What You Should Know About The Tummy Tuck Intervention

Abdominoplasty, also known as the tummy tuck surgery, is major medical intervention by which the excess skin and fat is removed from the lower part of the abdomen, the tummy.
The same operation can also solve defects of the abdominal wall and suture abdominal muscles.
Abdominoplasty has been performed since the '60s and if done by an experienced plastic surgeon the results are truly impressive.
The tummy tuck surgery addresses both men and women equally who are experiencing skin excess fat tissue that cannot be removed by diet or exercise.
This operation is mainly required after multiple births or in women who have the abdominal muscles far apart.
In addition to this, the intervention can also be used to remove stretch marks and scars below the umbilicus.
On the other hand, abdominoplasty should not be performed in women who want to have a baby after the interventions and in patients who wish to follow a strict diet.
As any surgery, the tummy tuck intervention also comes with certain risks.
Being an important surgery, the risks should be discussed in detail with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist before the actual operation.
Besides any general anesthesia risks like infections or hematoma might occur.
Before surgery, the patient should not eat or drink anything.
Moreover, it is forbidden to take aspirin and other drugs that contain it the 2 weeks before the intervention.
A further recommendation is that surgery should be performed outside the menstrual period.
Finally, patients must inform the doctor or anesthesiologist about any medical problems (hypertension, vascular problems, stroke, diabetes, lung problems, bleeding problems, epilepsy, neurological problems, allergies to certain drugs, etc.
).
The tummy tuck intervention is performed under general anesthesia.
It usually takes from 2 to 5 hours, depending on the complexity of the case.
A first incision is made in the lower part of the abdomen and another one is required around the navel, in order to release the tissue around it.
The surgeon takes off the skin and subcutaneous tissues and, if required, strengthens the muscular wall.
Because abdominoplasty is framed in large operations, a longer hospitalization period is preferred, normally between 5 and 7 days, in order to increase the safety of the patient and reduce any kind of possible complications.
During this period, the patient will wear a bandage and an elastic girdle and will receive anti-thrombotic medication and antibiotics.
In order to keep the results for as long as possible, it is important to follow a strict diet recommended by a hygienic-dietary nutritionist.