Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty) - All You Need to Know!

Tummy tuck helps trim away excess fat or skin easily. It is a transformative journey for people who have been through major physical changes. For example, pregnancy or major weight loss.

Over time, these experiences leave behind stretched skin and weakened muscles that are difficult to fix with just diet and exercise. The surgery goes deeper than surface-level changes and tightens the abdominal muscles and reshaping the midsection.

If you are someone considering this surgery, the following sections will help you navigate through it. With this surgery, you can regain your confidence in bodies that have worked hard.

What is a Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a groundbreaking surgery for patients with loose skin or excess fat. Apart from being a way to improve appearance, it is useful if you wish to remove excess skin or tighten abdominal muscles.

It also helps people who have previously experienced major weight loss or pregnancy-related changes. Beyond cosmetic benefits, some patients also express benefits in posture, comfort and relief from urinary incontinence due to weakened core muscles.

Yes, we did not make a typo there, tummy tuck surgery is more than what the myths make it out to be. It is an effective procedure that helps boost confidence and improve the quality of life for individuals.

Talk to anyone who’s had this surgery and their tummy tuck before and after will surprise you. You’ll hear a pride in their voice when they describe their smooth silhouette and the relief at finally saying goodbye to stubborn skin.

And often they’ll also tell you how their life has become easier. These transformations clearly go beyond looks. So, who benefits from this surgery? The following section will give you a better understanding.

What is Abdominoplasty Used For?

“What is abdominoplasty used for?” is a common query among people inquiring about the procedure. If you have the following conditions you can find relief with this surgery:

• Belly pooch that bothers you too much

• Loose skin that affects your self-esteem and confidence.

• Ventral hernia.

• Chronic back pain because of weak abdominal muscles.

• Stress urinary incontinence.

• Significant body changes from major weight loss, pregnancy-related abdominal separation, aging or previous surgeries that altered abdominal structure.

Instances when tummy tuck is not recommended

You may have to postpone the surgery if you have:

• Uncontrolled diabetes,

• Active heart disease, or other such conditions

• Plans for future pregnancies

• Significant weight fluctuations

• Some autoimmune disorders

Surgery Types: Tummy Tuck Before and After to Expect!

Here are the different types of tummy tuck surgery options that your surgeon may recommend to help you reach your goal:

1. Mini tummy tuck (Partial abdominoplasty): This is best for those with a small “pooch” below the belly button. You can expect a shorter incision and quicker recovery. It is perfect if you are closer to your ideal weight, but want a refined lower abdomen.

2. The full tummy tuck (Complete abdominoplasty): This is best if you are looking for a way to remove excess skin. This also helps with muscle separation as it involves a hip-to-hip incision with belly button repositioning. This type repairs diastasis recti as a bonus.

3. 360-degree transformation (circumferential tummy tuck): This is best for patients with massive weight loss. It addresses excess skin around the entire torso and may be combined with body lift procedures.

4. Fleur-de-lis surgery: Called so due to the appearance of the incision, this surgery requires vertical and horizontal incisions. On the abdomen, it makes a 'T' shape that resembles a lily flower (fleur-de-lis). This is great for people who have recently lost a lot of weight (1000 pounds or 45 Kg.)

These were all the popular types of tummy tuck surgeries that you may be recommended during your consultation. Depending on your concerns and needs, you may choose one.

What to expect? 

Before the surgery you’d have excess skin in the abdominal or other area of concern, and after it, you can expect a permanent result with a healthy lifestyle.

Tummy Tuck Procedure Details

When getting the tummy tuck surgery, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. These help you prepare for the surgery. Let’s have a look:

Pre-surgery check-up

This is a common step among several surgeries, and similarly, your plastic surgeon will recommend a few tests that help them know all about your condition. They can also order the following during this time:

1. Medical history

2. General history

3. Previous surgeries you may have undergone

4. Goals and expectations you have with the procedure

Surgery

After the tests and analysis, the surgeon gives you the green signal for the surgery. Now is the step for you to undergo several different steps, such as:

• Anesthesia: Typically general anesthesia.

• Incision: The incision is made as per the type of tummy tuck type.

• Skin and fat removal: Following the incision, the excess skin and fat are removed.

• Muscle tightening: This is an important step as it includes rearranging the skin and muscles to give a toned, smooth look.

• Skin redraping: This proceeds to the next step, which is giving a clean look to the surgery. The remaining skin is sutured in place after all the reshaping and removal is complete.

• Belly button reshaping in case of a full tummy tuck, where a new opening helps reposition the belly button.

• Closure: The incisions are closed with sutures, which helps create a smooth and more contoured abdomen.

• Recovery: Patients require a certain period of recovery, which helps their new surgery to “set.” This follows the surgeon’s instructions on the recovery.

Post-surgery Check-up

This follows the initial recovery period and continues for 3-12 months until the full recovery of the patient. During this period, you may experience discomfort; however, reach out to your doctor in the following cases:

• Excessive bleeding

• Severe pain

• Swelling

• Fluid or pus leaking from the incision site

Apart from these, if you experience discomfort or significant issues even after a week or two, it is a cause for concern, and you must reach out to your surgeon.

Cost of Tummy Tuck Surgery

If you think something as dramatic as this surgery must cost an arm and a leg, we have good news! Wondering what you’ll be paying for the surgery? Prices can differ depending on various factors and smart medical tourism can save you thousands without compromising on qualities.

The abdominoplasty cost can range anywhere from $3,000 to $17,000. This includes the estimate for countries with top-notch surgeons and facilities such as Turkey, the US, India, Thailand, and Malaysia, among others.

Precautions/Considerations Before the Surgery

Now that you have a fair idea about the procedure and whether you should opt for it, here’s a reminder to help you further:

• A tummy tuck is a great option if you’d like to flatten and smooth out your abdominal area after undergoing significant physical changes

• This is a significant help that can give prolonged results only with proper adherence to the lifestyle changes your surgeon recommends

• If you are considering growing your family after the surgery, be sure to speak to your surgeon.

Care at Yapita Health

Everyone wants to feel and look their best, but sometimes our bodies need a little external help to get there. It is common to consider a tummy tuck as an option if it aligns with your needs and expectations.

Navigating this decision requires skilled and compassionate experts who can help you make an informed decision. At Yapita Health, we get you in touch with top surgeons from world-class medical locations such as Turkey, India, and the US.