplasty:

Risks Involved with Abdominoplasty:

Like any reconstructive or cosmetic surgery, abdominoplasty has risks. Before considering such a major surgery, a responsible plastic surgeon should discuss such risks with his or her patient.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists the following risks:

1. Scars, Clots and Infection

Post-operative complications such as infection and blood clots are rare, but can occur. Infection can be treated with drainage and antibiotics, but will prolong your hospital stay. You can minimize the risk of blood clots by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible.

2. Poor Healing or Rejection

Poor healing, which results in conspicuous scars, may necessitate a second operation.

3. Stop Smoking

Smokers should be advised to stop, as smoking may increase the risk of complications and delay healing.

4. Pay Attention to Your Doctor & Follow Up with Post Op Meetings

You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon's instructions before and after the surgery, especially with regard to when and how you should resume physical activity.

Is there much pain associated with Abdominoplasty and what are the risk?

Is there much pain associated with Abdominoplasty?

The amount of pain from this procedure varies from patient to patient. During the procedure, you may feel some discomfort depending on the type of anesthesia used. Patients will often note some back discomfort due to the 45 degree positioning for 4-5 days after surgery however muscle relaxants are sometimes given to alleviate muscle spasms and for relaxation.
As with most surgeries, there is a bit of swelling involved with an Abdominoplasty. You must take into account that in an Abdominoplasty a lot of tissue is removed, so swelling is expected.

What are the risks?

As with any surgery performed under anesthesia, there are risks primarily because of the anesthetic and because of the fat and its surrounding tissues potentially becoming necrotic (dead tissue). If the fat becomes necrotic from a lack of blood supply, the fat tends to turn orange-ish clear and some may drain from the incision; although this is very normal. There will be fat damage, fluid retention, and blood-tinted drainage.
Although not permanent, a tummy tuck can last for many years and if there are no large weight gains, or pregnancies after the procedure then the changes will be relatively permanent. Certainly some relaxation of the tissues can reoccur but not to the extent prior to surgery

What should I expect post-operatively.

What should I expect post-operatively.

For the first few days, your abdomen will most likely be swollen and you may feel some pain and discomfort. You are usually able to walk immediately after surgery and are encouraged to do so 3 or 4 times per day for 1-2 minutes each time. However, you will more than likely not be able to stand up straight as the skin of the abdomen will be quite tight and you are usually instructed to remain bent over at least 45 degrees for the first 4 to 5 days after surgery. You may feel some strain on your back due to standing in the 45 degree angle for a little while. At the end of 4 days, the patient may begin to straighten up and by six days post-op, may or may not be fully straight.

Some stitches may be removed anywhere from five to seven days after the surgery and any temporary tubes that are used to drain excess fluid can be removed five to fourteen days post-op. Any deeper stitches will come out in two to three weeks. You should take it easy for at least two weeks after surgery as you will be on bed rest and advised to do a very small amount of walking. An abdominal pressure garment may also be placed around you during one of your post-operative appointments and you may be instructed to wear this for 3 to 6 weeks. Some swelling and discoloration are normal but generally this is minimal. Of course this is dependent upon the individual.

How is the procedure performed.

How is the procedure performed?
Some doctors use general anesthesia, while others use local anesthesia along with sedatives to make the patient sleepy. The surgery can take anywhere from two to five hours depending on the amount of work required. Most of the time, the surgeon will make an incision in the lower abdomen just above the pubis or can make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone. A second incision is made to separate the naval from the surrounding tissue and then the skin and fat is then dissected off of the abdominal muscles all the way up to the bottom of the rib cage. Sometimes, sutures are placed on the muscles of the abdominal wall to tighten one side of the abdomen to the other and thereby make the abdomen more firm. The skin above the belly button is drawn down to the pubis and sutured into position. A new hole is placed in the skin and the belly button is positioned in and stitched into place. Finally, the incisions will be sutured together, dressings applied and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site