Tummy Tuck, Abdominoplasty
Due to pregnancy, excessive weight gain, aging, and many other factors, skin loosening, fat accumulation, pregnancy, and weight-related cracks and scars can be seen in the lower and middle part of the abdomen. The loosened and excessively lubricated skin is completely removed with abdominal surgeries. This operation is called “Abdominoplasty”.
Abdominal deformities are common in every pregnancy. These deformations lead to the deterioration of umbilical aesthetics. In later pregnancies with weight gain, the rate of deformations in the abdomen increases. Discharges and sagging accompanying cracks occur in the abdominal skin.
The connective tissues in the abdominal wall loosen and become protruding forward and have a bulging appearance. Abdominoplasty, which is preferred at this point, is the most effective method in terms of removing deformations that occur especially after pregnancy. However, the methods and techniques used in this surgery differ from each other. For this reason, the method is planned by establishing a doctor-patient relationship before the operation, which is included in the title of What are the Types of Abdominoplasty Surgery?
How is Abdominoplasty Performed?
In case of excess fat storage in the abdominal region in full tummy tuck surgeries, liposuction is first applied to the entire waist and abdomen. After this application, an incision is made between the pubic bones in the lower part of the abdomen so that it remains in the laundry. After this procedure, your abdominal skin is lifted from the abdomen up to the breastbone located in the upper part. The loosened abdominal muscles are tightened by suturing them on the abdominal wall. Abdominal stretching surgeries can also be performed by starting the incision process from different places, if necessary. This tightening process is applied in both the abdomen and waist region.
Finally, the skin remaining in the upper region is pulled down and a new slot is opened for the navel. After full tummy tuck surgeries, your belly and waist area will be thinner and you will have a younger appearance. Abdominoplasty operations take approximately 2 hours and are performed under general anesthesia.
Why is Abdominoplasty Performed?
Abdominal stretching operations are performed to remove the sagging and loosen skin in the abdomen, remove the cracks, remove excess fat, and make the abdominal wall tense. As mentioned above, almost all abdominal deformations caused by weight gain and pregnancy factors are successfully eliminated as a result of this operation.
These operations can be preferred by all people over the age of 18. However, whether it is suitable for tummy tuck surgery is determined by the physician. Especially those who are not extremely obese, those who cannot melt the fat in the abdomen despite all the exercises, those who have stretch marks and loosening problems due to weight gain, and those who have sagging in the abdomen as a result of pregnancy can apply for this surgery.
Although the body has an ideal aesthetic appearance, it is a surgery that can be easily applied by those who only have abdominal fat and weight problems and those who do not think of pregnancy in a short time after the operation. However, the types of surgery and the methods to be applied vary depending on the complaints and deformations mentioned above. For this reason, the title What are the Types of Abdominoplasty Surgery is explained in detail under the subject title.
Before Abdominoplasty
There are some things to be done before the operation to prevent the complications that may occur during the recovery process and the operation after the tummy tuck surgery.
- When deciding on the date of surgery, the menstrual period of the person should be considered. Surgery is not performed during the menstrual period.
- If the person who will undergo the operation smokes, he should not smoke in the 3 weeks before and after the operation. Smoking has a negative effect that slows down blood circulation, and this is considered negative in terms of the recovery process after tummy tuck surgery.
- If the person has had an abdominal operation before, this situation should be reported to the surgeon and the operation decision should be taken accordingly.
- Before the operation, the skin structure in the abdomen should be evaluated. If necessary, the person is asked to lose weight and the operation is performed later.
- If the person who will undergo the operation uses blood thinners, these drugs should be discontinued two weeks before the operation. However, if the use of these drugs is of vital importance, the operation process and whether the operation can be performed should be reviewed. This is also important for all drugs. If there are drugs that need to be used continuously, the doctor should be informed before the operation.
Methods Used in Abdominoplasty Surgery
The main purpose of planning tummy tuck surgeries is which method will be used or not. For this reason, the title What are the Types of Abdominoplasty Surgery is very important in terms of the success rate before the surgery.
In the planning of tummy tuck surgery; lubrication rate, wrapping level of the skin, loosening dimensions, weight and type of lubrication in the abdomen, and lubrication problems in other regions are examined. Considering these issues, the type of surgery is determined and procedures are started for a more tense abdomen. In addition, different treatment methods can be used for aesthetic problems and weight problems experienced outside the abdomen.
There are two different methods used in tummy tuck surgeries. These surgical methods are “Mini Abdominoplasty and Full Abdominoplasty” surgeries. While determining these methods, the size of the deformations and the regions where they are located are taken into account.
Mini Abdominoplasty
If the deformations in the abdomen and the problems that cause the complaint are under the belly button, “Mini Abdominoplasty” is preferred. Sagging, cracks, loosening, and loosening of the muscles under the belly button can be easily eliminated with this operation. In addition, if there is no relaxation and separation in the abdominal muscles, it gives a successful result.
Mini tummy tuck surgeries are an operation that takes 1.5 – 2 hours on average. In this method, the belly button is not affected. Cracks under the navel are removed by removing the skin along with the fat that causes sagging and loosening. Afterward, if there is relaxation in the muscles and this relaxation is eliminated, a more tense abdomen is obtained.
Full Abdominoplasty
Full tummy tuck surgery is slightly different from the technique mentioned above. Problems in full tummy tuck surgeries usually develop due to the divergence of the muscles above the belly button. Therefore, bringing these muscles closer together is the main purpose of the surgery.
The operation is a procedure that takes an average of 3-4 hours under general anesthesia. During the operation, vertical incisions are made between the upper part of the belly button and the groin area, or horizontal incisions are made depending on the size of the deformation. In line with the incisions made after these incisions, the loosening, cracks, excess fat, and sagging of the skin tissue in the areas above and below the belly button are removed and stretched. A tighter abdomen emerges after this stretching procedure. As a result of this operation aimed at tightening the abdominal muscles, a more aesthetic and taut abdomen suitable for the body structure is obtained.
After Abdominoplasty
During the recovery process after tummy tuck surgery, there are situations that the patient should avoid and apply daily, weekly, and monthly. After the operation, the patient stays in the hospital for one day and is discharged the next day. The drains of the patient who wakes up 1 hour after the operation are removed the next day.
The recovery process starts immediately after tummy tuck surgery. After returning home, the person can start his daily life slowly. However, especially in the first week, movements that will force the abdomen and heavy lifting should be avoided. Again, during the first week, the patient should pay attention to hygiene against infections and should take the antibiotics recommended by the doctor without interruption. In the first week after the operation, slight pain may occur in the operation area, painkillers are used for this situation, but the pain goes away between 4-7 days. In case of severe and persistent pain, a doctor should be consulted. The first week should not lie upright and the first 4 days should not take a bath.
The area is covered with bandages immediately after the operation. Bandages are taken according to the healing process. After the bandages, the patient has to use a special corset for 6 weeks.
10 days after surgery, the surgeon will check and remove the sutures.
In mini tummy tuck surgeries, the person returns to business life after 5 days. However, the resting period is stated as 2 weeks in full stretching surgeries.
It is not recommended for the patient to do sports for 3 months after the operation. Especially heavy sports should be avoided.
The abdomen will take its ideal shape after the operation and the swelling caused by the operation will disappear.
However, it takes 1 year for the stitch marks to disappear completely. This situation is not in a size that will disturb the patient and the operation is performed in such a way that the suture scar can be camouflaged with underwear. With the disappearance of the suture marks, the entire healing process will be completed.