A flat tummy/abdomen is something almost everyone craves for, but most people are not willing to work for it. However, there are cases where the weight loss is just not possible and in such cases, the best way to a flat tummy is a tummy tuck. Medically known as abdominoplasty surgery or tummy tuck surgery, this is a procedure by which excess fat and skin from the stomach area is removed to create a stomach that is flatter and smoother. The bulge in the tummy/abdomen could be due to age, pregnancy, immense weight fluctuations or even heredity.
Why Abdominoplasty?
- Before the Surgery
Before your tummy tuck, you will be asked to avoid alcohol and smoking for a few weeks. You will also be asked to undergo extensive medical exams and tests, just to ensure that you are healthy enough for the procedure. Your regular course of medication will have to be checked, because if you are on any kind of blood thinners, you will be asked to avoid them for a few days. Medications for other medical conditions might also be altered, as they could lead to complications, during or post-surgery. Since this a proper surgery, you will be asked to get admitted the previous day or at least the morning of the surgery, so that a further set of tests and checks can be made.
- During the Surgery
Since it is a proper surgical procedure, anaesthesia will be required and the surgeon will choose between sedation, anaesthesia or a combination. Making the incisions – The incision will depend on the type of tummy tuck, but for a traditional one, a horizontal incision will be made between starting from the pubic area to the navel. The length will be dependent on the amount of fat that needs to be removed. The excess fat will be removed and the excess skin will be snipped off. The remaining skin will then be pulled up and a new belly button will have to be created. Closing the incisions – Once the procedures have been completed, the incisions will be closed using sutures, stitches, tapes or staples.
- After the Surgery
After the procedure, dressing will be applied to the incision and you will be given instructions as to how care for the same. Drains might also be placed to allow for excess fluids to seep out without any issues and these will be removed within a few days’ time. While your stomach will seem instantly flatter, the actual results will become visible only after a few weeks. You will be advised bed rest for a while and many people have mentioned that they have trouble walking straight or sleeping horizontally. This happens because the stomach has been pulled tight and till the time the stomach muscles loosen up again, this will continue. You will however be asked to walk around as much as possible, after the first few days. Most people will be asked to wear supportive clothing, as these will assist with faster healing as well.
Possible Risks
As is the case with any surgery, there are some risks and complications that can be associated with a tummy tuck too.
- There could be complications related to the anaesthesia being used
- There can be allergic reactions to the medical material being used during or after the surgery
- Since stomach muscles and tissues are being touched, there could be the chance of the blood supply getting affected, which could lead to necrosis.
- If you do develop necrosis, it could lead to massive infections, especially when not treated in time.
- There could also be a blood clot in the body, which is medically known as pulmonary thromboemboli, which will also have to be treated in time.
