Tummy Tuck Surgery

As the skin loses its elasticity due to weight changes, pregnancy, and aging, many deformations occur in the abdomen at the end of the day. Abdominoplasty is an effective way to leave behind these deformations, which are difficult or unlikely to recover with sports and diet.

What is tummy tuck surgery (Abdominoplasty)?

The abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck is an operation performed under general anesthesia in a full-fledged hospital, where the excess skin loosened and sagging in the abdomen is removed and the abdominal muscles under the skin are repaired, thus a flat and fit abdomen appearance is obtained. In accordance with the needs of the patient, in both types of tummy tuck surgeries performed as a full tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck, the patient must stay in the hospital for 1 day.

Why is tummy tuck surgery needed?

Deformations occur in our abdominal region due to excessive weight change, pregnancy, drugs used, sedentary life and loss of elasticity of our skin over time, especially bariatric surgeries. The skin, which expands and cracks, begins to loosen and sag over time. With the deformation of the abdominal muscles, the abdominal region becomes drooping, far from an aesthetic and fit appearance. In these cases where the exercises are insufficient, tummy tuck surgeries are applied.

Is there an age limit for tummy tuck surgery?

Abdominoplasty is an aesthetic operation that combines health and beauty. As in many aesthetic surgeries, patients must be over the age of 18 when it comes to tummy tuck surgery.

How should the preparation process for tummy tuck surgery be?

Tummy tuck surgery is a serious and comprehensive operation, so it needs a meticulous preparation process. Before the operation, during the consultation examination, our patients are required to inform us of all the drugs they use and to share a detailed medical history with us. It is necessary to determine whether there is a health problem that prevents anesthesia.

In addition to the medical history, if our patient who will undergo tummy tuck surgery uses blood thinners or ready-to-use blood thinners with injections, these drugs should be discontinued 10 days before the operation, with the knowledge of the doctor who prescribed these drugs to them.

Another precaution to be taken while preparing for tummy tuck surgery is smoking. Due to its content, cigarette slows down cell regeneration and thus the healing process of the person. For this reason, it is important to quit smoking about 10 days before the operation and not to smoke during the recovery period.

Abdominoplasty, whether it is a full tummy tuck or a mini tummy tuck, is an operation that requires a one-day stay in the hospital. Although our hospital team will always be with you and meet all your needs, sometimes patients need a companion from their close circle to feel better. It is important for you to determine your escort during the operation preparation process to make you feel more comfortable.

Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty)

Abdominoplasty is performed in two different ways. The first is a full tummy tuck and the other is a narrower mini tummy tuck.

Both surgeries are performed under general anesthesia in a full-fledged hospital. While full tummy tuck surgery takes 3 hours on average, mini tummy tuck surgery can be completed in about 1.5 hours.

Whether full abdominoplasty or mini tummy tuck techniques will be used is decided during the consultation examination according to the patient’s needs, body structure and the severity of the deformation he is exposed to.

In tummy tuck surgery, an incision is made in the belly area, which we call underwear scar. After this incision, the abdominal muscles that are loosened and deformed in the first place are repaired and tightened. Subsequently, the subcutaneous tissues are intervened. When the repair in the inner part of the abdomen is completed, the abdominal skin is stretched and the excess skin resulting from the stretching is surgically removed. If the operation is a full tummy tuck operation, that is, if the removed skin is excessive and the muscle repair is intense, the navel is moved back to the place where it should be after the stretched skin. Then, the patient is closed by suturing the patient from the same underwear trace line.

Since mini tummy tuck surgeries are narrower and can be called a simplified tummy tuck surgery, there is no need to intervene in the belly button in this technique and the incision made on the underwear trace line for the operation is much more minimal.

After the operation, in addition to the stitches, the abdominal region is wrapped with pressure to reduce edema and swelling, and the operation is completed.

Can tummy tuck surgery be combined with other applications?

Although tummy tuck operations can be performed in combination with many operations, the most common combination is Vaser Liposuction and Breast Augmentation operations. Since it is an operation performed under general anesthesia, it is performed at the same time as other body aesthetic applications, allowing the patient to receive anesthesia for once, and since the recovery times are parallel, a holistic beauty and aesthetic appearance is obtained when the recovery period is completed after a combined operation.

In addition to breast aesthetics and Vaser liposuction applications, tummy tuck surgeries can also be performed together with various fat injections.

Is it necessary to stay in the hospital after tummy tuck surgery?

Whether full tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck technique is used, it is important for patients to spend the first 24 hours under supervision and in comfort. For this reason, it may be necessary to stay in the hospital for 1 day after the operation and 2 days depending on the scope of the procedure and the condition of the patient.

Abdominoplasty or Liposuction?

When it comes to a fit appearance, one of the procedures that confuses patients the most is whether they need tummy tuck surgery or liposuction. First of all, we find it useful to say that both operations are body shaping operations, not weight loss. The operations, in which a new body form in which the body lines are proportioned, is given to the patient, can be performed individually as well as in combination in line with the needs of the patient. However, if our patient has skin loosening or even sagging, and if the abdominal muscles are deformed, the right choice is tummy tuck surgery. If there are resistant fats in the abdomen, if there is no sagging on the skin, then Liposuction should be preferred. However, as we sai, the final decision is determined in line with the needs of the patients during the consultation examination.

Abdominoplasty recovery process

Abdominoplasty is a comprehensive operation performed under general anesthesia. In tummy tuck surgery, which includes details such as removing excess skin, repairing and reshaping the abdominal muscles from the inside, the operation time varies between 1.5 and 3 hours depending on the method to be used.

Patients are hosted in the hospital for 1 or 2 days depending on the situation.

Within 7 to 10 days, our patients begin to recover and return to social life. At the end of 1.5-2 months, our patients can start light sports.

In tummy tuck surgery, even a thin scar remains, which we call underwear scar. This area, where the surgical incision is made, is red and purple in the first days, but fades over time, and at the end of 1 year, it takes the color tone of your skin to a large extent.

When should tummy tuck surgery be performed after pregnancy?

Weight gained during pregnancy, skin cracks due to skin enlargement, loosening and sagging of the skin are deformations that are unlikely to go away with sports or diet. Abdominoplasty, which is the effective result of these deformations, is an operation that our patients should apply after the breastfeeding period is completed.