Abdominoplasty
It is very common to have excess skin and fat in the midsection. Oftentimes, this excess fat is stubborn and does not improve with diet and exercise. Plastic surgeons can perform a procedure called an abdominoplasty to tighten the appearance of the abdomen. This is done by surgically removing extra fat and skin and sometimes also improving the structural integrity of the abdominal muscles.
An abdominoplasty procedure is an elective surgery. It is one of several cosmetic procedures that you can consider if you want a flatter, tighter, slimmer midsection. Please continue reading to learn more about the surgical technique and what this type of plastic surgery can do for you.
What is an abdominoplasty?
An abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure that removes extra fatty tissue and skin, tightens the abdominal wall muscles, and flattens your abdomen. It can be performed as a mini or traditional procedure depending on the amount of extra skin and fat that needs to be removed.
What's the difference between abdominoplasty and tummy tuck?
An abdominoplasty and a tummy tuck procedure are the same thing. They are performed to remove excess abdominal skin and fat, tighten the abdominal tissues, and correct stretch marks.
Keep in mind that an abdominoplasty is not the same as liposuction. Nonetheless, your plastic surgeon can perform liposuction as part of the abdominoplasty to remove excess fat.
Who qualifies for a tummy tuck surgery?
An abdominoplasty surgery is suitable for both men and women. A tummy tuck is generally recommended to people who are at a stable weight, in good general health, and are non-smokers. Notably, a tummy tuck is not an alternative to weight loss. Rather, it is meant to provide a more sculpted abdominal area to people who are at a stable weight and cannot get rid of extra skin and fat with diet and exercise.
Women who have had one or more pregnancies often have stretched abdominal muscles and skin. Also people who have lost significant weight can have similar issues. The procedure is called a post bariatric abdominoplasty if it is done after major weight loss through surgery. A tummy tuck procedure is a good solution in both instances to tighten the muscles and reduce the loose skin.
What is a good age to have an abdominoplasty?
Cosmetic surgeons recommend that women postpone an abdominoplasty until they are done with childbearing and pregnancies. This is because the vertical muscles in the abdomen are tightened during the surgery and future pregnancies cause them to separate again.
Also, a tummy tuck plastic surgery should be put off for later if you are planning to undertake significant weight loss because this can impact the results. It is better to wait until you are at a stable, healthy weight (body mass index under 25).
If you are considering a tummy tuck surgery after pregnancies or substantial weight loss, you should be aware that this procedure will leave scars in the abdominal area. The incision line and scar will be present along the bikini line, usually hidden in the pubic hair. The length of the scar will depend on the amount of excess skin and fat removed. In people who need minimal excess skin removed, a mini abdominoplasty can be done through a shorter incision, leaving a smaller scar.
How do you prepare for abdominoplasty?
Consultation
Your plastic surgeon will see you in consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for abdominoplasty / tummy tuck. At this appointment, they will obtain a complete health history and perform a physical examination. They might also take photos for your medical record.
Medical Preparation
If you are deemed to be a suitable candidate for a tummy tuck surgery, your surgeon will give you pre-procedure instructions. This will include eating a healthy diet for optimum nutrition, which is needed for proper healing after surgery. In other words, eat a proper diet and do not limit calories or diet excessively.
You will also be asked to stop certain medications that can increase the risk of bleeding, such as blood thinners, nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, and some herbal supplements.
Your doctor will advise you to quit smoking before and after your tummy tuck. Smoking can affect blood flow to the surgical site, delay healing, and increase the risk of complications after a surgical procedure.
Home Preparation
In preparation for your recovery from tummy tuck, you will need comfortable and loose clothing, ready to eat meals, reading material and other entertainment, a telephone within reach, and a hand-held shower and bathroom chair. You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least one night after the abdominoplasty.
How does the surgeon remove excess skin?
An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery can take anywhere from 1-5 hours to perform. It is a major surgery but is usually done on an outpatient basis. Patients who are from out of town should arrange to stay in town overnight, near the surgical facility.
The surgical procedure on the abdominal wall is done using general anesthesia, meaning you will be unconscious throughout the operation. There are various approaches to a tummy tuck, such as a high lateral tension abdominoplasty, partial abdominoplasty, and abdominoplasty with abdominal lipectomy for body contouring. The procedure can also be combined with other cosmetic surgeries such as a buttock lift, breast lift, breast augmentation, or liposuction in the upper thighs.
Your doctor will discuss the various options with you during your office consultation and decide on the most appropriate approach for tightening muscles in your upper and lower abdomen.
What can you expect after surgery on the abdominal wall?
After a complete abdominoplasty or partial abdominoplasty, the incision site will be closed with stitches and covered with sterile bandages. There may be drainage tubes in place to remove excess fluid and blood from the surgical site. The plastic surgeon may advise you to wear a compression garment to reduce swelling and bruising after the surgery. It is common to have moderate pain after the procedure and your surgeon will tell you how to manage this with pain medication. You should follow your surgeon's instructions for an uneventful recovery from your tummy tuck.
You should plan to take one week off from work to recover from your tummy tuck. It will also be necessary to limit strenuous exercise for 4-6 weeks to avoid putting pressure on the upper and lower abdomen. Keep in mind that you might not feel like your normal self for several months.
You will notice an immediate improvement in the physical appearance of your midsection after the abdominoplasty. The results will continue to improve as the swelling goes down. The results of a tummy tuck are usually long-term. However, this cannot be guaranteed. If you have massive weight loss or weight gain, this might impact the flatness of your stomach.
What are the possible complications of an abdominoplasty?
Side effects of a partial or complete tummy tuck surgery include pain, soreness, swelling, bruising, and numbness in the incision line (bikini line) and surrounding tissue for several weeks. You might also feel tired during the healing process after abdominoplasty. These are expected symptoms and your surgical team will tell you how to manage them.
A tummy tuck, like any major surgery that is done using general anesthesia, carries certain risks. People with medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, pulmonary complications, and liver disease, as well as smokers are at a higher risk of complications after a partial or complete abdominoplasty. Some of the serious complications of a tummy tuck include bleeding, infection, scarring, hematoma (blood collection), blood clots, wound infection, poor wound healing, lingering pain or numbness, fat necrosis, and asymmetry (uneven or lopsided results) requiring revision surgery.
How much does a complete abdominoplasty cost?
The cost of an abdominoplasty can vary greatly across the world. In general, you will pay anywhere from $9,000 to $15,000 for your tummy tuck based on estimates by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Will my health insurance cover abdominoplasty?
Health insurance policies do not cover an elective cosmetic surgery such as a tummy tuck. However, if you are having the abdominoplasty as part of reconstructive surgery on the abdominal wall, your carrier may cover all or some of the cost of the procedure (for example, if you are having a hernia repaired or you have had surgery for significant weight loss).
Finding a surgeon for abdominoplasty
The MeTime app makes it easy to connect with top-rated plastic surgeons in your area who perform abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. You can chat with experts, share photos, do a video consultation, and get a quote. And when you're ready, you can even book an office consultation through the app. Download the MeTime app today!
