Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen while also repairing and reinforcing weakened abdominal muscles in the midline, resulting in a smoother and more even abdominal region for the patient. Abdominoplasty, as well as other tummy tuck and waist shaping procedures, have grown in popularity among women, particularly after pregnancy. The number of men seeking tummy tuck surgery is growing as well.
After the procedure, long-term permanent results in tummy tuck aesthetics can be obtained. Although the surgery’s effects last for many years, rapid weight gain and loss, as well as a lack of physical activity, can have a negative impact on the abdominal region. Being pregnant has an impact on the outcome of a belly tightening. As a result, if you intend to have children in the near future, it would be prudent to postpone the surgery. According to studies, some patients became pregnant after 6 months of belly tightening surgery and successfully gave birth.
A belly tightening is usually performed in conjunction with liposuction to treat excess fat that does not respond to diet and exercise.
When Is Abdominoplasty Required?
Many people; she spends a lot of time in gyms in order to have a flatter stomach. However, even with the most rigorous diet, exercise, and sports regimen, you may be unable to achieve your goal of a “flatter stomach.” Even the most physically active people with normal body weight can develop a sagging, belly, and protruding abdomen. The following are some of the most common reasons for this:
- advancing age,
- frequent weight gain
- Pregnancy,
- previous surgeries, and genetics
- People who suffer from skin elasticity loss seek aesthetic belly tightening surgery.
Are There Different Kinds of Abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty procedures include full tummy tucks and mini tummy tucks.
There are two kinds:
full Belly tightening:
full Belly tightening surgery; It is the most commonly used procedure for patients who have severe skin laxity, excess fat, or abdominal muscle separation. These procedures are carried out under general anaesthesia. Patients must stay in the hospital for an average of 2-3 days.
The navel is preserved by making an incision around the navel, followed by a long, horizontal incision at the bottom to remove excess skin and fat. It has nothing to do with the internal organs if there is no hernia in the abdominal wall. The abdominal muscles above and below the navel are constricted in a corset-like fashion. Although these operations leave a long horizontal incision scar, they provide the greatest improvement in the shape of the abdomen.
Mini belly tightening: A mini belly tightening is more appropriate for patients who have only a small amount of skin sagging under the navel. This procedure necessitates general anaesthesia. During the procedure, skin and fat from the lower abdomen are removed to leave a horizontal seam. Mini belly tightening operations have a smaller impact than full belly tightening operations. The hospital stay and anaesthesia time are both shorter than for a full belly tightening.
Can a belly tightening and liposuction be performed concurrently?
Liposuction is sometimes combined with belly tightening surgery. Liposuction is recommended instead of a belly tightening for young patients with elastic skin whose main problem is excess regional fat. Small incisions of a few mm length are made during the procedure, then excess fat is removed and the incisions are closed. Liposuction can cause some skin tightening, but the results are not always predictable. Liposuction will be less effective than a belly tightening alone. It is a non-invasive procedure that targets subcutaneous adipose tissue rather than the skin.
Who Is Eligible for Tummy Tuck Aesthetics?
People who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by loose abdominal skin that does not respond to diet or exercise are the best candidates for tummy tuck surgery. It is also very beneficial for women who have gained and lost a lot of weight, who have had very overweight pregnancies, whose abdominal muscles have weakened due to twins and multiple pregnancies, and whose skin is far from normal. This surgery can also help with the elasticity loss that occurs with obesity. If you intend to lose weight, you should postpone the surgery. When you reach your ideal weight, your surgery will be much easier. Furthermore, women who are planning to become pregnant in the near future should postpone this surgery because the vertical muscles tightened during the surgery may separate again during pregnancy.
What Factors Should Be Considered Prior to Abdominoplasty?
Your doctor will advise you on how to prepare for surgery, including what to eat and drink, whether to smoke, and whether to take or avoid certain vitamins and medications.
If you smoke, you should stop at least 1-2 weeks before the surgery and refrain from drinking for at least two weeks afterwards.
Surgery is more dangerous in patients who are extremely overweight. Body mass index is an important factor to consider when making a decision. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels and weight fluctuations are hazardous in diabetics.
Before the operation, avoid excessive sun exposure, particularly in the abdominal area, and avoid a strict diet, as these can impair your ability to heal.
If you have a cold or an infection, your surgery will most likely be postponed. You should have a companion with you after the operation to drive you home, and you should ask him to assist you for 1-2 days after you leave the hospital.
Postoperative
The abdomen will most likely be swollen in the days following surgery. It is normal to experience some pain and discomfort during this time, which can most likely be managed with medication. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be able to leave the hospital in a few hours or you may need to stay for 2-3 days. To prevent blood or serum fluid from accumulating inside during surgery, special rubber or silicone pipes that empty into the outer chamber called a drain are usually placed inside. Drains are removed 3-7 days after surgery.
Your doctor will provide you with all of the information you need to know about showering and changing dressings. Even if you can’t stand upright at first to avoid stretching your stomach, you should start walking as soon as possible. There may be a few external stitches along the long suture line on the lower abdomen, but all stitches are closed. Non-dissolving external sutures will be removed in about a week.