Tummy tuck is popular procedure and involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the waist which cannot be shifted by diet and exercise alone.
There are three types of abdominoplasty:
Complete abdominoplasty
Partial or ‘mini’ abdominoplasty
Extended abdominoplasty
The results are pretty impressive. The removal of excess fat and skin results in a flatter and more toned looking abdomen. It can also be combined with other fat removal surgeries such as liposuction
Who should choose Tummy tuck
If you are in good health, emotionally stable and have realistic expectations about this surgery then you will be considered to be a good candidate.
It helps if you follow a healthy eating and exercise regime as you will need to continue this to ensure that you retain that flatter, tighter abdomen.
Women who have recently had a baby find this surgery useful as it can tighten loose skin which has stretched as a result of their pregnancy.
It can also benefit older patients who notice that the skin around their waist has lost some elasticity. It can also remove excess fat gained as a result of a slowing down of the metabolism. If you are carrying a fair degree of weight then you will be advised to lose that before being considered for surgery.
Both men and women are suitable for this procedure.
Who should not choose Tummy tuck
If you are a woman who is looking to have another baby then it is better to hold off from surgery until your final pregnancy. There is the risk of the recently tightened abdominal muscles separating during pregnancy.
If you have had abdominal surgery before and are left with prominent scarring then this will probably rule you out for surgery.
A full medical history will be taken during your consultation with Dr Deepak Kalia. This will enable him to determine your suitability for this procedure. If you are refused then this will be because he feels it would be detrimental to your health or some other reason. If this does happen then he may be able to suggest a non-surgical alternative.
How should u prepare for Tummy tuck
Dr Deepak Kalia will have given you a list of instructions to follow before your surgery. These will include not taking aspirin,anti-inflammatory medicines or non-prescription medications such as evening primrose oil or ginseng.
They will also include advice about what to eat and drink before your surgery, and what to bring with you on the day.
You will have to take time off work so arrange this with your employer. Everyone is different when it comes to the recovery process but you are looking at two to three weeks at least, away from work.
It is a good idea to arrange for someone to drive you to and from the hospital, and to help you once you are back at home. Either your partner or family member/friend could maybe help here. You will be very tired, sore and swollen for the first few days so ask someone to help you with the normal everyday jobs such as washing, cooking and ironing.
In regard to abdominoplasty, you should avoid any excessive weight loss and over exposure to the sun (this includes the use of sunbeds), as this affect your ability to heal.
If you develop a cold or some other illness just before your surgery then this will postponed until you have recovered.
The day before, pack a small case with nightwear, dressing gown and slippers, toiletries, medications if necessary and a few of your favourite magazines or books.
Leave any valuables such as jewellery at home.
Day of Surgery ( Tummy tuck)
When you get up, have a shower but do not put any make up on. Do a last minute check around the house and then have someone drive you to the hospital or clinic.
When you arrive at the clinic or hospital you will have to go through a standard admissions procedure. This is purely routine and involves you filling in some forms with details of your name, address, age, next of kin etc.
Once you done all this you will be taken to your room and helped to settle in. The medical staff will help you to unpack and put your things away. They are also there to reassure you.
A nurse will come and see you to undertake a series of pre-surgery checks. These include taking a blood and urine sample, taking your blood pressure and measuring your height and weight. You will have a visit from Dr Deepak Kalia. He is there to put your mind at ease and answer any last minute questions that you may have. If you have not already done so then you will be given a consent form to sign. This is what they term ‘informed consent’ and is a statement to the effect that you understand what the procedure is and what the risks are.
Take plenty of time reading through this and if you see anything you don’t understand then ask. Once you are happy with everything in this form then sign it and pass it back to your surgeon.
The length of your procedure and the type of anaesthesia you have depends on whether you are undergoing a full, partial or extended abdominoplasty.
Procedure
The full abdominoplasty takes around two to three hours approximately, and is usually performed under a general anaesthetic.
Dr Deepak Kalia will make a long incision which runs horizontally from one hipbone to the other. This is just above the pubic area. The length of this will depend on how much fat and loose skin you have in the lower abdomen.
He/she will then make a second incision which frees the navel or belly button from the surrounding tissue.
The skin is separated from the abdominal wall and lifts a large flap of skin which shows the vertical muscles in your abdomen. He or she will take hold of these muscles and pull them together into a new position which tightens these muscles. This will firm and tone the abdominal wall as well as slimming the waistline.
Any surplus skin is removed. The flap of skin is pulled down and secured by a series of stitches and dressings are applied. A supporting girdle is also applied.
A new hole will have been cut for your navel which may be stitched in a new place.
Dr Deepak Kalia may insert slim, drainage tubes to remove excess fluid. These are a temporary measure only.
The aim is to position the incision so that the scars will be hidden by your swimwear and underwear.
You are looking at one to two nights in hospital as a result of this procedure.
Post Surgery care
Your recovery will be carefully monitored in a recovery unit. Once the medical staff are satisfied with your recovery then they will arrange for you to be taken back to your room.
Back in your room a nurse will check your dressings and your condition in general. You can expect your abdomen to be sore and swollen for the first few days but you will be given pain medication to deal with this. You will also be given an ample supply of these when you go home.
You may also be given pillows to put behind your knees when you are lying in bed. This is to help reduce any strain on your abdominal muscles.
The support girdle will have to be worn for at least six weeks.
You will find it difficult to stand up straight but you will be encouraged to get up and start walking around as soon as you are physically able to do so. This is to prevent the risk of blood clots and deep vein thrombosis.
After a couple of days you will be able to go home. Dr Deepak Kalia will check that you are well enough to do so and will advise you on showering and taking care of your dressings. He will also advise you on what to do when you get home which means taking things easy for the first few days. Do not overtax yourself or put any strain on your surgical wounds.
He also give you the date of your first aftercare visit.
Once this is done, you will be discharged from hospital.
Benefits of tummy tuck
You will have a firmer, toned and flatter abdomen. If you had some lower abdominal bulge as a result of pregnancy then this will have disappeared. This also includes stretch marks!
Your waist will appear slimmer and this tighter, youthful abdomen will boost your confidence and self-esteem.
You will have a firmer, toned and flatter abdomen. If you had some lower abdominal bulge as a result of pregnancy then this will have disappeared. This also includes stretch marks!
Your waist will appear slimmer and this tighter, youthful abdomen will boost your confidence and self-esteem.
Risks
This is a highly popular and safe procedure. When performed by an experienced, professional surgeon then it generally works well and gives great results.
Nevertheless, there are risks with all types of surgery. There are complications which can happen to any surgical procedure and these include infection, bleeding, haematoma, adverse reaction to anaesthesia and scarring.
Every procedure has risks which are specific to that procedure. In the case of abdominoplasty these are:
Numbness to the thighs or abdomen
This can happen if there has been nerve damage during surgery. It tends to happen below the navel and is usually temporary. Sensation will return but can leave a small area permanently without sensation
Skin or fat necrosis
This is where tissue alongside the abdominal incision dies. This can happen if it has been an extensive abdominoplasty. Necrosis can delay healing tends to be more of a problem in those patients who smoke.
Haematoma
This can occur if blood is not drained via the drainage tubes and collects under the skin. It can form a blood volt in this case.
The results of this surgery are long lasting as long as you follow a sensible diet and exercise routine. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is vital if you want to maintain that slim and shapely waist.
