TUMMY TUCK / ABDOMINOPLASTY

TUMMY TUCK (ABDOMINOPLASTY)

1. What is tummy tuck/ abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty (also known as tummy tuck) is a surgery to remove the excess skin and fat on the abdomen that may accumulate after pregnancy, obesity, or age. In a full Abdominoplasty, abdominal muscles that may have become stretched are also tightened.

2. At what age is Abdominoplasty usually performed?

There is no "normal" age or time in one's life to have an Abdominoplasty, but it is most often done after a woman has given birth and does not plan to have more children, or after someone (male or female) has lost excess weight.

3. How is a tummy tuck surgery performed?

A full tummy tuck is usually performed under general anesthesia. The Plastic surgeon makes an incision across the lower abdomen just above your pubic bone and pubic hair. This incision may go from hip to hip, but it is usually placed so that it will be hidden by your under-garments. The excess skin and fat below the belly button is removed. Abdominal muscles are tightened and the belly button (umbilicus) is re-positioned in the normal place.

4. What are the different techniques for Abdominoplasty?

Mini Abdominoplasty where only the excess skin is removed when the skin laxity is not too much.

Full Abdominoplasty where the entire skin under the belly button is removed, the abdominal muscles are tightened and the umbilicus is re-positioned.

Lipo-Abdominoplasty where along with the Full Abdominoplasty the flanks and skin flaps require liposuction is done to give the best possible contour.

4. How long is the stay in Hospital and in recovery?

You are advised to stay for 5 days post- surgery in the hospital if a Full Abdominoplasty is done. . You would be instructed to remain in a reclining position in bed for 7-10 days and allowed to walk bending over slightly to avoid tension on the suture line for the first 4 to 5 days after surgery. The sutures are usually taken off after 10 days and you can resume active work in 2 weeks.

5. Is there much pain associated with Abdominoplasty?

We provide for Patient Controlled Analgesia where you control the amount of pain medication as per your requirement and staying alert and comfortable throughout your stay in the Hospital. 

6. Where are the scars located in an Abdominoplasty?

We use techniques that leave a scar which is well hidden by a standard bikini/ under-garments. Ideally, having no scar would be wonderful, but that isn't possible – yet.

7. Will a tummy tuck help my stretch marks?

Yes depending on where the stretch marks are located. A full tummy tuck removes most of the skin in the lower abdomen, and any stretch marks in this zone will be removed along with the loose skin. Stretch marks outside of that zone are treated with fractional CO2 Laser.

8. What are the risks involved in Abdominoplasty?

Every surgery carriers with it its own list of complications. The risk of these complications happening are minimal but the patient has to be aware of their existence.

Bleeding; Seroma; Infection ; Change in Skin Sensation; Skin Scarring; Asymmetry; Delayed Healing; Allergic reactions; Skin Contour Irregularities; Pulmonary Complications; Pain

Umbilicus- Malposition, scarring, unacceptable appearance or loss of the umbilicus (navel) may occur. 

Surgical anesthesia- Both local and general anesthesia involves risk.  There is the possibility of complications, injury, and even death from all forms of surgical anesthesia or sedation.

Smokers have a greater risk of skin loss and wound healing complications.

Long term effects- Subsequent alterations in body contour may occur as the result of aging, weight loss or gain, pregnancy, or other circumstances not related to abdominoplasty. 

Other- You may be disappointed with the results of surgery.  Infrequently, it is necessary to perform additional surgery to improve your results.

9. Why not do liposuction instead of tummy tuck?

The majority of female patients who have excessive abdominal fat find that they are very happy with the results of a simple abdominal liposuction. But when there is excessive fat and excess skin only tummy tuck can give satisfactory results.

10. Is this surgery covered under Health Insurance?

Most health insurance companies do not include cosmetic surgical operations such as abdominoplasty or any complications that might occur from surgery.  Please carefully review your health insurance subscriber-information pamphlet.

DR ASHISH GUPTA

Senior Consultant & Head

Dept. of Plastic & Micro-Vascular Surgery

S.P.S. Hospitals, Ludhiana 

(Formerly; Apollo Hospitals)

Mobile: +91-977977-1111