Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen. It also helps to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall, flatten the stomach and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

About Tummy Tucks

Today “tummy tuck” or abdominoplasty is a relatively common procedure and is used in its limited, mini, and modified varieties for a large group of individuals, male and female. As cosmetic surgery has become more acceptable and bathing suits more revealing, requests for abdominoplasty are coming from women who have had a single pregnancy or a rapid weight gain that has damaged the lower abdominal skin and musculature. In tummy tuck excess skin is removed and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and the muscles of the abdominal wall are tightened. It is also known as “abdominoplasty”.

Ideal Candidates for Tummy Tuck

Patients for “tummy tuck” are women or men who have large fat deposits or loose abdominal skin that do not respond to diet, exercise or both. Females who had multiple pregnancies and stretched their abdominal wall and skin will specially benefit from such a procedure. Older patients who are obese and lost the elasticity of their skin can also benefit from this procedure. Tummy tuck can be partial (mini tuck) or complete and either procedures can be used alone or in combination with liposuction to achieve the results.

Partial and complete abdominoplasty are usually performed as outpatient procedures, in an outpatient surgical centre, an office-based facility or a hospital.

This procedure can be done under general or local anaesthesia. Complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to five hours while partial abdominoplasty may take an hour or two.

Preparing for the Operation

Products that contain Aspirin, Vitamin E, or Evening Primrose oil should be avoided for four weeks before surgery. The use of Vitamin K (10mg daily) for three days before surgery is recommended. Strong alcoholic drinks should be avoided before surgery.

Important to Note:

Patients should not smoke for two weeks before surgery and for a few days after surgery. Smoking interferes with the circulation of blood to the skin and can cause death of the skin flaps. If the patient develops any signs of infection, pustules or boils on the face or body before surgery, the doctor should be notified immediately. On the day of the surgery, the patient should wear comfortable, loose clothing that do not have to be pulled over the head, to the hospital. Patients must not wear any make-up (including mascara and nail polish) when they go into surgery. If the patient tints, dyes or bleaches his or her hair, this should be done no later than one week before surgery.

Important Surgical Instructions for Tummy Tuck and Mini Tummy Tuck

All patients undergoing abdominal and lower extremity LIPOSUCTION should bring a full length heavy duty, extra large pantyhose (queen size) to the hospital on the day of the surgery. This will be placed over a foam tape dressing, which will be used in place of uncomfortable girdles or body garments.

Post Operative Care

A foam tape dressing will be placed on the abdomen and will be covered by an abdominal binder immediately following surgery. On the night of surgery, you will be sent to your room with two drains existing from the lower part of the incision and only should be manipulated with great caution. Patients with a mini tummy tuck do not have drains and are usually discharged the day of surgery.

You are to remain in bed the evening of surgery and may use a bed pan that night. Walking and getting out of bed should be avoided in the first twelve (12) hours. the ideal position following surgery is for the feet and head to be elevated at thirty (30) degrees, in order to relieve tension on the suture line of the tummy tuck.

One should sleep with feet elevated on two pillows and head elevated on one to two pillows for the first seven to ten days following surgery.

Mini Tummy Tuck

All patients having a limited or mini tummy tuck return home the same day. Inpatients in hospital may need to stay overnight.

Prior to discharge: you will be seen by an assistant who will make a decision to remove the drains at that time. All patients will be discharged with a pantyhose, which should remain in place for the first seven days following surgery. This dressing is NOT to be removed unless discuss with the physician first.

What to expect following Tummy Tuck surgery

The first day following surgery, you may begin walking with help. It is not advisable to drive a car or ride in a car for the first 5-6 days following surgery, unless you are coming to the office for a post-operative visit. You should be walking in a bent over position and should not attempt to stand straight up for the first 5 days following surgery.

On approximately the 7th day, dressing will be removed and strip off tape (steri strips) may be applied over the incision.

You should purchase a half inch foam cushion that can be cut to fit over the incision site. This should measure approximately 3 inches wide and should extend from one end of the incision to the other. A cloth covering may be sewn over this foam cushion so it does not rub directly against the skin. This must be worn for the first three months following surgery and may be placed within your underwear. The doctor will explain this to you in detail following surgery.

Sports and vigorous activities are avoided for four weeks, however walking and bicycling may be done three weeks following surgery.

After surgery, some people return to their jobs in two weeks while some others take three or four weeks before going back. The results of tummy tuck are usually long lasting if you keep your weight and exercise regularly.