What is Abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty, also known as “abdominoplasty” in the medical literature, is a surgical procedure that aims to remove excess skin and fat tissue from the abdominal area and tighten loose abdominal muscles. This operation is usually preferred in cases such as postpartum sagging, rapid weight loss, or sagging skin caused by various reasons. The surgery offers significant benefits in terms of both aesthetics and health.
Who is Suitable for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
A tummy tuck may be a suitable option for individuals who:
- Women experiencing postpartum sagging
- Individuals who have experienced major weight loss
- Patients with abdominal muscle separation (diastasis)
- People who have problems with cracks and loosening of the skin
However, surgery is not recommended for individuals who are still in the weight loss process, planning a pregnancy, or have serious health problems.
Can You Lose Weight With Tummy Tuck Surgery?
This operation does not allow patients to lose their excess weight. A healthy diet and regular exercise are necessary for the weight loss process. Abdominoplasty only corrects body contours by removing excess skin and fat tissue in the abdominal area. Rapid weight gain after surgery can lead to undesirable appearances and widening of scars. For this reason, it is important to monitor weight and pay attention to diet after the operation.
Which Surgery Method is Suitable?
Abdominoplasty is performed using two main techniques:
- Mini Abdominoplasty: This method, which is preferred for patients with limited sagging only in the lower belly area, offers the advantage of shorter recovery time and less scarring.
- Total Abdominoplasty: Muscle tightening is performed by intervening in both the upper and lower abdominal areas. This method is suitable for individuals with greater sagging problems.
Preparation Process for Surgery
The preparation process for surgery is very important. Here are the points to consider:
- Quit smoking at least 4 weeks before the operation
- Maintaining weight control and avoiding overeating
- Planning the season and daily life as the use of a corset will be required after the surgery.
Can Belly Fat Be Removed?
If the patient has localized fat in the abdominal area, liposuction (fat removal) can also be performed in the same session. This procedure makes the waist-hip transition more aesthetic and provides contour correction. However, this decision is evaluated individually for each patient.
When Can I Return to Work?
Patients are usually discharged within 1 day after tummy tuck surgery. It is not recommended to return to work within the first 5 days. However, individuals with desk jobs can return to their daily lives within 1 week. Walking while bending forward, lying on their back, heavy lifting and sports activities should be avoided for the first 2 weeks after surgery. It is also important to use a corset, not to smoke and to avoid sexual activity after the surgery.
Surgical Scars and Healing Process
Although the scars that form after surgery do not completely disappear, they are usually not noticeable from the outside because they are under underwear. The total healing process can take up to 1 year. The scars, which are visible for the first few months, become lighter and more indistinct over time. The visibility of the scar varies from person to person, and factors such as smoking and sleeping position can affect the healing process.
Risks of Surgery
As with any surgical procedure, tummy tuck surgery carries some risks. Although rare, complications such as hematoma (blood accumulation), wound opening, infection or scarring may occur after the operation. Therefore, it is important that the procedure is performed under sterile conditions and by a specialist plastic surgeon. In patients who smoke, wound healing may be seriously impaired. In addition, if the walking and lying positions are not followed after the surgery, the stitches may come loose. Therefore, all instructions should be followed completely and check-ups should not be skipped.
Psychological Effects of Surgery
Abdominoplasty can have positive effects on psychological well-being as well as physical appearance. Increased self-confidence allows people to feel more comfortable in many areas, from clothing choices to holiday plans. A significant increase in the quality of life of individuals who have difficulty wearing swimsuits or bikinis, especially in the summer months, is observed. In addition, patients feel more comfortable in social environments and express that their self-confidence increases when looking in the mirror.
