TUMMY TUCK SURGERY

Tummy Tuck in Mumbai

Tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightening the abdominal muscles. The goal of a tummy tuck is to create a flatter, smoother, and firmer abdominal profile.

The procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia, and involves making a horizontal incision in the lower abdomen, between the pubic hairline and belly button. The length of the incision will depend on the amount of skin that needs to be removed. The surgeon will then lift the skin and fat away from the abdominal muscles and pull the muscles together, creating a tighter abdominal wall. Excess skin and fat are removed, and the remaining skin is pulled down and sutured into place.

Ask the Surgeon

Tummy tucks can be an effective option for people who have excess abdominal skin and fat due to weight loss, pregnancy, or aging, and who have not been able to achieve their desired results through diet and exercise alone. However, it is important to note that tummy tucks are major surgical procedures, and they carry some risks, such as bleeding, infection, and scarring. It is important to discuss the potential risks and benefits with a qualified plastic surgeon before making a decision about whether or not to undergo the procedure.

Why it's done

There are a number of reasons you might have excess fat, poor elasticity of the skin or weakened connective tissue in your abdomen. These include:

tummy tuck can remove loose, excess skin and fat, and tighten weak fascia. A tummy tuck may also remove stretch marks and excess skin in the lower abdomen below the bellybutton. However, a tummy tuck won’t correct stretch marks outside of this area.

Risks

A tummy tuck poses various risks, including:

Fluid accumulation beneath the skin (seroma). Drainage tubes left in place after surgery can help reduce the risk of excess fluid. Your doctor might also remove fluid after surgery using a needle and syringe.
Poor wound healing. Sometimes areas along the incision line heal poorly or begin to separate. You might be given antibiotics during and after surgery to prevent an infection.
Unexpected scarring. The incision scar from a tummy tuck is permanent, but it's typically placed along the easily hidden bikini line. The length and visibility of the scar varies from person to person.
Tissue damage. During a tummy tuck, fatty tissue deep within your skin in the abdominal area might get damaged or die. Smoking increases the risk of tissue damage. Depending on the size of the area, tissue might heal on its own or require a surgical touch-up procedure.
Changes in skin sensation. During a tummy tuck, the repositioning of your abdominal tissues can affect the nerves in the abdominal area, and infrequently, in the upper thighs. You'll likely feel some reduced sensation or numbness. This usually diminishes in the months after the procedure.

How you prepare

A tummy tuck poses various risks, including:

Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions. Talk about any medications you're taking or have taken recently, as well as any surgeries you've had.
Do a physical exam. To determine your treatment options, the doctor will examine your abdomen. The doctor might also take pictures of your abdomen for your medical record.
Discuss your expectations. Explain why you want a tummy tuck, and what you're hoping for in terms of appearance after the procedure. Make sure you understand the benefits and risks of the procedure, including scarring. Keep in mind that previous abdominal surgery might limit your results.
Tissue damage. During a tummy tuck, fatty tissue deep within your skin in the abdominal area might get damaged or die. Smoking increases the risk of tissue damage. Depending on the size of the area, tissue might heal on its own or require a surgical touch-up procedure.
Changes in skin sensation. During a tummy tuck, the repositioning of your abdominal tissues can affect the nerves in the abdominal area, and infrequently, in the upper thighs. You'll likely feel some reduced sensation or numbness. This usually diminishes in the months after the procedure.

Before a tummy tuck you might also need to:

Stop smoking. Smoking decreases blood flow in the skin and can slow the healing process. In addition, smoking increases the risk of tissue damage. If you smoke, your doctor will recommend that you stop smoking before surgery and during recovery.
Avoid certain medications. You'll likely need to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.
Maintain a stable weight. Ideally, you'll maintain a stable weight for at least 12 months before having a tummy tuck. If you're severely overweight, your doctor will recommend that you lose weight before the procedure. Significant weight loss after the procedure can diminish your results.
Arrange for help during recovery. Make plans for someone to drive you home after you leave the hospital and stay with you for at least the first night of your recovery at home.

What you can expect

A tummy tuck is done in a hospital or an outpatient surgical facility. During a tummy tuck, you’ll be under general anesthesia — which makes you completely unconscious and unable to feel pain. In some cases, you might be given a pain-relieving medication and be moderately sedated (partially asleep).

Before the procedure

There are a number of different procedures for a tummy tuck, depending on your goals and the extent of change you would like to see. During the typical tummy tuck, your plastic surgeon makes incisions to remove most of the skin and fat between your bellybutton and pubic hair in a horizontal oval or elliptical shape. Connective tissue (fascia) that lies over the abdominal muscles is then tightened with permanent sutures. The amount of excess skin removed and the type of procedure you have will determine the shape and length of the incision. The incision above the pubic hair will be stitched together and will leave a scar that falls along the natural crease within the bikini line. Your plastic surgeon will also reposition the skin around your bellybutton. Your bellybutton will be brought out through a small incision and sutured in its normal position. During the procedure you might be given an antibiotic to prevent infection. The procedure typically takes about two to three hours.

After the procedure

After a tummy tuck, your abdominal incision and bellybutton will likely be covered with surgical dressing. Small tubes might be placed along the incision site to drain any excess blood or fluid. Members of your health care team will help you walk as early as the first day after a tummy tuck to help prevent the formation of blood clots. You’ll likely be given pain medication. It’s normal to have swelling in the surgical area. Drains might be left in place for several days after surgery. Your doctor or another member of your health care team will show you how to empty and care for your drains. You might need to continue taking an antibiotic as long as the drains are in place.

Your surgeon might also prescribe a blood-thinning medication for a short time after your tummy tuck. You’ll wear a supportive abdominal garment (abdominal binder) for about six weeks after your tummy tuck. This helps prevent fluid buildup and provides abdominal support while you heal. Your doctor will explain how to care for your scar. For the first six weeks after a tummy tuck, you’ll need to be careful when moving around. You’ll also need to avoid positions that strain your incision line — such as quickly bending at the waist — to prevent the reopening of the wound. You’ll need to schedule regular follow-up visits. Ask your doctor how often you need to be seen.

Results

By removing excess skin and fat and strengthening your abdominal wall, a tummy tuck can give your abdomen a more toned and slimmer appearance. Tummy tuck results are usually long lasting if you maintain a stable weight.