A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure that improves the shape of the abdomen. This treatment removes the excess abdominal skin and fat, tightens the underlying muscles using stitches, and repositions the rest of the skin to give your stomach a more toned appearance.
A tummy tuck is sometimes combined with liposuction to achieve specific body sculpting goals.
Having said all that, Abdominoplasty is not a weight loss treatment and should not be viewed as a replacement for a healthy weight loss strategy or a regular exercise regimen.
Table of Contents
What are the Goals of a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck aims to:
- Help achieve a flatter, more contoured abdominal profile
- Help redefine the body silhouette after excessive weight loss
- Improve abdominal muscle tone
- Restore the pre-pregnancy appearance after childbirth
- Restore self-esteem
Who Is The Ideal Candidate For Tummy Tuck Surgery?
A good candidate for a tummy tuck is someone who:
- Has loose skin and underlying fat across the abdominal area
- Has weakened or separated abdominal muscles
- Is overall healthy with a stable body weight
- Has realistic expectations of the treatment
What Are The Types Of A Tummy Tuck?
The tummy tuck has three main types, each suited for specific body sculpting requirements.
Mini Tummy Tuck:
A mini tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the part of the abdomen below the navel. This procedure is ideal for individuals who want to get rid of the bulge in the lower abdomen to get a flat belly.
Full Tummy Tuck:
A full or standard tummy tuck is a type of abdominoplasty that removes excess skin and fat and tightens muscles across a large abdomen area. It also involves repositioning the belly button. This treatment is typically provided to patients who have lost abdominal contour due to weight fluctuations or pregnancy.
Extended Tummy Tuck:
An extended tummy tuck removes extra fat and skin from the abdomen, hips, and flanks. This treatment is usually performed on individuals who have lost significant weight and are now left with flaps of skin distorting their silhouettes.
How To Prepare For A Tummy Tuck?
Be sure to adhere to the following pre-op instructions to prepare for a tummy tuck:
- Be sure to take all your prescription medicine.
- Stop smoking at least six weeks before the procedure.
- Eat healthy foods.
- Avoid NSAIDs and herbal supplements.
Your surgeon will give specific instructions based on your overall health, preferences, and treatment requirements.
Tummy Tuck Procedure
A tummy tuck generally involves the following steps:
- Anesthesia: You will be given local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia to make the operation painless.
- Incision: Once the anesthesia kicks in, the surgeon will make a horizontal incision between the belly button and the pubic area. The length of this incision will depend on the type of tummy tuck. A round incision around the belly button will also be made to free it from the abdominal skin for later repositioning.
- Muscle tightening: During this step, loose or weakened abdominal muscles are tightened and sewn using sutures. It gives the abdomen the desired contouring. Muscle tightening is generally performed during full and extended tummy tucks.
- Skin and fat removal: The surgeon pulls the skin along with the underlying fat and removes the portion extending beyond the incision’s lower side. The tightening flattens the skin and eliminates sagginess.
- Belly button adjustment: The tightening and trimming of the excess skin leads to the removal of the old belly button opening, causing the navel to come underneath the stretched skin. Therefore, the surgeon creates a new opening to adjust the belly button.
- Closing the incision: In the final step, the surgeon closes all the incisions using sutures and covers the treated sites with wound dressing and bandages.
Recovery
The initial recovery after a tummy tuck may take 2-4 weeks, while significant recovery generally takes six weeks. You may not be able to stand up straight for the first few weeks, so you must be careful when moving around.
Here are some tips to reduce the risks of complications and ensure a smoother recovery after a tummy tuck.
- Keep the wound clean and dry.
- Eat healthy foods. Increase your fiber intake and stay hydrated to avoid constipation.
- Wear compression garments to keep swelling under control.
- Do not engage in strenuous physical activities for at least six weeks or until your doctor approves.
- Follow all the post-op instructions given by the surgeon.
Risks:
Due to its surgical nature, a tummy tuck does have a few risks or side effects. The good thing is most of these side effects are either temporary or less likely to occur.
The most common but temporary side effects of a tummy tuck are:
- Pain
- Swelling and bruising
- Bleeding
Other less common complications include:
- Infection
- Numbness or change in sensation
- Persistent pain
- Skin discoloration in the incision site
The risk of serious complications is generally minimal when you get the treatment from a skilled surgeon with extensive expertise.
How long after a tummy tuck will I see results?
It usually takes 2-3 months for the swelling to subside and initial results to become noticeable. Complete results are generally visible after about a year. It is important to note that individual results may vary from person to person, depending on the overall health, extent of surgery, and the type of tummy tuck.
How much does a tummy tuck cost in Dubai?
The starting cost of tummy tuck surgery in Dubai averages AED 30000. The exact price in each case may depend on a number of factors, including the ones listed below:
- The amount of surgical correction needed
- The type of tummy tuck finalized
- The surgeon’s skill and reputation
- The geographic location of the treatment facility
How painful is tummy tuck?
Due to the anesthesia effect, the tummy tuck procedure itself is not painful. However, you will feel pain and discomfort in the treated region as soon as you regain consciousness and will likely continue to do so for about a week. The pain duration also depends on the type of tummy tuck and the extent of surgery.
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