Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty)
Tummy tuck surgery is one of the most effective methods that can be used to eliminate the sagging problem in the abdominal area. Tummy tuck operations, medically known as abdominoplasty, are reliable surgeries performed by plastic surgery specialists. Therefore, tummy tuck surgery can be the ideal method for individuals who need abdominal tightening, especially for individuals who need abdominal tightening due to a very advanced sagging problem.
What is Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Tummy tuck surgery is a surgical intervention applied to individuals who have sagging problems in the abdominal area due to various reasons. Within the scope of tummy tuck surgery, procedures such as removing excess fat or skin tissue collected in the area and tightening the abdominal muscles can be performed. All these procedures are performed in order to achieve a flat abdomen that is aesthetic and offers physical relief. Performed by plastic surgery specialists, abdominoplasty is a very advantageous operation if performed under the right conditions. However, tummy tuck surgery that is not performed under appropriate conditions and performed by people who are not experienced in abdominal aesthetics may cause more harm than good.
Abdominoplasty Application Methods
Abdominoplasty application methods may vary depending on the situation. The problem of abdominal sagging is sometimes associated with fat accumulated in the abdominal area and sagging skin tissue, while sometimes it may be associated with relaxation of the abdominal muscles.
In addition, in cases where abdominal recovery is needed after pregnancy, there may be both relaxation in the abdominal muscles and fat and sagging skin tissue in the abdominal area. In line with these situations, abdominoplasty application methods are determined in accordance with the patient’s wishes and needs.
Who is Abdominoplasty Suitable for?
Many people are suitable candidates for tummy tuck surgery. Especially women with multiple pregnancies may need tummy tuck surgery due to the loosening of the muscles in the abdominal area and sagging skin. In addition, individuals who are overweight and lose weight suddenly may need tummy tuck surgery, which is a highly effective abdominal aesthetics, as skin elasticity and abdominal muscles may be damaged. In addition to all these, individuals who experience abdominal deformity as a result of traumatic situations such as an accident may also be eligible for tummy tuck surgery.
Abdominoplasty Candidate Criteria
- Certain criteria have been established for candidates undergoing abdominoplasty, also known as tummy tuck surgery. The criteria for abdominoplasty candidates can be summarized in a few points.
- Being between the ages of 18 and 65
- Not smoking or drinking alcohol (recommended)
- Having skin elasticity that cannot be improved without surgical tummy tuck
- Not being able to achieve results with methods such as abdominal contouring exercises
- Not planning to become pregnant after the surgery
Situations Where Tummy Tuck Surgery is not Suitable
Dans certaines situations, la plastie abdominale n’est pas indiquée. La première situation qui peut vous empêcher d’être un bon candidat pour la plastie abdominale est si vous avez plus de 18 ans ou moins de 65 ans. Toutefois, le critère de l’âge peut être ignoré dans des cas extrêmes et avec l’accord du médecin. En outre, étant donné que des situations telles que la planification d’une grossesse dans un avenir proche peuvent également entraîner une déformation de l’abdomen, de tels projets peuvent également faire de vous une candidate inadaptée à la chirurgie de l’abdomen. En outre, les problèmes de santé qui empêchent l’anesthésie et les problèmes de poids qui relèvent de l’obésité font partie des situations où la plastie abdominale n’est pas indiquée.
Tummy Tuck Surgery Methods
Abdominoplasty methods are methods that have the common goal of tightening the abdomen but differ from each other due to various factors. Tummy tuck surgery methods differ from each other due to various factors such as the size and location of the application area or the procedures to be applied during surgery. Each tummy tuck surgery method has different advantages and therefore different patient profiles. The most commonly used and highly advantageous tummy tuck surgery methods are full tummy tuck and mini tummy tuck. These methods can be discussed under several headings by explaining their areas of effect and application methods.
Full Tummy Tuck (Full Abdominoplasty)
A full abdominoplasty is an ideal procedure for individuals who want body contouring through a series of surgical operations and have sagging problems throughout the abdominal area. As part of full abdominoplasty, excess skin and fat tissue in the abdominal area is removed, the position of the belly button is changed and the abdominal muscles are tightened. A full abdominoplasty is especially ideal for individuals who have lost weight after obesity or morbid obesity and experience abdominal sagging.
Mini Tummy Tuck (Mini Abdominoplasty)
Mini tummy tuck is a tummy tuck surgery method, also known as a tummy tuck. In this operation, abdominal tightening is performed by removing only the excess fat and skin tissue in the lower belly area. This operation is especially ideal for patients who need a tummy tuck after giving birth.
Advantages of Tummy Tuck Surgery
Tummy tuck surgery has many advantages. Many people think that they have an abdominal sagging problem even if they have a small belly and see this problem as a superficial problem. However, this is actually not the case. Especially extremely advanced abdominal sagging problem causes the individual to be negatively affected in many issues from posture to self-confidence, from restriction in choosing clothes to general appearance. Almost all of these negative effects are eliminated in a very advantageous way thanks to the tummy tuck operation. Effects such as abdominal contour correction obtained with tummy tuck surgery are advantageous both physically and psychologically.
Removal of Sagging Skin and Flat Abdominal Appearance
One of the biggest advantages of tummy tuck surgery is the removal of sagging skin. Unfortunately, there is no other way to remove the appearance of sagging skin, as well as to get rid of such excess skin, other than surgery. Methods such as practicing exercises that offer a flat abdomen usually do not remove the dense sagging skin in the abdominal area. With abdominoplasty, the sagging skin is removed together with excess fat tissue and the abdominal muscles are tightened to achieve a flat abdominal appearance.
Tightening the Abdominal Muscles and Aesthetic Posture
Tightening the abdominal muscles can make the overall body appearance more aesthetic. This is the reason why the abdominal tightening operation is within the scope of body shaping operations. A taut and flat abdominal appearance can make the overall posture more aesthetic. Tightening the abdominal muscles can not only contribute to aesthetic posture, but also make it less difficult for you to do exercises that work the muscles in the abdominal area.
Recovery Process After Tummy Tuck Surgery
As with any surgical intervention, the effects of tummy tuck surgery are related to what happens during the postoperative recovery process. It is necessary to be very careful after operations such as tummy tuck surgery, where almost all tissues, including muscle tissue in the region, are partially destroyed. You need to pay attention to many things, especially the recommendations and warnings of your plastic surgeon, such as protecting your abdominal area from impacts or avoiding movements that will cause your abdominal muscles to stretch. Otherwise, you may encounter complications of tummy tuck surgery and your recovery process may not be completed in a healthy way.
Postoperative Care and Recovery
Care after tummy tuck surgery affects how the healing process will go and how long it will last. After tummy tuck surgery, your abdominal area should be dressed for 10 to 13 days and this area should be kept away from water. In addition, you should regularly use the medical corset and medications recommended by your doctor after tummy tuck surgery. In addition to all these, it is very important to protect the abdominal area from impacts after tummy tuck surgery and to avoid movements such as lying down that will stretch the abdominal muscles.
Reduction and Care of Scars After Tummy Tuck Surgery
Scarring after tummy tuck surgery varies according to the person and the situation. For example, even if there is a scar due to a mini tummy tuck operation, this scar is invisible and not disturbing because it will be in line with the underwear elastic. In addition, in order to reduce the scars after tummy tuck surgery, the abdominal area should be kept away from external factors that make the scars permanent, such as sun rays, and regular care should be taken with scar care creams.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is it necessary to wear a corset after tummy tuck surgery?
The use of the corset after tummy tuck surgery should be both day and night for the first 3 to 4 weeks, that is, the corset should never be removed. In addition, in the following period, there may be situations such as using the corset only during the day or only in the evening in order not to cut the support to the muscles. Since the duration of corset use after tummy tuck surgery is determined according to the patient, you need to discuss this situation with your doctor. Otherwise, there may be situations such as your stitches not being sutured due to not using enough corset or not getting the desired tension in your abdominal muscles.
When does edema and swelling disappear after tummy tuck surgery?
When edema and swelling will disappear after tummy tuck surgery is a condition that depends on multiple factors. Methods such as the use of medical corset and cold application can be used to control edema and swelling after tummy tuck surgery. Paying attention to these applications in line with your doctor’s recommendations will help edema and swelling to disappear in a short time. However, in general, edema and swelling after tummy tuck surgery become uncomfortable or completely disappear within 1 – 2 months. If edema and swelling do not go away for a long time after tummy tuck surgery, you should consult your doctor immediately.
When can I return to normal activities after tummy tuck surgery?
The time to return to normal activities after tummy tuck surgery may vary depending on how the healing process progresses. Since the tissues in the abdominal region are damaged during tummy tuck surgery, it is necessary to wait for a certain period of time to return to normal activities. Especially in the first 7 – 10 days, you may not even be able to perform walking movements where your abdominal muscles will be stretched. After 7 – 10 days, you can slowly start to return to your normal activities such as working. However, just in case, you should get approval from your doctor to return to normal activities after tummy tuck surgery.
Will there be sagging again after tummy tuck surgery?
Whether there will be sagging again after tummy tuck surgery may vary depending on the situation. The procedures performed in tummy tuck surgery, such as the under-belly recovery procedure, are permanent unless there are conditions that cause sagging in the abdominal area. Conditions such as multiple pregnancy, excessive weight gain or accidents that cause abdominal deformity may cause you to experience sagging again after tummy tuck surgery. Therefore, tummy tuck surgery is recommended for patients who do not plan to become pregnant and who will watch their weight.
When can sexual intercourse start after tummy tuck surgery?
It is necessary to wait at least 1 – 1.5 months to start sexual intercourse after tummy tuck surgery. The main reason for this situation is that sexual intercourse causes tension in the abdominal area in both men and women. Such tension can cause damage to your already tightened muscle tissues or cause your stitches to break. For this reason, it is necessary to overcome at least 1 – 1.5 months of early recovery period in order to return to your sexual life after tummy tuck surgery. In addition, depending on the situation, you may be able to start sexual intercourse later or earlier in line with your doctor’s approval.
How long will the scars be visible after tummy tuck surgery?
How long the scars will be evident after tummy tuck surgery varies depending on multiple factors. This situation is shaped depending on how the healing process progresses and how long it will take. The full recovery process after tummy tuck surgery is usually completed in 6 – 12 months. Therefore, scars are usually quite noticeable for about 1 year. As the healing is completed, the scar color lightens and may become almost imperceptible over time. In addition, the use of effective medications such as scar creams after abdominoplasty can help the scars become indistinct in a short time.
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