Tummy Tuck

Tummy Tuck

Overview

Abdominoplasty, or as famously known, Tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from around the abdominal region and tightens the muscles of your abdominal wall to give you a lean and firm abdominal curve.

The loss of skin elasticity and the formation of excessive loose fat is usually caused due to weight fluctuations after childbirth, abdominal surgeries, or congenital spinal abnormalities. And the fat gain caused as an after-effect of these conditions most often cannot be reduced by diet or exercise alone. In fact, some experts have said that tummy tuck may be the only best way to get rid of loose, sagging abdominal skin.

A tummy tuck is performed to rectify such structural deformities and, unless you gain excessive weight, the effects of this treatment can last for decades.

There is a small gap between both sides of the rectus muscle and your skin. But as we age, this gap expands further, and these muscles separate further, causing it to sag. A tummy tuck surgery pulls in the skin and brings these muscles closer to pull your belly inward.

A tummy tuck can also be performed in combination with other body contouring cosmetic procedures, such as Liposuction and breast surgery. When this procedure is performed with Liposuction, it is known as ‘Lipoabdominoplasty.’

A tummy tuck is also known to remove stretch marks and excess skin from the lower abdomen below the belly button but not from outside this area.

However, you must understand that this treatment isn’t performed for reducing weight by removing large quantities of fat but performed only to create proper contouring of the abdominal region.

You may choose to have a tummy tuck treatment if your current weight is somewhat close to your ideal weight and you have excessive hanging fat or skin in the lower abdominal area or a weak lower abdominal wall. A tummy tuck can also be performed to boost your aesthetic appearance and self-image. However, it is a personalized treatment and must be opted for only when you solely agree and desire it. You must never have elective surgery like this under someone else’s influence or due to any social insecurity. You may be considered as the right candidate to undergo a tummy tuck if you’re:
  • Physically fit with no major fluctuations in your weight
  • Not into smoking and drinking
  • Are facing problems due to the shape of your abdomen
  • Aware of precisely what this treatment does and doesn’t do
This treatment is ideally not recommended for people who are:
  • Planning to lose a lot of weight
  • Planning for future pregnancy
  • Suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease
  • Presently having a body mass index greater than 30
  • Heavy smokers and drinkers
  • Previous patients of abdominal surgery
    On your visit to a surgeon, you must know at least the basic questions to ask and the information you’ll have to provide. Before moving on to discuss the actual treatment, the consultant will first ask you some essential questions such as:
    • Why are you opting for this treatment, and what do you wish to achieve?
    • What’s your medical history of allergies or birth disorders?
    • What medications have you been taking and for how long?
    • Any surgeries you have undergone before?
    At this point, you must also ask the right questions to ensure the legitimacy and skill of the surgeon. Hence, you can ask some basic questions such as:
    • Are you a board-certified plastic surgeon?
    • Do you specialize in the field of plastic surgery?
    • How many years of surgical experience and consultancy practice have you had?
    • What will be expected of me to get the best results?
    • What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure, and how are they handled?
    • How can I expect my stomach to look over time?
    • Do you have any ‘tummy tuck before and after’ photos of your patients?
      • After this brief introduction, the consultant will explain some important aspects of this surgery and suggest further evaluations to decide how this treatment can be personalized to meet your expectations. Some of these evaluation techniques will include:
        • Recording your overall health through a few tests and any pre-existing health conditions
        • Recording your physical appearance via photographs
        • Discussing various treatment options
        • Recommending the best course of treatment for you
        • Projecting likely outcomes of the selected treatment and any potential complications associated with it.
      If you’re convinced to have the tummy tuck treatment after the consultation, you’ll first have to follow a set of tests and guidelines for some time to prepare your body for the procedure. Following are some of these guidelines:
      • Have a thorough body test and review your family’s medical history.
      • Adjust certain medications that might not suit this procedure with the help of a doctor.
      • Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements.
      • Buy products you will need during recovery, such as ice packs, loose clothes, petroleum gels, etc.
      • Avoid smoking for at least two weeks before treatment.
      • Eat balanced meals, and do not start any weight loss diets.
      • Start a prescribed course of anticoagulant medicines beforehand after discussing with the doctor.
      • Ask family and friends to help you with transport and stay after the surgery.

        How is the Tummy Tuck Surgery Performed?

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        The Tummy Tuck surgery is performed in the following steps:
        • First, you will be induced with either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, and hence, you won’t be conscious during the surgery.
        • The surgeon will make a long horizontal incision between the pubic hairline and belly button, from one end of the hip to the other. The length of the incision depends on the extent of fat and skin to be removed.
        • The surgeon might make a second incision around the belly button if the upper abdomen skin is removed.
        • Once the abdominal skin is lifted, the underlying weakened abdominal muscles will be tightened repaired. Sometimes a liposuction technique is also used to remove small pockets of fat.
        • Now, the lifted skin will be pulled down and appropriately stretched to match the new abdominal shape, and excess ends of the skin will be trimmed.
        • The remaining skin is sutured at the edges, and a new opening for the belly button is created.
        • The belly button is popped through the opening and sutured in place.
        There are different types of tummy tuck procedures for different patient needs. The most commonly performed abdominoplasty types include:
        Traditional Tummy Tuck
        The traditional tummy tuck procedure addresses imperfections in the entire abdominal area both above and below the navel. Here, the surgeon makes a long hip-to-hip incision to remove the excess fat and another incision around the belly button to remove the upper abdominal skin. As compared to other types, this surgery creates a much flatter, smoother abdomen, reduces stretch marks, and improves your fitting in slim clothes.
        Mini Tummy Tuck
        When a mini tummy tuck is performed, the surgeon only improves the area below the navel. Here, a single small incision is made just above the pubic region, through which the loose abdominal muscles are tightened, and the excess fat and skin are removed to restore a smooth, flat abdominal wall. The post-surgery scar will appear to be a thin short line that will recover quickly, and the results will be visible instantly in your ‘mini tummy tuck before and after’ photographs.
        Extended Tummy Tuck
        An extended tummy tuck can also improve the appearance of love handles on either side of the hips, in addition to the upper and lower abdominal area. Although it involves a longer incision whose scar may remain visible, it is worth the price of having a lean and attractive figure.
        Endoscopic Tummy Tuck
        The endoscopic tummy tuck only involves tightening abdominal muscles and removing small amounts of fat. However, no skin is removed in this procedure.
        Circumferential Tummy Tuck
        Circumferential abdominoplasty is usually performed when a massive amount of weight loss occurs, leaving an apron of loose skin around the entire body. This procedure may also be referred to as a lower body lift.
        • The slimming results of the tummy tuck can last for decades.
        • This procedure also lifts and tightens the skin over the upper thigh, buttock, and hip regions and eliminates the cellulite appearance due to the sagging skin.
        • The scar from this surgery fades away with time and is barely visible as it is smartly placed along the bikini line, which hides behind clothing.
        • The enhanced look will boost your self-confidence in public and motivate you to lose more weight.
        • You’ll be able to wear and fit in a wider variety of clothes and feel younger.
        • Right after the surgery, your incision will be covered with elastic bandages and dressing. A draining tube through the incision may also be placed for a few days to remove any type of fluids that accumulate underneath the wound.
        • You’ll have to start walking with support right after the day of surgery to avoid blood clotting, but you’ll be on bed-rest for the rest of the time for a few weeks.
        • You’ll feel moderate pain, soreness, and discomfort for a week. Swelling around the treated area is also expected. You’ll also be instructed on how to position yourself while sitting or lying down to help ease the pain.
        • You’ll have to take prescribed antibiotics until the draining tube is removed.
        • You’ll have to avoid physically straining activities for at least six weeks or more, depending on your healing progress. Hence, you must not lift your kids, grocery bags, or any heavy object during this period.
        • You’ll be wearing a supportive abdominal binder for about six weeks to prevent any fluid accumulation and support your new shape.
        • Depending on the type of job you have, you’ll be able to return to your routine in 2 to 4 weeks.
        • You’ll have to attend regular follow-up appointments to track your healing progress and make your routine decisions accordingly.

        Our Treatment Results

        Frequently Asked Questions

        The incision made in the Mini tummy tuck is between the inner thigh, but the incision of a traditional or Full tummy tuck is between the hip. The main difference between these two types is in the length of the incision made and the amount of fat removed.

        The average weight patients lose with this surgery is between 5 and 8 pounds. However, it entirely depends on the type and extent of the operation. Most women have experienced a significant drop of 2 to 3 clothing sizes after a tummy tuck.

        As you are induced with general anesthesia, you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. However, if you do feel some pain after the procedure, your doctors will prescribe appropriate medication.
        During the first 24 hours after surgery, you may be allowed to take short walks to improve your blood circulation. You may feel strong enough to walk in the next four to six weeks.

        Because abdominoplasty is a form of body contouring, a male tummy tuck differs from a female tummy tuck as the surgeon will be trying to achieve a very different body aesthetic in both cases.

        A full Tummy Tuck surgery typically takes two to five hours, depending on the area to be worked upon. A mini tummy tuck will not take more than 1 to 2 hours, while a full tummy tuck may take 4 to 5 hours.

        Body-contouring procedures such as CoolSculpting and SculpSure are meant to make changes only on the surface level, and their results aren’t even close to the results of a tummy tuck treatment. These body-sculpting procedures are fine for working on stubborn squishy spots, but they won’t do anything to the sagging skin or underlying muscle separation that tummy tuck effectively targets.

        No matter where you plan to have your tummy tuck surgery in India, you must know that the effectiveness of this procedure majorly depends on the skill and experience of the plastic surgeon who will perform the surgery. 

        Hence, to have the best tummy tuck in Pune, you must first look for the best tummy tuck surgeon in Pune, India, who is widely known and recommended. You’ll find that our plastic surgeons at Karishma Cosmetic Clinic are regarded for performing the most successful and durable surgeries, making them one of the best tummy tuck surgeons in India.

        experienced team of doctors

        Dr. Suresh Sanghvi

        M.B.B.S., MS. Mch. FAIS
        Dr. Suresh Sanghvi is a Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon who has specialized for 30+ years in plastic, cosmetic surgery, and laser treatments.

        Dr. Shobha Sanghvi

        M.B.B.S. DCP
        Dr. Shobha Sanghvi is a cosmetologist and a specialist in laser and cosmetic treatments. A graduate of the Government Medical College, Surat, and a post-graduate from NHL Medical College, Ahmedabad.

        Dr. Suresh Sanghvi

        M.B.B.S., MS. Mch. FAIS
        Dr. Suresh Sanghvi is a Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon who has specialized for 30+ years in plastic, cosmetic surgery, and laser treatments.

        Dr. Shobha Sanghvi

        M.B.B.S. DCP
        Dr. Shobha Sanghvi is a cosmetologist and a specialist in laser and cosmetic treatments. A graduate of the Government Medical College, Surat, and a post-graduate from NHL Medical College, Ahmedabad.