tummy tuck is surgery of the abdomen cosmetic surgery that involves removing excess skin and fat from the upper and lower abdomen and allows you to tone the muscles of the abdominal wall. Abdominoplasty serves to improve the appearance of a relaxed and / or prominent abdomen by eliminating excess skin, localized accumulation of fat and laxity of the abdominal muscles.
WHO IS THIS TYPE OF INTERVENTION FOR?
The abdominal surgery is particularly suitable for those who despite having a good physical shape have a significant accumulation of fat (belly) or excessive laxity of the abdominal wall that cannot be improved either with diet or with exercise . Abdominoplasty is therefore in great demand by men and also by women who have had one or more pregnancies or by patients who due to advanced age, a drastic weight loss or previous surgical operations present a relaxation of the abdominal muscles and a loss of skin elasticity that can no longer be recovered.
ARE THERE AGE LIMITS FOR SUBJECTING THE ABDOMINOPLASTY?
There are no age limits to undergo this surgical procedure, but it is preferable to postpone the intervention in women who are planning future pregnancies, as the increase in intra- abdominal pressure could again separate the muscles that were repaired during the tummy tuck surgery . Overweight patients should undergo a diet first and only after an abdominoplasty surgery to avoid having to resort to the plastic surgeon again to eliminate excess skin resulting from future weight loss.
WHAT OTHER INTERVENTIONS CAN BE CARRIED OUT TOGETHER WITH THE ABDOMINOPLASTIC?
Abdominoplasty can be performed alone or in combination with other surgical techniques such as liposuction, thigh lift or other cosmetic surgery.
ABDOMINOPLASTY: WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS OF THIS TYPE OF INTERVENTION?
Abdominoplasty is a relatively complex surgical procedure. When this type of intervention is performed by a plastic surgery specialist, expert in body contouring and authorized structures, the results are generally very good and the risks of tummy tuck are certainly lower. However, this is a real surgical procedure where complications (bleeding, seroma, loss of sensitivity of the abdominal region and infection) are rare but can happen and be easily resolved only if the intervention is performed by a specialist within duly equipped facilities. To reduce the risks of tummy tuckand therefore complications, it is still essential to carefully follow the advice and instructions that the surgeon will give you before and after the operation. Smokers should decrease the use of cigarettes because smoking can increase the risk of complications and cause healing delays.
ABDOMINOPLASTY BEFORE AND AFTER: HOW DOES THE PRE-OPERATIVE VISIT WORK?
L ‘ tummy tuckit is a very personalized intervention which, as such, requires an accurate specialist visit. During the first visit, the surgeon will have to evaluate the quantity and location of the fat deposits in the abdomen, the elasticity of the skin, any excess skin and the tone of the muscles of the abdominal wall, and illustrate the objectives and aesthetic results. that you can get. The surgeon will also have to evaluate your health to rule out the presence of changes (such as high blood pressure, clotting or scarring problems) that could affect the final result of the surgery. Before the operation you will receive specific instructions relating to pre and post-operative nutrition, the intake of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. At the end of the visit, the surgeon, in agreement with you, will choose the most suitable surgical procedure for your case. If the muscle tone and elasticity of the skin are good and you want to eliminate an accumulation of fat located in the abdominal region, it may be sufficient to proceed to aliposuction of the abdomen or a liposculpture. If fat storage and excess skin are limited to the area below the navel, a less complex surgery called mini abdominoplasty can be performed . If, on the other hand, the deposit of fat and the other imperfections described above are also located in the upper part of the abdomen and on the sides, it will be necessary to proceed with a complete abdominoplasty, sometimes combined with a liposuction. Finally, if the fat deposit and excess skin are located not only in the anterior region of the abdomen and on the sides, but also in the posterior dorsal region (frequently as a result of pathological obesity) then it will be necessary to perform a circumferential tummy tuck.
WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHESIA IS PRACTICED?
The tummy tuck is normally performed under general anesthesia and in hospitalization for two nights. In some cases (small abdominoplasty, mini abdominoplasty or small liposuction) the intervention can be performed under local or locoregional anesthesia and in a day hospital setting.
ABDOMINOPLASTIC SCARS: WHERE ARE THE ENGRAVINGS MADE?
In the tummy tuck operation the incision is made above the pubic region and the surgeon will be responsible for personalizing the scar so that it always remains hidden inside the slip.
In fact, it is very important that the scar is always hidden, whether it is a mini tummy tuck, a traditional tummy tuck , or a circumferential tummy tuck .
- good predisposition to patient healing;
- good quality of the suture performed by the surgeon, with the use of the best materials and suture threads;
- the care that the patient has of the scar in the following 12-18 months after surgery, time necessary for the scar to fully mature, through ointments, compression, etc.
the abdominal wall.
skin and fat.
of the tummy tuck.
HOW LONG DOES THE INTERVENTION LAST?
The tummy tuck surgery lasts about an hour to three hours, is painless and ends with a bandage that you will have to keep for about three weeks.
WHAT IS THE POST-OPERATIVE COURSE?
In the 48 hours following the tummy tuck operation you will have to rest with your legs flexed and your back raised. Starting from the third day you can resume a normal life but avoid strenuous activities, saunas and Turkish baths. In the first two days, swelling and bruising may appear around the treated region. After 7-10 days you can resume your work if not too tiring. Three weeks after the surgery, you will gradually resume all normal activities including sports.
WHAT TYPE OF RESULT CAN BE OBTAINED WITH THE ABDOMINOPLASTY?
Abdominoplasty, both partial and complete, generally gives very good results. If you have the foresight to follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly, the results obtained with this type of intervention will be practically permanent.
ABDOMINOPLASTY: COSTS
How much does tummy tuck cost? The tummy tuck surgery has a very variable price depending on the type of surgery that is performed (mini tummy tuck, tummy tuck with or without liposuction, circumferential tummy tuck), the anesthesia practiced (spinal or general) and the type of hospitalization (Day Hospital or ordinary hospitalization).
The cost of mini tummy tuck can vary from € 6,000 to € 8,000.
The of cost ‘ tummy tuck traditional can fluctuate between 8,000 € and 12,000 €.
The c osto of ‘ tummy tuck circumferential can range from € 10,000 to € 16,000.
ABDOMINOPLASTIC FAQ
Q. I am 44 years old. After three pregnancies and because of the considerable weight gains resulting from them, my belly is protruding and drooping. I would like to resort to a tummy tuck surgery but I am afraid that it will be painful and that I will have bad scars.
A. The tummy tuck surgery is definitely indicated to solve your problem as the tummy tuck allows you to remove excess skin and fat from the upper and lower abdomen and to tone the muscles of the abdominal wall. However, I advise you to undergo a specialist examination as the plastic surgeon will be able to illustrate the most suitable type of treatment for your case.
Generally, if the muscle tone and elasticity of the skin are good and you want to eliminate the accumulation of fat located in the abdominal region, it may be sufficient to proceed with a liposuction or a liposculpture. If, on the other hand, the deposit of fat and excess skin are limited to the area below the navel, it is possible to carry out a less complex surgery called mini abdominoplasty. If, on the other hand, the deposit of fat and the laxity of the abdominal wall also involve the upper part of the abdomen and the hips, it will be necessary to proceed with a complete abdominoplasty, sometimes combined with a liposuction. L ‘ tummy tuckit is normally performed under general anesthesia with hospitalization for two nights. In some cases (mini abdominoplasty or small liposuction) the intervention can be performed under local or locoregional anesthesia and in the day hospital regime.
In the 2-3 days immediately following the operation you will feel a slight pain, tension in the treated region and difficulty in bending the torso towards the legs. These annoyances will disappear after 7-10 days. As for the scars, I remind you that in abdominoplasty the incision is made above the pubic region and therefore it remains hidden inside the slip.
Q. How long after pregnancy can I undergo a tummy tuck or liposuction operation in the abdomen?
A. The time that must elapse after giving birth before undergoing surgery depends both on the patient’s health conditions and on the type of intervention he intends to face. Generally it is recommended to postpone tummy tuck surgery in women who are planning future pregnancies, as the increase in intraabdominal pressure could separate the muscles that were repaired during the tummy tuck surgery. In the case of liposuction, the intervention can be carried out even after a few months.
Q. Is it possible to be exposed to the sun after a tummy tuck operation?
A. Yes, but it is not recommended to expose the scar to the sun for at least 12 months because it could pigment and become more visible.
Q. After how long after the tummy tuck operation will I be able to start exercising again and resume my sports activities?
A. Generally, one month after the operation, it is possible to resume all normal activities including sports, provided that these are not sports that directly involve the abdominal muscle groups.
