TUMMY TUCK

Also called "abdominoplasty", this is a major surgical procedure removing excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall.

PROCEDURE

The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen.

In the "full" tummy tuck, two surgical incisions are made, one across the lower abdomen directly above the pubic area and a second incision around the patient's belly button. The patient's skin is separated from the wall of abdomen and the surgeon pulls the loose abdominal muscles from the left and right flanks suturing them together. After the tightening and suturing of the abdominal muscles is completed, excess skin is removed and the belly button reset. Remaining incisions are closed with sutures and/or staples.

The "partial" or "mini" tummy tuck treats problem areas below the belly button and is frequently performed on an outpatient basis with local anesthetic. The surgeon may recommend that either a "partial" or "full" tummy tuck be done in conjunction with liposuction. Occasionally, liposuction alone may offer the most desirable results.
The full tummy tuck takes up to five hours to complete, depending on the extent of the procedure, the desired out come and the pre-operative condition of the patient, and a "partial" takes one to two hours.

RECOVERY

"Although you may be up and about in a day or two after surgery, start walking after 24 hours. Your doctor will advise you on the proper schedule for resuming your usual routine. In this early phase of healing, straining, bending and lifting should be avoided. Normal activities are resumed slowly to permit proper healing".

"Vigorous activities such as golf, swimming and tennis are restricted for 6 weeks after surgery to ensure proper and complete healing".

"After surgery, temporary pains swelling, bruising, tiredness, soreness discomfort for several weeks. Numbness and burning sensation over the lower abdomen for 3-6 months. Although is gradually improves with time".

"Lying in the semi-fowler position to take tension off. There're after, a pillow under the knees will be comfortable and is usually adequate".

"Lying on either side with the hips flexed is permitted as soon as the patient is comfortable enough to get into this position".

"Patient is advised to continue wearing a light support garment (Soft panty girdle) to support the abdomen during the next two to three months it helps keep the abdominal wall flab against the fascia".

"Tight belts are not worn over the scars for six months".

"In the months following surgery, it is important to avoiding sun exposure; sunlight can permanently affect the skin's pigmentation, causing the scar to turn dark. To avoid by not wearing black or dark colours when you are outdoors. eat absorbed by dark-coloured clothing can actually burn your healing skin and complicate recovery".

"The patient must accept the fact that the defect can be corrected only partially and that the resulting long scars across the pubic area and around the navel are permanent, but will flatten and lighten in colour, hopefully fade from red to white by 1 to 2 years".

"Back to work: 2 to 4 weeks".
More strenuous activity: 4 to 6 weeks or more.
Fading and flattening of scars: 3 months to 2 years