A Detailed Insight into Full Tummy Tuck Procedure

Abdominoplasty, or a full stomach tuck, is a surgical procedure used to remove extra skin and fat from the abdomen to reshape and contour the area. In addition to addressing aesthetic issues, this revolutionary procedure strengthens weak abdominal muscles, giving the abdomen a firmer and more defined profile.

Stats and facts about tummy tuck

American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reported a staggering 37% rise in the cases of abdominoplasty in 2022 as compared to the pandemic year of 2019. Overall, the doctors report 161,948 tummy tuck procedures in 2022. Moreover, in a survey of 3500 surgeries, ASPS found zero complications in around 95% of the patients.

In 2022, the procedure remained in the top five surgeries consecutively for the second year. All these stats indicate the rising popularity of abdominoplasty, making it stand tall among other widely carried out surgeries like Liposuction, breast augmentation, and so on.

Therefore, to get a contoured body and break free from fat tissues in your abdomen, opting for a tummy tuck would be a feasible idea. But before you decide in favor of this surgery, you should be clear about the entire procedure along with the associated risks, complications, and recovery time.

This all-inclusive guide offers thorough insights into the entire stomach tuck process, detailing the different steps, factors to take into account, and anticipated results.

Who should go for a Tummy Tuck?

Here are some of the conditions to be an ideal candidate for the tummy tuck procedure include as below:

• A healthy and ailment-free body
• Weak muscles around the abdomen
• Extra skin around their abdomens due to weight loss or pregnancy
• Excess skin with loose elasticity around the abdomen
• A steady weight that you can maintain after the surgery
• Reasonable expectations with the surgery
• Dedication toward leading a healthy lifestyle after surgery
• Free from drinking or smoking habit

Who does not need a Tummy Tuck?

Not everyone may benefit from an abdominoplasty or a tummy tuck. If you fall into any of the categories mentioned below, you should not choose to go for this procedure.

• People with specific medical conditions or lifestyle choices should carefully consider if this cosmetic procedure is right for them.
• Patients with serious illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, or weakened immune systems may be more vulnerable both during and following surgery.
• Pregnant women or those who intend to become pregnant in the future should avoid undergoing this surgery, as it may stretch the abdominal muscles during pregnancy.
• Those who wish to lose weight quickly or have inflated expectations about the results should look for some other option instead of Tummy Tuck.
• People who have a history of blood clotting disorders or poor circulation should also avoid Tummy tuck, as may increase the associated risks and complications, leading to a delayed recovery period

Prospective patients must speak with a licensed plastic surgeon who can evaluate their unique situation and medical history. To ascertain whether a Tummy Tuck is a safe and appropriate option for accomplishing their desired appearance, a thorough evaluation is necessary. Approaching an experienced surgeon will be the right move in this regard.

Step-by-step guide for Full Tummy Tuck Procedure

You should have proper knowledge about the procedure of Abdominoplasty before undergoing it to make your body slimmer. Yet again, consultation with your surgeon will be advisable to know everything about the surgery steps. Here is what you can expect before and during the surgery.

Consultation before Operation

A comprehensive consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon kicks off the journey. Here is how the surgeon helps the patients.

• Evaluates the patient's overall health,
• Talks to the patients about their cosmetic objectives,
• Goes through their medical background
• Inform the patient about the procedure, possible risks, and aftercare.
• Provides pre-operative instructions,
• Sets guidelines for medication and lifestyle modifications
• With all these points, the surgery intends to prepare the patient for the surgery  

Anesthesia and the making of incisions

To ensure comfort to the patients, the surgeon uses general anesthesia during the entire tummy tuck procedure. The expert makes precise incisions after sedating the patient. Generally, incision creation takes place above the pubic area and horizontally along the lower abdomen.

Depending on the extent of correction needed, the doctor uses different incision patterns and lengths. Modern methods work to reduce scarring and make scars easily covered up by clothing.

Elimination of extra skin and fat

After making the incisions, the surgeon lifts the skin to expose the underlying muscles and tissues. The procedure involves the removal of excess skin. If fat pockets are particularly difficult to get rid of, the doctor may perform liposuction as well. This step is essential to get to toned and defined abs. The surgeon carefully shapes the area, customizing the treatment to the patient's specific anatomy and aesthetic preferences.

Abdominal wall tightening and muscle repair

The strengthening and repairing of the abdominal muscles is a crucial part of the complete Tummy tuck. These muscles can stretch during pregnancy or during significant weight fluctuations, which can lead to a protruding belly. To address issues with muscle laxity and create a firmer abdominal wall, the surgeon sutures the muscles. This helps to improve core strength in addition to improving the final appearance.

Belly button repositioning

For a natural appearance, the surgery may need temporary removal of the belly button from the surrounding tissue. This follows repositioning and suturing it firmly into place. This step is crucial to preserve the balance between the patient's natural anatomy and the reshaped abdomen.

Closure of incisions and recovery

The surgeon carefully sews the incisions closed after making the required corrections. It is possible to install drains to stop fluid buildup in the early phases of recovery. After that, the staff will take the patient to the recovery area for constant observation. Here, the patient gets instructions for post-operative. This includes activities to avoid, prescription regimens, and follow-up appointments.

Recovery and outcomes following surgery

Though it varies from patient to patient, recovering from a full stomach tuck usually entails a few weeks of restricted activity. Patients should refrain from heavy lifting and vigorous exercise during this period. Although some initial swelling and bruises are normal, these eventually go away and show the true effects. The surgery enables the patient to flaunt enhanced abdominal contours, and a flatter belly.

Potential risks and considerations

A full tummy tuck has inherent risks, just like any other surgical procedure. Infection, bleeding, or anesthesia-related side effects are a few examples in this regard. It is imperative for patients and their surgeons to discuss these risks in detail during the consultation. Selecting a board-certified and skilled plastic surgeon significantly lowers the risk of complications.

Are the results of Tummy Tuck permanent?

The results of Abdominoplasty are long-lasting and permanent. This is because the excess skin and fat cells eliminated during the surgery will not grow back. Nevertheless, you need to keep your weight stable and within permissible limits. If you continue to gain excess weight after the surgery, it will affect your results.

The untreated fat cells will grow bigger due to added weight, and cause your skin to stretch again. At times, pregnancy and the absence of muscular tone may also transform into unsatisfactory outcomes. All these incidents will hamper your body sculpting goals and possibly ignite the need for a correction surgery.

To get away with such hassles, you should maintain a balanced diet as recommended by your surgeon. Moreover, if you are planning to be pregnant, avoid this surgery until a few months after the delivery or as suggested by the doctor.

Bottomline

A full tummy tuck is a revolutionary procedure that addresses both functional and cosmetic aspects of the abdominal region. It goes beyond cosmetic enhancements. Individuals who are contemplating a total abdominal re-contouring procedure can make well-informed choices regarding their quest for a more firm and sculpted abdomen.

The role of the surgeon is indispensable in this context.  The expert makes the patients aware of the specific procedures involved, possible side effects, and costs involved. Eventually, you get a toned and trimmed body after the Tummy Tuck procedure.

Selecting the right surgeon, taking care during the healing time, and abstaining from prohibited activities lead to prompt recovery. Though the results of abdominoplasty are permanent, the patient should care not to gain weight beyond permissible limits. This will cause the remaining fat cells to expand, leading to re-stretching of the skin.