Abdominoplasty
Tummy tuck
Abdominoplasty involves removing fat deposits, excess skin, and tightening the abdominal muscles. This surgical procedure from the field of aesthetic surgery achieves a flat and firm stomach while significantly reducing fat in the abdominal area. After the surgery, your abdomen will be reshaped, and you will likely wear clothing several sizes smaller.
In 85% of cases, abdominoplasty is combined with abdominal liposuction to achieve a more harmonious and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Another type of procedure is dermolipectomy, which focuses solely on tightening the abdominal skin. The third type of abdominal intervention addresses diastasis of the abdominal muscles.
Why is abdominoplasty performed?
Abdominoplasty can help you achieve a flat stomach if you:
- Have excess skin on your abdomen due to significant weight loss, childbirth, or liposuction
- Have had a cesarean section or another surgery requiring a large abdominal incision
- Have excess fat and skin around your navel
- Have weak muscles in the lower abdominal wall
Who is not a candidate for abdominoplasty?
Unfortunately, abdominoplasty is not recommended if you:
- Plan to become pregnant
- Have a serious chronic illness
- Have significant scar tissue from a previous abdominal surgery
Preparation for abdominoplasty - surgical tummy tuck
Abdominoplasty is an extensive surgery that requires thorough preparation. The most important step is a consultation with the aesthetic surgeon, during which the entire procedure will be explained, your questions answered, and the expected results clarified.
All preoperative preparations are conducted at our clinic and are included in the price. These include:
- Laboratory tests: complete blood count, basic biochemistry, coagulation factors, blood group, and Rh factor.
- Additional evaluations:
- Internal medicine and cardiology examination with ECG.
- Chest X-ray with a radiologist’s report.
- Abdominal ultrasound.
- Clinical evaluation by an anesthesiologist.
If you are a smoker, it is essential to stop smoking several weeks before the procedure. Smoking negatively affects circulation and wound healing, prolonging the recovery period.
You will need to stop taking aspirin, vitamin C, and other supplements, as they can increase the risk of bleeding. At the same time, you may need to start taking anticoagulants to prevent blood clots.
It is crucial to refrain from eating or drinking for at least 6–8 hours before the scheduled surgery. You must remove any nail polish or gel polish from your fingernails and completely remove makeup, piercings, and jewelry. Avoid applying body lotion for 4–6 hours before the procedure. A few days before surgery, it is recommended to shave or depilate any hair in the area to be operated on.
You should bring personal hygiene items, a photo ID (ID card or passport), complete medical documentation, and any medications that are part of your chronic therapy.
How is abdominoplasty with dermolipectomy performed?
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. Depending on the extent of the surgery, the surgeon will decide on the operative approach, which can involve a horizontal incision, or in some cases, both horizontal and vertical incisions.
The incision is made approximately 5 cm above the pubic bone, within the bikini line, extending from one hip to the other. The length of the incision ensures even removal of excess skin.
The skin is lifted, and the subcutaneous tissue is separated from the muscles along the entire front of the abdomen. The abdominal muscles are repositioned to the correct alignment and tightened to a certain degree before being stitched to the surrounding connective tissue. This step can also include muscle plication to achieve a narrower waistline.
Next, a portion of the subcutaneous fat is removed. The skin is then tightened, and the excess—commonly referred to as the “fat apron”—is removed.
Since tissue is removed, the navel often loses its position, making it necessary in many cases to create a new navel at the correct height. For wound drainage, drains are typically placed on both sides of the surgical incision and are usually removed 24-48 hours after surgery. The internal stitching minimizes scarring.
To achieve an ideal flat and tight abdomen with firm abdominal muscles, liposuction is often recommended alongside abdominoplasty.
Dermolipectomy is an alternative to traditional abdominoplasty, focusing solely on the removal of excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen. This procedure is commonly performed on women seeking minor corrections to stretched abdominal skin after pregnancy.
The procedure lasts 2–3 hours.
The scar is located in the bikini line, making it invisible when wearing a swimsuit. Within a year after surgery, the scar will fade and become nearly imperceptible.
After the procedure, the patient wears a compression garment to reduce pain and facilitate a smoother, faster recovery.
Patients typically stay in the hospital for one day.
What is diastasis recti, and how is it treated?
In a significant number of women, particularly those over 35 or who have carried twins, the abdomen may still appear pregnant after childbirth. This is caused by the separation of the left and right abdominal wall muscles due to the stretching of the connective tissue between them, a condition known as diastasis recti.
This means that your stomach appears “protruded” because the gap between the left and right abdominal muscles, which normally keeps your abdomen in place, has expanded to around 2.7 cm. This allows the uterus, intestines, and other internal organs to push forward more than usual.
Diastasis recti can cause back pain, abdominal hernias, involuntary urination, and pelvic pain. The only permanent solution is abdominoplasty, during which the two sides of the rectus abdominis muscles are repositioned, joined, and sutured together.
The scar is placed in the bikini line, making it invisible when wearing a swimsuit. Within a year, it will fade and become nearly invisible. After the surgery, the patient wears a compression garment to reduce pain and aid recovery. Patients usually stay in the hospital for one day.
Recovery after a tummy tuck
Immediately after surgery and for the next 15 days, you may experience pain, which can be managed with doctor-recommended pain relief medication. Most patients take anticoagulants and antibiotics for a certain period. To aid recovery, it is advisable not to remain in bed constantly but to take occasional short walks around the room.
You may feel numbness and fatigue and experience swelling and bruising, which typically subside after three weeks. Activities such as bending, squatting, and lifting heavy objects may be challenging, so having someone help with household tasks is recommended.
For the first two days after surgery, eat easily digestible foods such as mashed potatoes, rice, boiled carrots, soup, broth, boiled chicken, semolina pudding, yogurt, or custard. Avoid salty foods. After this period, switch to a diet rich in proteins (meat, eggs, cheese) to promote faster healing. Drink plenty of water or tea.
Avoid smoking, consuming alcoholic beverages, and engaging in sexual activity for the first 15 days.
It is recommended to sleep on your back for the first month, after which you can sleep on your side. You will need to wear a compression garment even while sleeping. The garment should only be removed during showering.
Showering or bathing in a tub is not recommended for the first 36 hours after surgery. However, personal hygiene can be maintained using wet wipes or a damp cloth. Your surgeon will provide instructions on how to clean and care for your navel during recovery. It is normal for the navel area to be swollen and to develop scabs after surgery. Complete healing of the navel can take up to three months.
You will attend follow-up appointments and dressing changes as scheduled with your surgeon.
It is recommended to return to work only after 2–3 weeks. Strenuous exercise and heavy physical activities should be avoided for six weeks following abdominoplasty.
Risks of abdominoplasty
As with any surgery, there are risks of bleeding and infection. However, these risks are minimized when the procedure is performed in a completely sterile operating room by an experienced surgeon following strict protocols.
Before and After
FAQ
Are the results of abdominoplasty permanent?
Yes, the results are permanent as long as you maintain a stable body weight and a healthy lifestyle.
What preparation is needed?
Preparation includes laboratory tests, internal medicine and cardiology evaluations, an abdominal ultrasound, and discontinuation of smoking and certain medications that could affect bleeding and postoperative recovery.
How long does recovery take?
Recovery from abdominoplasty typically requires 2 to 4 weeks, during which limiting physical activity is essential. In the first few days, you may experience discomfort, swelling, and bruising, which can be managed with prescribed pain medications. Wearing a compression garment helps reduce swelling and supports the new shape of the abdomen. Most patients can resume light daily activities after 2 weeks, but strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least 6 weeks.
Can abdominoplasty be combined with other surgeries?
Yes, abdominoplasty can be combined with liposuction for optimal results, as well as breast augmentation, which is common in post-pregnancy transformations such as the Mommy Makeover.
Who are ideal candidates for abdominoplasty?
Ideal candidates are individuals with excess abdominal skin, weakened abdominal muscles, and localized fat deposits that cannot be eliminated through diet or exercise. Candidates should be in good overall health and not planning future pregnancies or significant weight loss.
How is abdominoplasty performed?
The procedure is done under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a horizontal incision above the pubic region, removes excess skin and fat, tightens the abdominal muscles, and sculpts the stomach. The result is a flat and firm abdomen.
How long does abdominoplasty surgery take?
The surgery typically lasts between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the complexity and extent of the procedure.
What are the possible complications of abdominoplasty?
Complications may include infection, bleeding, seroma formation, scarring, skin numbness, and, in rare cases, tissue necrosis. An experienced surgeon and sterile conditions significantly minimize these risks.
What is a mini abdominoplasty, and how does it differ from the standard procedure?
A mini abdominoplasty addresses a smaller amount of excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen. It involves a smaller incision, a shorter recovery period, and does not include muscle tightening or repositioning of the navel, unlike the standard procedure.
When are the results of abdominoplasty visible?
Initial results are noticeable once the swelling subsides, usually within 2–3 weeks. Final results become apparent after 6 months when the scar fades, and the abdomen achieves its permanent shape.