Abdominoplasty (a.k.a. Tummy Tuck):

A tummy tuck is a procedure whereby a horizontal incision is made in a “French bikini” line across the lower abdomen and just superior to the pubic hairline extending from hip to hip.

The incision is much similar to that of a Cesarean section. Usually, this is used in combination with liposuction, both suctioning and excising (cutting out) layers of fat from the lower and sometimes upper abdomen.

The surgery is done under general or epidural anesthesia.

Most surgeons “tighten” the stomach muscles themselves using sutures in a corset fashion. Several inches of skin and flab from the lower abdomen are removed, usually including removal of most stretch marks.

The incision is closed and a new “belly button” is created by means of a circular incision in the area where the original navel had been and suturing the edges in place. When done with care, the new “belly button” looks just like the original once the wound heals. The circumferential scar is usually very fine and not at all noticeable if done with care. The entire surgical procedure takes between 2-5 hours.

Immediately following surgery, when the patient awakens from anesthesia, she or he will be helped out of bed. The patient will not be able to stand up straight, as the muscles and skin of the stomach have been surgically “shortened”.

It will take time, usually several days, for the patient to be able to walk fully upright. The patient will be very bent over when standing in the initial hours and days after surgery, but this is a situation that gradually rectifies itself as the abdomen realizes its new form and the body adjusts.

Significant pain is not uncommon, but is usually short in duration, lasting only 3-4 days. For most patients, the pain is a feeling like having done 250 sit-ups in an “out of shape” physical condition.

Coughing, laughter and rolling over in bed can cause significant pain. The patient should definitely have a friend, family member or home health aide available for at least a week after surgery to help with getting out of bed, using the toilet, etc.

A compression garment, or elastic girdle, is put on the patient immediately following closure in the operating room. This girdle is to be worn for a minimum of one month following surgery, preferably six weeks.

The patient will need to stay in the hospital following surgery for 24-48 hours

Although the incision in the lower abdomen is long, extending from hipbone to hipbone, if it is done with precision and care it is easily hidden beneath normal bikini underwear or bikini bathing suit. There is normally no need to wear brief style underwear or one-piece bathing suit.

However, it can take up to a year for the scar to fade to the patient’s liking.

The result is a taught, smooth, flat abdomen. With the exception of subsequent pregnancy, the results are long lasting and patients are usually very pleased with their new waistlines and flat tummies.

There is almost always some degree of swelling following surgery, but this usually fully dissipates within 3-6 months. There is always numbness of the abdomen to varying degrees, often lasting up to 6 months or a little longer.

In cases of moderate to severe obesity, the patient may need to go back in for a little additional liposuction after about 6 months to remove any superficial fat that was missed at surgery.

A tummy tuck is major abdominal surgery including superficial, subdermal and muscular incisions and suturing. For this reason, the patient should plan on a recovery period of 3-4 weeks, only the first week or so of that being full bed rest.

Even during the first week, it is important that the patient gets out of bed several times a day and walks for a tolerable period of time to avoid complications of unwanted blood clotting (deep venous thrombosis). It is important for the patient to understand that superior self-care in both the pre- and post-surgical period is vital. Sutures will be removed in 7-10 days after surgery.

If the patient plans to have children, it is not advisable to have a tummy tuck until after all desired pregnancies.

As in all cases, the degree of scarring varies from patient to patient. Should the scar be too unsightly and unacceptable to the patient, it is possible to revise the scar following one year post-operatively.

Though rare, possible complications include a zone of loss of sensation or vitality (necrosis) of the abdomen, seroma requiring aspiration (suction).

CITATION: The preceding was an exerpt from
"How to Get High-Quality Plastic Surgery...CHEAP!"
available online now at many international booksellers, including Amazon.com

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