Abdominoplasty

Why opt for Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Suitable candidates for abdominoplasty are mainly patients who have excess skin, fat or even stretch marks in the area of the abdomen. This is more common after a pregnancy but also after massive weight loss, i.e. over 20-30 kg. Abdominoplasty results in a mild weight loss and is performed mainly to reshape the contour of the abdomen. It should be noted, however, that in no case is it a means of dealing with obesity.

Abdominoplasty in brief

Classic abdominoplasty

Classic abdominoplasty is indicated for patients who have excess fat or skin in the lower abdomen. That part of the abdomen between the navel and the pubes is removed and the navel is “transferred” to its new position. A key advantage of classic abdominoplasty is that before suturing the skin, the underlying abdominal muscles are tightened, which helps to improve the shape of the abdomen and reduce the waist circumference.

Mini abdominoplasty

Mini abdominoplasty is indicated mainly for patients with a small excess of skin and fat in the lower abdomen, which does not justify a classical abdominoplasty. The incision of the mini abdominoplasty is similar to that of the cesarean section. The navel remains intact, while the operation concerns only the lower part of the abdomen. In this operation, the underlying abdominal muscles are generally not tightened, while it is often combined with a liposuction.

Incisions

The extent and location of incisions will depend on the type of abdominoplasty. During the first six weeks scars will be pink / red, over the next three months they will turn purple and then they will fade to white. Scar maturation takes up to 12-14 months. In most cases, the quality of scars will be extremely good in the long run. Most patients reach this point very quickly, while for others it may take some time. In rare cases, hypertrophic or keloid scars may form, but this can be predicted by the way other wounds have healed in the past.

Medication

In our clinic, a complete medical history is always taken before each surgery. As a precaution, over-the-counter medicines or herbal products should not be taken before and for 3 days after surgery. It is also considered necessary to avoid taking non-steroid, anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin (salospir), ibuprofen (Nurofen), diclofenac and any other anticoagulant or antiplatelet drug.

Smoking

If you are a smoker you should try to stop smoking for at least 1 week before and 1 week after the surgery as this will dramatically reduce the incidence of postoperative complications and help achieve the best possible result.

Recovery from abdominoplasty

Duration of the procedure

Depending on the type of operation, duration may vary from 40 minutes to 2.5 hours. While classic abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia, mini abdominoplasty can also be performed under local anesthesia and gas anesthesia.

Hospitalization / Duration 

You will be hospitalized for one or two nights. Mini abdominoplasty can be performed within the framework of day care.

Wound Dressing and Compression Garment

You will wake up with steristrips (special adhesives that hold the skin in place), self-adhesive waterproof gauze and a wide corset-type belt, which you should wear for about 6 weeks. One week after the operation, the wound will have healed completely and thus gauzes will no longer be required.

Drainages

Placement of surgical drains to remove a possible unwanted small collection of blood / fluid is not always necessary during surgery, but if used will remain under the skin in the area of the abdomen for 48 hours to 72 hours, while in some cases they may need to remain for a longer period of time.

Absence from work

People differ with regard to their recovery time. In general, however, patients should be given at least two weeks to recover. Patients whose work involves a lot of movement or manual labor may need more time.

Refraining from exercising

Patients are usually able to go brisk walking within seven to ten days and swimming in 3 weeks (if they have fully recovered). However, strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least four weeks. The most important thing is to avoid excessive “pulling” of the muscles, which have been tightened, as well as of the incisions during the first two weeks.

Post-op instructions

From day one to day four, you should ideally avoid any activity. You should not take care of small children or do household chores without help.

From day 5 to day 14 you can start exercising more, as for instance go walking for a longer period of time, go shopping etc. By the end of this period you will feel minimal pain. If all wounds seem to have been healed by day 10, it is rather unlikely that you increasing your level of activity could cause any issues. You should only resume your activities if you feel healthy.

From the third week onwards you will be able to fully return to your normal pace of life and do whatever you want.

Driving

Patients who have undergone abdominoplasty should ideally avoid driving until they are completely free of any discomfort or restriction, in order to be able to make a sudden movement, such as braking, freely and without any pain. This parameter is proposed so that patients can secure coverage from their insurance company in case of accident. Thus, it may take up to two weeks for them to fully recover. There are of course patients who feel able to drive after 4-5 days, but always at their own risk.

Postoperative follow-up

The incisions and the result will be checked and dressings will be changed on the second and fifth day post-surgery, while the sutures are absorbable and do not need to be removed. However, if you need any clarification or there is something that worries you, doctors are always at your disposal. Your next appointments will be after fifteen days, one, three and six months respectively and during said appointments postoperative photos will be taken. For these visits there will of course be no extra charge for any follow-up related to your surgery.

Final outcome

Abdominoplasty has immediate, visible results. However, the result is constantly improving, as the tissues soften and regain their optimal shape and form after four to six months.

Possible complications of abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty is a routine operation and is completely successful for the vast majority of our patients, which is a result of the large number of cases that doctors have in their belt. However, as with any surgery, it is very important to understand that there is a possibility of complications. Possible complications are listed below:

Wound skin necrosis

A rare complication that can occur in high-risk patients (such as smokers, obese patients or diabetics) or when the skin of the abdomen is sutured using high-tension sutures.

Scars

The quality of scars differs between patients (see here incisions).

Hygroma

It is the collection of inflammatory fluid under the skin of the abdomen and can be easily treated with the use of a suction needle.

Hematoma

There is a possibility of a small hematoma forming in the chest, which will result in the patient returning to the operating room for its removal. Hematomas usually occur within the first 24 hours after surgery and affect about 1% of patients.

Postoperative wound infection

It is quite an uncommon phenomenon, but if it occurs, antibiotics will be required.

Pain

A small percentage of patients experience intense pain due to the tightening of the muscles that may persist for a number of weeks.

Loss of sensation

You may experience altered sensations or loss of sensation in the area just above the scar or on either side of the scar. This is temporary and the sensation will be restored after a few months.

Pulling up of pubic hair

Pubic hair can all be pulled up to a small degree, however, it tends to return to its original position over subsequent weeks as tissues soften.

Thrombosis in the legs and lungs

Although rare, it is important to avoid this complication by avoiding smoking and morbid obesity, and by moving as soon as possible after surgery.

If you experience any symptoms that may worry you, please do not hesitate to contact us.