Having a flat stomach is something that most of the people desire for, but not everyone is eager to work for it. Losing the shape and firmness of abdomen can lead to dissatisfaction with the body shape which can often eventually cause depression and low self-esteem.
There are a lot of cases where the weight loss is not quite possible, the best solution to have a flat abdomen is a abdominoplasty procedure Thanks to the successful abdominoplasty surgeries carried out by MediExpert, there are now ways to beat the excessive fat and have a well shaped flat tummy.
WHAT IS ABDOMINOPLASTY?
Abdominaplasty is also known as ‘tummy tuck’ which is a cosmetic surgery performed in order to improve the apperance of abdomen. It flattens and rehapes the area by tightening muscles as well as removing excess skin and fat with the target being a firmer and tighter abdomen.
REASONS BEHIND OF LOSING THE SHAPE OF ABDOMEN
The following are the main factors triggering the shape of abdomen loss.
- Ageing
- Pregnancy
- Heredity
- Excessive weight loss/gain
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIADTE FOR AN ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY?
Abdominoplasty is a highly distinguished procedure. We advise for the patient to take a decision personally and not to act only to meet someone else’s desires. Studies indicate that best results can be achieved in indivuals who are as close to their body weight as possible.
You are a good abdominoplasty candidate if you have one or more of the following conditions:
- Fatty tissue that's concentrated in the abdomen or around the area of your bellybutton
- A weakened and seperated abdominal muscles
- A sagging or excess abdominal skin
- Previously had a liposuction procedure and didn't quite improve the appearance of your abdomen
- An abdomen that extends and is not balanced with the rest of the body
- Look of your abdomen bothering you
UNDERSTANDING WHAT TYPES OF ABDOMINOPLASTY ARE AVAILABLE
MediExpert will suggest one of the three types of abdominoplasty available depending on the patient’s aesthetic goals
MINI TUMMY TUCK
Mini tummy tuck is also known as ‘mini abdominoplasty’ used only for the removal of fat tissues and saggy skin, neither for tightening of muscles nor for navel repositioning. This is ideal for individuals who are willing to get rid of their undesired bellies in the lower abdominal area which is under the belly button.
The procedure does not involve the seperation of abdominal muscles which is mainly caused by an excessive weight loss/gain and pregnancy. A typical mini tummy tuck has a shorther incision, shorther surgery duration and quicker recovery period in comparison to a full tummy tuck.
FULL TUMMY TUCK
Full tummy tuck is also known as ‘full abdominoplasty’ or ‘classic tummy tuck’ is used when individuals need to address the full length of the abdominal wall, the sections below and above of their belly button. In a full tummy tuck, it is quite often inevitable for the belly button to be repositioned as the skin will be pulled down over the belly.
This technique is considered to be the most invasive that resolves the conditions of individuals with excess amount of skin, general roundness and lax muscles. Losing the natural shape of these muscles usually caused by weight fluctations and pregnancy.
In this procedure, one u-shape or one horizontal incision is made just above pubic bone across the lower abdomen, often from hip to hip. The incision will try to be kept within average swimming costume lines, so that it can be covered by a bikini. Fat and skin are disjoined (loosened away?) from the abdominal muscles up to the bottom of the rib cage.
A second incision incision possibly made around the belly button area often followed by the removal of the fat below the button as well as all the skin. Respectively, abdomen muscles are tightened and one or two drains are placed beneath the skin in order to minimize the risk of infectionby collecting the excessive fluid.
A full tummy tuck procedure achieve a well-shaped and firmer along with demonstrating the most natural looking results.
EXTENDED TUMMY TUCK
Extended tummy tuck is also known as ‘extended abdominoplasty’ used when individuls need to address the abdomen by targeting the hips and flanks simultaneously. In this procedure, a lateral horizontal incision is made as well as a longer vertical incision which let the surgeon for the removal of excess skin from the lower and upper abdominal areas including the flanks at the same time tightening the abdominal wall.
It is ideal for the individuals who had multiple pregnancies and have lost a lof weight either through weight surgery or through exercise and diet. This procedure can also prevent the formation of “muffin tops” or side bulges that form in individuals who underwent a standard abdominoplasty or liposuction when an extended abdominoplasty would have been a more suitable procedure for them. Altough it involves a longer incision, occuring scar from an extended tummy tuck can often well hidden by most of the swimming costumes.
BEFORE THE SURGERY
Following needs to carried out prior to the surgery in order to ensure that the patient is healthy enough for the procedure:
- Stay away from smoking and alcohol for a few weeks
- Undertake extensive medical tests
- Avoid all sorts of blood thinners
- Any other medications will also be checked thoroughly as they might lead to complications
STEPS IN A TUMMY TUCK PROCEDURE
Tummy tuck considered to be a major cosmetic surgery. The following steps are taken in a common procedure. Some of the steps may vary in accordance with the technique applied as well as the extent of surgery required. MediExpert’s surgeon will clearly discuss the details of the steps to be taken during the consultation prior to the surgery.
MediExpert believes that when the patient is aware of what to expect from a surgery will result for the patient to reduce her nervousness and will be well prepared to handle the surgery.
ADMINISTRATION OF ANESTHESIA
A typical tummy tuck procedure is performed under a general anesthesia. However, in some cases intravenous sedation is also applied or a combination of both. MediExpert’s surgeon’s will provide you the best solution consulting the patient.
OPENNING INCISIONS
After the anesthesia applied, MediExpert surgeon will place the incisions in the abdominal area. The number and the length of incisions will differ according to the type of technique performed as well as the amount of excess skin. For instance; a mini abdominoplasty might require a tiny incision below the navel, whereas a circumferential abdominoplasty might include an incision around the entire waist line. A second incision might be required around the navel for the removal of excess skin in the upper abdomen area is some cases.
NAVEL REPOSITIONING
Navel repositioning might be necessary in a considerable number of tummy tuck procedures. It is crucial to make the abdomen lifted and tightened to make it seem more natural. MediExpert surgeon might replace the navel in a more immature location in some cases.
TIGHTENING WEAK MUSCLES
The weak abdominal muscles are then tightened for the waistline to appear narrower and more natural as they might have become loose and weak over time.
REMOVING LOOSE SKIN
After the tightening of the abdominal muscles completed, MediExpert surgeon will pull the skin in downward direction in order to make it tight. The excess loose skin then will be snipped off and the remaining skin is sutured together. In some cases, this process is performed with in combination with liposuction is known as ‘lipoabdominoplasty’ to achieve best results.
CLOSING THE INCISIONS
The skin will be sutured together with stitches after the surgery is completed. MediExpert surgeon will place a drain beneath the skin in order to minimize the risk of infection by collecting the excessive fluid. Removal of the drain may occur before the removal of the stitches within a few days time or sometimes together while the stiches are taken out. At the end of the day, you will end up having a firmer and flatter abdominal outline which will be more balanced with your body weight and type.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER ABDOMINOPLASTY?
Right after the surgery, you will immediately feel that the skin of your abdomen become tight. For the first few days, you will be advised to take short walks every few hours in order to promote blood circulation. You will most likely to walk by slightly bending forward position. This might cause some back discomfort which can be overcome by muscle relaxants.
Bending and lifting should be avoided at this early stage. Sleeping backwards with knees up may also be recommended for the first week after the procedure. Some tenderness, bruising and swelling are considered as a normal cycle of the healing process in which the amount depends on person to person as well as the type of surgery performed.
HOW LONG IS THE ABDOMINOPLASTY PROCEDURE?
It takes typically 2-4 hours depending on the type of tummy tuck procedure to be performed.
IS THERE ANY AGE LIMIT?
Patients must be over 18 to undergo the procedure.
CAN I HAVE AN ABDOMINOPLASTY BETWEEN PREGNANCIES?
MediExpert advise women patients not to undergo an abdominoplasty unless they are finished having children in order to maximize the results of the procedure.
WHAT KIND OF PAIN SHALL I EXPECT AFTER ABDOMINOPLASTY?
The level of pain mainly varies on how extensive the tummy tuck has been. Altough individual may differ, you may expect some amount of pain which is overcome by prescribed pain relievers during this period.
On the other hand, some patients report that the pain is not severe which last within a few days time.
WILL THERE BE ANY SCARS LEFT?
Abdominoplasty is not a scar-free procedure. You tend to have scars that look red which got lighten within 3-6 months and completely fade away within latest 7-12 months. Scars might sometimes be severe and the recovery time varies indeed on the following factors:
- amount of skin to be removed
- technique performed
- ability of the surgeon
- body’s reaction to heal
MediExpert’s priority is to leave the scar in a well hidden spot where it is less visible as possible and the incision will try to be kept within average swimming costume lines, so that it can be covered by a bikini. We advise not to rely on any source where they claim that there will not be any scar left after the procedure. That would be really great, but it is unfortunately not possible. At least may be just not yet.
HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY TIME AND WHEN CAN I GO TO WORK?
Most of the patients go back to their normal activities within couple of weeks time depending on how physically demanding the job is. It is usually 1-2 weeks to return for a desk job and a minimum a month time if the job involves lifting and streching or other actvities requiring hard work.
If drains are placed for the removal of an excessive fluid under the skin, they are generally removed within 4-10 days period after the procedure. Swelling is expected to be diminished after 8-12 weeks and typically 4-8 weeks needed to resume exercise.
SHOULD I NEED TO STAY LONG TIME IN THE HOSPITAL AFTER ABDOMINOPLASTY?
It is typically required to stay overnight for a full and extended tummy tuck procedures, leaving the hospital the day after the procedure. Whereas, it might be necessary to stay at the hospital after a mini tummy tuck.
WHEN WILL THE STITCHES BE REMOVED?
Sutures is often left for about 2 weeks in order to prevent the incisions from opening up and also let the body an additional time to secure the wound.
IS THERE ANY RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS IN ABDOMINOPLASTY?
An abdominoplasty is considered to be a major surgery. As with all the procedures performed with the administration of anesthesia, the risks involved are mainly due to the anesthetic. Altough a bad outcome rarely can occur, some of the risks involved with these procedures are listed below.
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Numbness
- Prolonged swelling
- Fluid accumulation
- Skin discoloration
- Skin loss
DO I HAVE TO WEAR ANY SPECIAL CLOTHES AFTER ABDOMINOPLASTY?
Yes, you will be asked to wear an abdominal pressure garment (corset) around 6 weeks depending on the area covered which usually day and night for the first 3 weeks and only during the day in the remaining 3 weeks. These garments will help to reduce bruises and swelling. Moreover, it will also assist on supporting your abdomen. MediExpert will provide you a detailed instructions on how to use the garments and what exactly needs to be done in to what extent after the abdominoplasty procedure.
HOW CAN I TAKE CARE OF MY CHILDREN?
Tummy tuck procedure is popular especially with women post-pregnancy and childcare is a common concern of all moms. Since lifting even a small child may risk of streching the incision site which might lead to prolonged bleeding, small children need a full-time assistance for the first few weeks after the procedure. If your children is a little older, you should be able to continue your most of your parenting duties including cooking, shopping and driving after the first couple of weeks.
IS ABDOMINOPLASTY AN OBESITY TREATMENT AND CAN HELP ME LOSING WEIGHT ?
According to American Society of Plastic Surgeons study, most overweight patients show lasting weight loss one year after abdominoplasty. Nevertheless, abdominoplasty can not be considered neither a weight loss surgery nor an obesity treatment. Patients should try to lose weight through exercise, diet or weight loss surgery to improve the shape of their midsection.
HOW CAN I DECIDE WHETHER I NEED A FULL OR MINI ABDOMINOPLASTY PROCEDURE?
You are certainly not have to worry about this point. MediExpert will recommend you the most suitable procedure during the consultation taking into account the amount of an excessive fat on your abdomen.
CAN MEN HAVE AN ABDOMINOPLASTY AS WELL AS WOMEN?
MediExpert offers an Abdominoplasty solution for both women and men who are willing to improve the shape of their midsections.
IS ABDOMINAPILASTY SAME AS LIPOSUCTION ?
Abdominoplasty is a different kind of plastic surgery limited only to abdomen, whereas liposuction can be performed on all parts of the body.
CAN MY SCAR MARKS DUE TO BIRTH BE REMOVED?
Abdominoplasty with MediExpert can assist on removing the undesired scar marks.
CAN ABDOMINOPLASTY BE COMBINED WITH OTHER SURGERIES?
Abdominoplasty can well be performed with different kinds of surgeries resulting for the patient not requiring anesthesia more than once and also advantageous in terms of saving time and money. Many patients combine tummy tuck with liposuction and there are also quite a number of patients combining with breast lift surgery and breast augmentation which the procedure is known as 'mommy makeover' .
HOW LONG DO THE RESULTS LAST AND HOW CAN I ACHIEVE THE BEST RESULTS?
Abdominoplasty offer a permanent solution acheiving life-long results as long as keeping your body fit by some physical activity and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Nevertheless, weight gain and future pregnancies can have a negative impact in terms of causing the muscles or skin to lax after returning to your normal weight. It is very important that you hold to undergo a tummy tuck procedure ıf you are still planning to reach your target weight and having more children. With the hands of MediExpert, tummy tuch procedure can simply be a life-changing procedure.
