ABDOMINOPLASTY
“Tummy tuck” surgery or abdominal tightening (abdominoplasty) is the kind of surgery, which includes removal of the excessive fat at the middle and lower abdominal area, corrections of skin sagging, and tightening of the abdominal muscles, creating a firmer abdominal profile.
Two types of incisions are usually performed in abdominoplasties including one transverse incision at the very bottom of the abdomen (this incision is low enough to be hidden under the bikini bottom) and another one around the umbilicus (navel).
In partial abdominoplasties, these incisions are a little shorter. Sometimes the incision around the navel may be omitted.
After these incisions are performed, the skin is separated from the muscles starting from the groins till the lower part of the chest. The exposed abdominal muscles are tightened by the tension technique and repaired if any weaknesses are present. Then the skin is stretched and sutured appropriately. The excess skin is resected and removed. Then, the sutures are dressed. The thin tubes called drains are placed under the skin to remove the excess fluid, which is usually collected in the operating area.
After an abdominoplasty operation, you will need to stay at the hospital for a duration of 1 to 3 days on the average. After the abdominal tightenings, swelling and pain are observed normally. This situation may sustain for a few days. The use of analgesics is beneficial for the relief of pain.
The drains will be removed 1 to 3 days after the operation and the sutures will be removed after 1 to 3 weeks.You may go back to work again in 2 to 4 weeks. After a few months, you will feel yourself completely as before, being able to perform all your previous physical activities. The fading of the scars may take 9 to 12 months. However, they will not disappear completely. But the incisions are performed at such a level that the scars can be put out of sight under swimming suits or bikini bottoms.