Tummy tuck plastic surgery is among the surgeries that have high demand around the world and one of the most famous surgeries in the UK.
It is basically a surgery that creates a firmer, thinner, and more defined abdomen. It can be performed for both men and women but women are more likely to demand this surgery.
What is a tummy tuck surgery? What are its side effects?
This article will explain more details about the surgery and its side effects..
Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty is a plastic surgery that creates a firmer, thinner abdomen and it involves removing excess skin and fats from the middle and lower area of the abdomen to tighten the muscle of it. However, you should be aware that tummy tuck surgery is not a loss weight surgery, it only removes the excess skin and fats so it is more suitable for patients who complain of extra skin like women after giving birth. In general, the tummy tuck surgery can
- remove excess skin after pregnancy.
- remove extra skin after losing weight.
- tighten the weak abdomen muscles.
- repair stomach muscles which are separated for a specific reason.
In some cases, the doctor or medical team may suggest to include liposuction for having more pleasant results as liposuction helps contour the body so you can end up with the perfect shape.
How is Tummy Tuck surgery performed?
First of all you need to follow the advice given of eating, drinking, and taking some medications 24 hours before you start your surgery.
On the day of the surgery the doctor will draw some lines and curves on your abdomen to mark the areas which will be treated and skin that will be cut. You will discuss all of the information with the doctor so that you understand everything.
Next, and before starting the surgery you will be given anesthetics which is usually a general one but the medical team might also give you a local one. In both cases, it is just not to feel pain so do not worry about it .
Then it is time for incisions. There are several techniques for a tummy tuck surgery and your doctor should decide the most appropriate one for you and the incision made depending on the tummy tuck type you have. In any way, here are the types and techniques of a tummy tuck surgery:
- Full abdominoplasty
- Mini abdominoplasty
- Fleur de lis abdominoplasty
- Endoscopic abdominoplasty
The traditional tummy tuck technique it the full abdominoplasty which involves two incisions:
- the first one is made around the belly button
- the second one is made along with the bikini line from one hip to the other.
The doctor will tighten the muscles and remove excess skin. This type of tummy tuck surgery is more suitable for patients who complain of excess weight after pregnancy or after losing weight.
What to expect during a tummy tuck surgery?
You will sit with the doctor or medical team for around an hour to discuss all the details of the surgery and the doctor will decide the appropriate technique for you based on:
- the amount of excess skin to be removed
- the reason of having a tummy tuck surgery in the first place( after pregnancy, or weight loss, or other reasons)
- the strengths of your stomach muscles
- medical history and medications you take
- if you are planning to become pregnant in the future or not.
You should also discuss the risks and the side effects because there might be some additional side effects if there is a special case. However in general, the side effects are pain and scars around the abdomen.
Who is not advised to have a tummy tuck surgery:
Patients who are willing to lose weight because the tummy tuck surgery is not a weight-loss procedure so it is better to lose weight and then have the tummy tuck surgery and not the opposite way around.
Patients who are planning to get pregnant in the future because tummy tuck surgery involves tightening the abdomen muscles which will affect the pregnancy process. So it is better not to have a tummy tuck surgery if you are planning to get pregnant.
At the end, always remember to search carefully because tummy tuck surgeries need a professional doctor and an advanced hospital. In addition, it is very important to discuss all the details with the doctor before starting the surgery and show your medical report to make sure everything is going to be okay.