What Does It Involve?
Tummy tucks, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure to remove excess fat and skin from the middle & lower abdomen and from the waist. Patients are rewarded with a toned and more youthful looking abdominal area and an altogether slimmer waistline. Midline protrusion due to split muscle or hernia can be repaired at the same time.
Mini Tummy tucks can be considered if patients have been exercising and their postpartum pooch persist even with minimal fatty tissue excess. If this is the case, it may be time to consider surgery to deal with the patient’s diastasis recti.
In the patient with massive weight loss and skin laxity, it may be more beneficial to have a total body lift or circumferential body reduction. Mr. Ho-Asjoe will discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages.
In a tummy tuck a long incision is made across the waistline in a broad U-shape. The skin is then lifted and separated from the underlying tissue and muscle of the abdominal wall. Excess fat is removed, sometimes by liposuction, and the muscles and associated tissues of the abdominal wall are drawn together to create a tighter waistline. Finally, the skin is pulled down tight over the abdomen, the navel re-positioned, excess skin trimmed and the incision is sewn.
A tummy tuck takes between 2 – 3 hours to complete. The patient has to be under a general anaesthetic and an overnight stay in hospital is required.
After Surgery
Patients are allowed gentle mobilization in the first 4 weeks and to avoid strenuous activities. Patients are encouraged to shower and to wear the supportive abdominal binder. Full recovery is usually expected around the 6 weeks period. Some patients may find standing fully erected uncomfortable but this sensation will gradually ease off.
Before & After Images
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Before After