After frequent and significant weight gain and loss or after childbirth, the skin's ability to contract decreases, so the skin cannot keep up with the changes and may sag. In case of excessive obesity, the skin, along with the fat layer, hangs down like an apron, which can cause aesthetic and health, hygiene problems. After this, even subsequent weight loss cannot bring as much joy as we would expect, because the given area raises other problems, namely the sagging skin on the abdomen, which cannot regain its original firmness.
This elongated condition is the so-called apron belly. The sagging, elongated skin after weight loss can then cause a greater relapse in terms of self-confidence.
The abdomen protruding forward can also be caused by the separation of the two rectus abdominis muscles from each other. All this can be disturbing in everyday life, as it makes sports and clothing choices difficult. In the case of pregnancy, the connective tissue is also weakened, as the body undergoes major changes at this time. This is not only physically burdensome, but can also cause serious lack of self-confidence. However, these problems can be corrected with a tummy tuck - as the gallery photos also show!
In all cases, it is necessary to provide the necessary information before the treatment: how the surgery is performed, what it involves and what options are available to the patient. Thus, during the free consultation, the plastic surgeon informs about the options, procedures, surgical techniques and where the scars will be located. Since the incisions are located within the bikini line, there is no need to fear that you will not be able to wear your favorite swimsuit, as the scar will be visible in the area below its line for a while until it heals.
During the complete examination before the tummy tuck surgery, we encourage laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound examination, and if necessary, ECG and X-ray examinations beforehand. In connection with the plastic surgery procedure, we provide useful information that helps with the preparation and recovery, which also contains very important advice for all patients. You also need to prepare mentally, we also help with this - the doctor answers all questions, which can avoid unnecessary worries.
Depending on the problems mentioned above, it varies individually how much skin and fat tissue needs to be removed. Or the extent and location of the scar, and whether the muscle-tendon sheath needs to be restored. These surgeries are performed under general anesthesia, the plastic surgery procedure is performed in 2-3 hours.
During the tummy tuck, we use an incision connecting the two hip bones, made above the pubic mound, which incision allows for complete correction of the abdomen, and ensures that the scar is not widened and thick. The excess skin of the abdominal wall is excised according to how much removal on the abdominal wall provides an aesthetically satisfactory result.
During the surgery, the navel is moved, and a silicone tube is inserted to drain any possible fluid that may have formed. Removal of these tubes is ideally not a week after the tummy tuck, but is recommended about 2-3 days later. In certain cases, the tummy tuck is combined with liposuction to make the final result more favorable.
Despite the thin body type, the normal body weight, it does not only depend on these whether the fat accumulated around the waist. In these cases, too, it may happen that the fat accumulated in the abdomen or sagging skin is a problem in achieving a flat stomach, from which the patient cannot get rid of. You may feel that you can say goodbye to your favorite pieces of clothing.
Often the correction is enough, but the preliminary examinations regarding the plastic surgery are always necessary for the benefit of both parties for the best final result and safety. Although at this time mostly only the area below the navel is problematic, a mini tummy tuck can solve the restoration of this area.
This type of surgery is performed by making a smaller horizontal incision in the area between the navel and the pubic bone. If necessary, and for the appropriate result, where it is even necessary, the traditional tummy tuck, tummy tuck with liposuction can also be combined. The healing time in this case is shorter, as there is no need to move the navel or cut it.
If there is accumulated, excess skin in the area below and above the navel, and the abdominal muscles are possibly weakened, separated, then moving the navel may provide the best solution.
In the case of a full tummy tuck, the incision is also made within the bikini line, between the two hip bones, which allows for the movement and repositioning of the subcutaneous adipose tissue. At this time, the excess tissues can also be removed, and even the abdominal wall muscles can be strengthened during the surgery.
Liposuction is also possible with this procedure. After the surgery, a compression abdominal binder must be worn, which helps the skin to re-adhere, while protecting the wounds and preventing serum formation. The wearing time is approx. two months.
Pregnancy is a kind of different condition. After 9 months, huge changes take place in the body, which obviously have visible, external traces, while inside, a new life is developing, for which adequate space is needed. As the abdomen grows, so does the pressure on the two longitudinal abdominal muscles, which causes the muscles to move away from each other. The connective tissue that connects the two longitudinal abdominal muscles also stretches.
Typically, the body regenerates with the disappearance of internal pressure, but in all cases, the abdominal muscles do not return to the center, so the pre-birth condition cannot return. The gap between the longitudinal abdominal muscles may remain if there is a large excess weight during and after pregnancy. Or it is typical of a twin pregnancy that these muscles are no longer able to rearrange themselves as they should. The visible trace of this is that the abdominal cavity bulges forward, the abdominal wall bulges.
In addition to the fact that this type of sagging abdomen is a disturbing factor for many women from an aesthetic point of view, it can be accompanied by back pain, and the abdominal wall muscles are also weakened. In addition to these symptoms, the medical risk of hernia formation also increases. When the tummy tuck is performed to correct this problem, the separated abdominal muscles are sewn together, which allows the abdominal wall to regain its firm condition. The navel is fixed in its original anatomical condition.
After the surgery, you need to stay in the office for 2-3 days, until the fluid leaving through the tubes decreases significantly. After these, we remove the tubes as well.
Suture removal takes place in the 2nd-3rd week. After the surgery, a special compression garment must be worn continuously for four weeks, in which you can shower and then dry with a hair dryer. Wearing the abdominal binder is essential. It must be worn during the day for another two weeks, but it is recommended to wear it later for sports as well. When can you do sports again?
In the first weeks, at least physical exertion should be avoided. Lighter exercise may be considered from about the third week, to which the body should be gradually accustomed.
Those initially quite conspicuous scars, which are found in a visible place, heal in 6 months. For a few months after the surgery, your skin should still be healing, while the subcutaneous ones need 2 years to heal. Can laser treatments help? You can get accurate information about this at the consultation, and you can also read about the risks of other procedures in our blog posts.
Among the possible tummy tuck complications, bleeding may occur in the first 24-48 hours, and the production of tissue fluid and lymph may increase, which may need to be drained. A serious complication can also be skin and tissue necrosis, which usually occurs due to circulatory disorders.
It can usually appear around the navel and heal spontaneously, but it can take months and the healed skin may differ in color from the healthy skin. There is also a risk of inflammation, which can also cause purulent discharge. Widening of the surgical wound line may also occur.
As with any plastic surgery, the question arises in the case of a tummy tuck: How much does it cost?
Our prices can be viewed on the website, however, the prices largely depend on the extent of the intervention required and how long the surgery lasts. The surgical plan after the consultation includes the details that are decisive in the final price.
Sometimes patients would like to have several surgeries performed at once. While lip filling and wrinkle filling are among the minor procedures, breast surgeries are already performed under general anesthesia. However, it is possible to combine breast augmentation with a tummy tuck procedure. This is possible if the body can handle the additional procedures during the session.
Feel free to contact us with your questions regarding tummy tuck and other surgical procedures!
