Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Published at 03 November 2024

Understanding Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty, known as Tummy Tuck, is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to tighten and reshape the abdominal area by removing excess skin, fat, and stretch marks, as well as tightening the abdominal muscles to treat abdominal muscle separation if any. This procedure is particularly useful in cases of sagging skin that cannot be eliminated by exercise, such as after childbirth or sleeve gastrectomy.

Who is the ideal candidate for the procedure?

The ideal candidate for tummy tuck should meet the following criteria:

Good general health: The absence of any diseases or conditions that may increase the risks of surgery or impede the healing process, such as heart, lung, or liver diseases, or diabetes.

Diet and exercise without achieving the desired results from a tummy tuck.

Healthy and stable weight: This procedure is usually recommended after you have reached a healthy and stable weight, with some stubborn fat and sagging skin remaining after the end of your weight loss journey. If you suffer from obesity, your doctor will recommend that you lose your excess weight before the procedure.

Excess skin and fat in the abdominal area; resulting from significant weight loss, pregnancy, or aging.

Realistic expectations of results; understanding the limitations and potential outcomes is essential to achieving satisfaction after surgery.

Women who are considering pregnancy in the future are advised to postpone the procedure until they have completed their planned pregnancies.

Preoperative preparations

A board-certified plastic surgeon will evaluate your health, discuss your goals, and determine whether you are a suitable candidate for tummy tuck surgery through a comprehensive consultation. The doctor will also take photographs of your abdominal area to plan the procedure and compare them with post-operative photos.

If the doctor decides to perform the procedure, he or she will give you some instructions before the procedure, including:

Stop certain medications and supplements for a certain period before and after surgery. (Inform the doctor of all medications and supplements you are taking.)
Stop smoking for at least one month before surgery, and for two weeks after.
Ensure that you eat balanced and complete meals, and do not follow a strict diet before surgery.
Prepare your home in advance to meet your needs after surgery; Including a set of loose, comfortable clothing that can be put on and taken off very easily, and a chair in the bathroom to use when showering.

Steps during the procedure

Depending on the expected results and the amount of excess skin and fat, the procedure may take one to five hours.

Steps:

You will lie on the operating table, then receive general anesthesia.
The surgeon makes an incision, usually along the lower abdomen, and removes the tissue just below the skin, excess skin and fat, and shapes the muscles in the abdomen, hips and back as needed.
The doctor may perform liposuction at the same time.
Small drains may be placed along the incision site for several days to drain any excess blood or fluid.
The incision site will be sutured and bandaged.
You may be asked to wear a compression garment or a corset after surgery, and it is important to follow your surgeon’s instructions on how to apply and care for the dressing.

Recovery after the operation

The operation may require a stay in the hospital for several nights, during which the patient feels pain and swelling at the wound site, numbness, and general fatigue, for a limited period that may reach several weeks, so the doctor will recommend that you use analgesics. You may have difficulty standing upright for a specific period, and you may have prominent scars that are red or different from your usual skin color, and they usually decrease significantly or fade within a year to a year and a half.

It is necessary to follow the surgeon's post operative instructions, which may include:

Rest and avoid strenuous activities and positions such as bending during the first weeks.
Sitting or lying in a certain way to avoid pressure on the wound.
Wearing compression garments or a corset for 6 weeks to reduce swelling and support the healing process.
Commit to regular follow-up appointments with the doctor to ensure that the wound is healing properly.

When will the results of the operation appear?

It takes about 6 weeks to fully recover and see the full effect of the abdominoplasty, and the results are usually long-lasting if you maintain a stable weight. It is important to choose a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon, carefully follow the pre- and post-operative instructions, and follow a proper diet and exercise to maintain your new appearance.

What are the complications of abdominoplasty?

As with any surgery, there are risks such as bleeding, infection, and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Complications specific to this procedure can include fluid accumulation under the skin, thick scarring that does not disappear, changes in skin sensation, non-healing wounds, and asymmetry in the abdominal area.

You should contact your doctor as soon as possible if you experience severe pain or any persistent or unexpected symptoms.

Do not hesitate to ask your questions to one of the doctors in the Plastic Surgery department at Al-Ahli Hospital! The department provides specialized and high-quality medical services for patients suffering from sagging skin by the most skilled specialist doctors, using modern technology according to the condition of each patient individually.

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