A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a type of major cosmetic surgery that serves to flatten the abdominal region. This is achieved by the removal of excessive fat and skin. During the tummy tuck procedure the muscles of the abdominal wall are also tightened.

The Surgical Procedure

The tummy tuck procedure is most often done by way of general anesthesia. In some instances it may be performed under local anesthesia with a sedative being given to the patient. However the latter can often lead to a fair amount of discomfort during the procedure. The surgery can take anywhere from two to five hours to perform from start to finish.

The surgeon begins by making a long incision across the abdomen that runs from the bone of one hip to the other. The incision has a shape that resembles a smile that is more flat on the bottom than curved. The flat part of the “smile” incision is to be found slightly above the pubic area. The side portions of the smile are gently curving and extend along the pelvis, continuing up to the top portion of the hip bone.

The surgeon will then make another incision around the area where the belly button is located. This incision is made in order to free it from all of the abdominal tissue.

The next part of the tummy tuck procedure involves the skin being carefully separated from the walls of the abdomen. The surgeon will continue to separate it up to the ribs and to the point where the vertical abdominal muscles (or rectus muscles) are exposed. It is very common in women who have had multiple pregnancies for these muscles to be stretched a great deal.

The surgeon will then take the rectus muscles and stitch them into a more appropriate position that lends itself to a flatter abdomen. This will make a difference in terms of tightening the muscles and decreasing the waistline.

Once the muscles have been placed in a new position and tightened, the excess skin is then stretched and taken away. The skin that is left is then redraped over the abdomen and sutured. The belly button is then brought out again. It may be slightly repositioned but the difference from its former location will be very small.

Tummy tucks are performed in a hospital under general anesthesia and are most often done on an inpatient basis. Expect to stay in the hospital for anywhere from one to three days time (or more if you experience any complications).

Tummy tuck surgery recovery begins as soon as you wake up following the surgery. You will experience a certain level of pain and discomfort when you first wake up. This could last for the first couple of days. The surgeon can prescribe you pain medication if you need it.

Be aware that your abdominal area will be bruised and swollen and you may experience a minimum of bleeding in the area of the surgical site. If you notice that you feel some numbness localized around your belly button or under it then do not worry- this is perfectly normal. Some patients may experience nausea and vomiting afterwards in relation to the anesthesia.

Part of tummy tuck surgery recovery involves wearing a special pressure garment over the abdominal region to reduce swelling and to facilitate the healing process. Another strong recommendation for tummy tuck surgery recovery is for the patient to wear anti-thrombosis compression stockings for the first couple of days following the surgery.

The purpose for the stockings is that they help to reduce the potential for the development of blood clots (also known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT) and they support the proper circulation of blood in the legs so blood does not pool but flows as it is supposed to. The plastic surgeon will instruct you to keep both the pressure garment as well as the stockings on at all times except when you bathe yourself.

It is important that you listen carefully to the instructions that the plastic surgeon gives you and that you read over the post operative pamphlet carefully and follow what it says. You will be told how to care for your bandages and when it is permissible to take a bath or shower. You will also be told when you should return to have your stitches removed.

Traditional Tummy Tuck

The traditional tummy tuck procedure (also known as a traditional abdominoplasty) is one in which an individual (male or female) has lost a considerable amount of weight and has been left  with a great deal of loose, droopy skin that bothers them. This can also occur as a result of aging. The plastic surgeon removes the sagging excess skin during the tummy tuck procedure.

Mini Tummy Tuck

The mini tummy tuck, also known as a partial abdominoplasty, is not as invasive as the traditional tummy tuck and generally involves a shorter period of recovery. Those who make good candidates for this type of procedure are people who have a small area of skin on their abdomens that they want to get rid of because of its sagging look. However, these individuals are not people who have an abdominal muscle wall that protrudes.

Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck procedure is also called an expanded abdominoplasty. Excess skin is removed from the sides of the patient as well as the hip region and flanks. What is often referred to as “love handles” is removed. This tummy tuck was developed because some patients don’t just have abdominal fat but excess fat on their sides and back as well.

Endoscopic Tummy Tuck

The endoscopic tummy tuck (also sometimes called a “scarless tummy tuck”) is very similar in nature to the mini tummy tuck only in this case an instrument called an endoscope is used in order to reduce the size of the scar that is left following the surgery. Having good skin elasticity is a must for this type of surgery. An endoscopic tummy tuck is best for those who have a protruding abdomen but very little loose or saggy skin.

Circumferential Tummy Tuck

A circumferential tummy tuck involves more work than a traditional tummy tuck. This procedure is best for people who have had some type of weight loss surgery done and now have loose, droopy skin not just in their abdominal area but all over their body. This tummy tuck involves a great deal of work for the surgeon and can bring with it very dramatic results for the patient.

Tummy tuck surgery is most suitable for people who are an average weight but who have loose, droopy and stretched skin that they want gone from their midsections. For example, tummy tucks are commonly sought by women after they have finished having babies but don’t want to have to look at (much less live with) the droopy unflattering skin on their abdomen any longer.

In some cases, tummy tuck surgery is sought out by those who wish to repair muscles in their abdomens that have become weak for any number of reasons. Weak abdominal muscles can lead to health problems. One of the most common of these is back pain. For this reason, this type of tummy tuck operation is a form of reconstructive surgery as opposed to cosmetic surgery. In other words, it is done to help a medical condition as opposed to just improve the look of the area.

If you have tummy tuck surgery for an aesthetic reasons then it is not likely that your insurance company will cover even a partial amount of the total cost. However if it is done for reconstructive purposes, then that is a very different story. Always find out what your insurance company will and will not cover before you get too excited about the prospect of having the surgery.

There are some people that would be well advised to wait before they go ahead with the plastic surgery procedure. If you are overweight or obese then you will not make a good candidate. You need to do what is necessary to lose weight and get yourself to a healthy weight before you look seriously at this type of surgery. Once you have lost a sufficient amount of weight you then need to wait for still longer in order for your weight to stabilize. Tummy tuck surgery is best for those who have had a stable weight for at least six to eight months

The recovery time for tummy tuck surgery can leave you frustrated as you are most likely anxious to view the end result. It is important that you bear in mind that your body needs sufficient time to recuperate as you had skin removed from your body and muscles that were tightened. Some patients also have liposuction at the same time which means that they also had fat extraction from the abdominal area. This may lengthen the recovery period.

In most cases for your tummy tuck surgery recovery you can expect to need to take off at least a week to two weeks from work in order to relax at home and heal properly. If you suffer complications from the surgery you might need to be off longer. Some patients are off as long as three weeks to a month. The important thing is that you allow yourself the time you need to heal and do not put any undue pressure or strain on yourself.

It could take you a number of weeks and up to a couple of months for tummy tuck surgery recovery to completely allow you to feel like your old self again. It might also be awhile before the swelling and bruising subsides enough for you to really get to see and enjoy the new and improved look of your abdomen. Individuals who were in overall good physical condition preceding the surgery may have a shorter recuperation period than those who were in worse shape.

Use the time you have at home to relax and rest. Do not lift anything heavy. If you have any questions then do not hesitate to contact the surgeon’s office right away. It is also imperative that you follow the surgeon’s instructions for your post-operative care. These instructions are given for your benefit after all!

Certain medical conditions can put you at a higher risk for complications. If you suffer from diabetes or have ever had blood clots then this is something that the plastic surgeon should be aware of so it can be included on the file that will be started for you. Even if you personally have never suffered from a blood clot but have a family history, make sure you mention it.

If you suffer from cardiovascular disease, lung disease or have any circulation problems and/or are taking medication for such, let the surgeon know this. It is vital information. In fact any serious medical condition you have (or have had in the past) needs to be communicated with your plastic surgeon. Some conditions will disqualify you from having the tummy tuck surgery because they could put your health at too much of a risk. Plastic surgery is as serious a kind of surgery as any other and must be treated in the same manner as other types of surgery- with utmost care and attention to significant details.

Have you ever had surgery done in your abdominal area that has left a scar? If yes then this information is pertinent for the plastic surgeon to know before a decision about your surgery is made. A scar from a past operation may not seem to be a big deal to you but it is important because scars that are located above the belly button could potentially be more obvious after tummy tuck surgery is completed. Therefore if the surgeon is apprised of this fact before the surgery he can work to make sure that the scar will not stand out that much.

Tummy tuck surgery is a relatively safe procedure that will produce results that will leave you smiling. However it never hurts to be aware that there is risk involved. Being realistic about all aspects of the surgical procedure is essential. No one should say yes to plastic surgery without gathering all of the facts first.