A firm, flat abdomen is a hallmark of a beautiful body contour. A tummy tuck, personalized to your needs, can help you improve your abdominal shape for years to come. Learn more about this life-changing procedure from a board certified cosmetic surgeon.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck tightens and reshapes the abdominal (mid-section) area, helping to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing, slimmer overall appearance. Having a flatter, firmer midsection can dramatically improve the way clothing fits and looks, helping you feel more confident and comfortable in your body.
During the procedure, the abdominal muscles are tightened and excess, sagging skin is eliminated, correcting a protruding belly and leaving the midsection flatter and better toned. Tummy tucks are popular procedure for men and women, particularly those whose bodies have undergone dramatic changes from weight loss or pregnancy.
Who Might Benefit from a Tummy Tuck?
The decision to have any cosmetic procedure is personal, and people choose to have tummy tucks for a variety of reasons. The best candidates are at or near their ideal body weight, are non-smokers in good health, and have realistic expectations about what surgery can achieve for them. If any of the following describe you, a tummy tuck is an option to consider:
- Diet & exercise have helped you lose weight, but your abdomen still protrudes and lacks tone.
- Your abdominal muscles and skin are stretched and sagging following pregnancy.
- After losing significant amounts of weight, you now have loose, excess skin hanging around your belly.
- You have always had a belly that “sticks out,” even though you are in very good shape.
A tummy tuck can help clients in any of these situations address what they don’t like about their shape and achieve a firmer, flatter abdomen.
How to Choose your Cosmetic Surgeon
When considering tummy tuck surgery, the single most important choice you will make is deciding on a cosmetic surgeon to perform your procedure. Tummy tuck surgery requires specialized training and experience to ensure a safe and successful outcome. When you consult with a potential cosmetic surgeon, make sure you ask how many tummy tucks he or she has performed and about how frequently the surgeon performs this procedure.
Always confirm a cosmetic surgeon’s training and board certification. Choosing a board certified cosmetic surgeon ensures that the person performing your procedure has had formal training in tummy tuck cosmetic surgery and that your procedure will be performed in a fully accredited surgical facility.
Types of Tummy Tucks
No two patients start with identical concerns, nor will any two patients share the exact same goals. Your cosmetic surgeon will recommend the type of tummy tuck that will achieve your desired outcome and create natural-appearing results with the least scarring possible.
Mini-Tummy Tuck: Improves the Lower Belly with Less Extensive Surgery
Are you mainly bothered by a “pooch” or loose skin and stretch marks below the belly button? A mini-tummy tuck may be a good option for you. This technique involves a single incision made just above the pubic mound, through which your cosmetic surgeon will tighten loose muscles (flattening the “pooch”) and remove excess skin to restore a smooth, flat abdominal wall.
The resulting scar from a mini-tummy tuck is a thin, horizontal line that is typically just a few inches long. Benefits of a mini-tummy tuck include a shorter, less involved procedure, a quicker recovery, and a flatter, slimmer lower abdomen that looks better in swimsuits and fitted clothing.
Classic or “Full” Tummy Tuck: Improves the Upper & Lower Abdomen
Are you bothered by roundness and/or excess skin folds above and below your belly button? A full tummy tuck, which addresses the full length of the abdominal wall, may yield the best results. Through a horizontal or U-shaped incision, made above the pubic mound, your cosmetic surgeon will remove excess skin and tighten the abdominal muscles. In some cases, a second incision is made around the navel to address excess skin above the belly button and achieve the most natural looking results.
The resulting scar from a full tummy tuck looks similar to that for a mini-tummy tuck, but will typically be longer, running from hip bone to hip bone. Even so, a full tummy tuck scar can usually be hidden beneath a swimsuit bottom. Benefits of a full tummy tuck include a much flatter, smoother abdomen, reduced appearance of stretch marks, and enhanced comfort in pants and skirts. You will also find that form-fitting dresses and swimsuits have a more flattering fit.
Extended Tummy Tuck: Improves the Upper & Lower Abdomen and Flanks
Have you lost a lot of weight and now have excess, sagging skin hanging around the front half of your body? Or, have you noticed significant laxity in your abdominal muscles following multiple pregnancies? An extended tummy tuck may be the best option to address your concerns. Although it involves a longer incision, an extended tummy tuck removes excess, hanging skin from the front (upper and lower abdomen) and the flanks, as well as tightens the abdominal wall.
The resulting scar from an extended tummy tuck can often be hidden by clothing, including many swimsuits, but it may not be entirely covered for some patients. Even so, many patients consider some visible scarring a worthwhile price for a much improved body shape & thus improved lifestyle.
What is the procedure?
The majority of tummy tucks procedures are performed either under regional or General anaesthesia, you may require an overnight hospital stay after a more extensive tummy tuck so you can be safely monitored during the initial hours of your recovery. Because a tummy tuck involves surgery on the abdominal muscles, recovery after a tummy tuck takes more time than that for other procedures. Procedure lasts for 1.5 to 2 hours roughly.
Some discomfort is expected for the first week but it will be alleviated with painkillers prescribed. You are advised to spend the first few days resting quietly at home, although you will be encouraged to get up and walk around the house to maintain healthy circulation. It is not uncommon for patients to have drains temporarily placed in the incisions to help remove fluid after surgery. If this is the case for you, you will be given detailed instructions for keeping the area clean and well-maintained until their removal a few days following surgery. Gentle Compressive dressing is usually applied after the surgery to support the area.
Is tummy tuck different from Liposuction?
Yes! In liposuction only accumulated fat underneath the skin / cellulites are taken out. It may be beneficial for limited areas like flanks ( Love Handles). Loose skin resulting from liposuction will hand down and quiet often has to be dealt with secondarily by Tummy tuck surgery. In contrast to liposuction only, tummy tuck helps you regain more youthful of the complete upper as well as lower abdomen. Many a times, liposuction is combined with tummy tuck , this is called as Lipo-abdominoplasty
When Can I Return to Work?
You can start doing activities of daily living 48 hours after the surgery; however, strenuous activities are better avoided for a week. you can start walking & jogging from next week. You may be able to resume your office after a week’s time. But if your job involves lifting, straining or other strenuous activities, expect to take up to a month away from such tasks.
When is the best time to get tummy tuck surgery done?
Ideal time is when:
- No more pregnancies are planned ( It does not mean that you can not have babies after tummy tuck ! )
- A gap of at least 6 months should be there between last pregnancy & this surgery. ( As this is the time required for physiological processes to settle down )
- No previous abdominal surgeries ( in particular related to gall bladder & liver are performed )
- School vacations are the ideal time for such surgeries as you can find adequate time to take rest!
Keeping Your Results Looking Their Best
The improvements made during a tummy tuck are meant to last—abdominal muscles will remain firmer and tighter and the excess skin will not return. However, future pregnancies or weight gain can negatively affect your results, causing the muscles or skin to stretch back out and become lax after returning to your normal weight. If you’re planning to have more children or you are still working on reaching your goal weight, it’s best to wait until you have achieved these milestones before having a tummy tuck.
When performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon, a tummy tuck can be a life-changing procedure, helping you enjoy a slimmer, more youthful body that looks and feels better every day. The best way to learn more is to meet with a board certified cosmetic surgeon for a consultation.
Can tummy tuck surgery be covered under insurance?
No! As tummy tuck is categorised as a procedure meant to modify looks, none of the insurance companies provide cover for these kind of surgeries! However, we at Aakar aesthetics offer you the facility of interest free EMIs so that you can get operated now & pay later in instalments as per your convenience. Click here to know more details about this facility.
