Abdominoplasty
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We are a team of experienced healthcare specialists providing comprehensive medical services to patients worldwide. Our mission is to make healthcare accessible to everyone, regardless of location or financial circumstances. We guarantee high standards of quality and professionalism in all our services.
Why choose HEG for abdominoplasty?
We offer a personalized approach and comprehensive packages that include everything—from transfers to post-operative support—ensuring a comfortable experience. Our doctors are certified specialists with long-term experience and more than 6,000 successful surgeries. We strive to achieve natural and beautiful results tailored to your unique needs. Choose HEG for expert care that combines safety, quality, and attention to your expectations.
Abdominoplasty
The cost may vary based on the volume of the intervention, its complexity, and the selection of the doctor by the patient.
Doctors
What is Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) ?
An abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure that aims to flatten your abdomen by removing excess fat and skin and tightening the muscles in your abdominal wall. The procedure can be considered a “mini” or more involved procedure, depending on the amount of skin and fat being removed. It’s important to educate yourself, thoroughly analyze your own situation, and take your time to arrive at a final decision. It should not be seen as a substitute for weight loss.
Both men and women who are in good overall health and have a stable weight are suitable candidates for a tummy tuck. It’s important to note that a tummy tuck is not the same as liposuction, which is a cosmetic surgery used to remove fat deposits. However, your surgeon may choose to perform liposuction as part of the tummy tuck procedure.
Women who have had multiple pregnancies and have stretched muscles and skin may find the procedure useful to tighten those muscles and reduce the skin. Additionally, a tummy tuck can be an alternative for individuals who have a history of obesity and significant weight loss but still have excessive fat deposits or loose skin in the abdominal area.
Procedure types
Complete abdominoplasty
Complete abdominoplasty
This option is recommended for patients who require the most correction. The incision, or cut, is made along the bikini line. The length of the resulting scar depends on the amount of excess skin present. Your surgeon will then manipulate and shape both the skin and underlying muscle as needed. This procedure also involves an incision around your navel (belly button), as it is necessary to free it from surrounding tissue. Drainage tubes may or may not be placed under your skin, which will be removed in a few days, as determined by your surgeon.
Mini-abdominoplasty
Mini-abdominoplasties are performed with shorter incisions and are often done on people with less excess skin. During this type of procedure, your belly button is not typically moved. Your skin will be separated between the incision line and your belly button. This procedure usually takes one to two hours. As with a full abdominoplasty, you may or may not have drainage tubes after the surgery.
Mini-abdominoplasty
Circumferential abdominoplasty
Circumferential abdominoplasty
This surgery involves the back area as well. When there is a significant amount of excess fat in both the back and the abdomen, you may need to undergo either back liposuction or a circumferential abdominoplasty. The latter procedure allows for the removal of both skin and fat from the hip and back areas, improving the overall shape of your body. By eliminating excess skin and fat and strengthening your abdominal wall, a tummy tuck can give your abdomen a more toned and slimmer appearance. Typically, the results of a tummy tuck are long-lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight.
What to expect
If you are considering a tummy tuck, you will likely have an initial consultation with a plastic surgeon. During this visit, the surgeon will likely:
Review your medical history: Be prepared to discuss current and past medical conditions, medications you are taking or have recently taken, and any surgeries you’ve had. Also, inform your doctor if you have any allergies to medications. If your desire for a tummy tuck is related to weight loss, your doctor may ask detailed questions about your weight gain and loss.
Perform a physical exam: To determine the best treatment options for you, the doctor will examine your abdomen. The doctor may also take pictures of your abdomen for your medical record.
Discuss your expectations: Explain why you want a tummy tuck and what you hope to achieve in terms of appearance after the procedure. Ensure that you understand the benefits and risks of the procedure, including scarring. Keep in mind that if you have had previous abdominal surgery, your results may be limited.
Before undergoing a tummy tuck, you may also need to:
- Avoid certain medications: You will likely need to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.
- Maintain a stable weight: Ideally, you should maintain a stable weight for at least 12 months before having a tummy tuck. If you are severely overweight, your doctor may recommend that you lose weight before the procedure. Significant weight loss after the procedure can diminish your results.
- Arrange for help during recovery: Plan 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.
During the procedure, you will be under general anesthesia, which will make you completely unconscious and unable to feel pain. In some cases, you may be given pain-relieving medication and be partially sedated.
During the procedure, the patient is given anesthesia to ensure comfort. This can be in the form of general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. The surgeon will make an incision in the lower abdomen, usually from hip to hip, just above the bikini line. The skin and fat are then separated from the underlying muscles. The abdominal muscles are strengthened by stitching them together, which results in a flatter and toned abdomen. The surgeon will then remove any excess skin and fat before tightening the remaining skin and closing the incision. To remove excess fluid, a drain is inserted, and a compression bandage may be applied to the abdomen to reduce swelling and aid in the healing process. Recovery time may vary, but most patients can return to work within two to three weeks and resume their normal activities within four to six weeks.
After a tummy tuck, your abdominal incision and belly button will likely be covered with surgical dressing. Small tubes may be placed along the incision site to drain any excess blood or fluid.
Members of your healthcare team will help you walk as early as the first day after a tummy tuck to help prevent the formation of blood clots. You will likely be given pain medication. It’s normal to experience swelling in the surgical area.
Drains may be left in place for several days after surgery. Your doctor or another member of your healthcare team will show you how to empty and care for your drains. You may 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. Recovery from tummy tuck procedures can take around 6 weeks. You should wear a special type of post-operative compression garment or abdominal binder to encourage your skin to heal properly and reduce swelling, minimizing potential risks. Your surgeon may recommend wearing compression garments for at least 3 months after the procedure.
For the first six weeks after a tummy tuck, you will need to be careful when moving around. You should also avoid positions that strain your incision line, such as quickly bending at the waist, to prevent the reopening of the wound.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you will have some scarring, but it typically fades over time and becomes less noticeable for the vast majority of patients. Keep in mind that it generally takes two years for scars to fully mature, so patience is a must.
You will likely be able to see results within two to three weeks after surgery once the majority of swelling has begun to diminish. Keep in mind that swelling will continue to resolve over the next several months, further refining the firmness, smoothness, and contour of your abdomen.
As long as you maintain a stable weight and regular exercise, results can be long-term. Prior to getting surgery, you should ideally be within your target weight range, as fluctuations of around 10 pounds can affect the appearance of results. Likewise, getting pregnant after a tummy tuck can also re-stretch the skin and separate abdominal muscles.
Many patients find that they are ready to return to work within about two to three weeks. This may vary based on the type of job that you have. You may need more time off or return to work on light or modified duty if you have a physically demanding position as opposed to a role where you can be more sedentary.
After about two weeks, you should be able to resume many of your normal day-to-day activities. Light exercise is generally acceptable after four to six weeks, but you will want to get clearance from your surgeon first. You do not want to become too active too fast and impede your recovery.
For best results, you may be asked to lose some weight before undergoing a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure—it is a way to get rid of loose skin and excess fat. If you are at an unhealthy weight, other procedures may be recommended.
Our HEG licensed anesthetist administers IV sedation for tummy tucks.
