It is an operation to remove the excess fat and skin from the lower part of the abdomen and tighten the abdominal muscles.
Excess skin and fat and weakness of the
abdominal wall muscles following pregnancy.
Skin excess following weight loss.
Some kinds of abnormal scarring.
It is important to get closer to your desired weight before
having the operation.
However, some people may carry a lot of weight in the lower
abdomen preventing exercising and weight loss. Having a
modified form of the operation (apronectomy) will make the
person lighter and able to exercise and lose weight.
Smoking is not good for wound healing as smokers
tend to have more health problems including chest
infections. Smoking also affects healing so it is
advisable to stop, or at least cut down, some weeks
before the operation.
Aspirin should be stopped for 7 – 14 days before
the operation to reduce the likelihood of
bleeding as it reduces the body's natural blood
clotting ability.
If you are taking any herbal remedies it is good to
inform the Surgeon as some of them also reduce
the natural blood clotting abilities of the body.
The operation is usually carried out under general anaesthetic.
The excess fat and skin is lifted off the abdominal muscles.
Then the muscles are tightened with strong sutures (stitches)
and excess skin and fat are then removed. The wound is sutured, leaving a
scar on the bikini line above the pubic hair extending to both
hips. Occasionally there is an added vertical midline scar to help
improve the definition of the waist. If this is planned, this will be
discussed with you during the consultation.
This may be combined with liposuction especially on the hips
and thighs to reduce bulges. The liposuction may also be done
as a separate procedure some months after the tummy tuck.
The hospital stay is usually for about two nights.
Tummy tuck does not deal with stretch marks. Only the marks within the excised excess skin are gotten rid of.
Following the operation you would be propped up with your
hips and knees bent in bed to reduce strain on the wound and
to make you more comfortable. This posture is gradually
straightened as the days pass.
The following day, our physiotherapist will encourage you to do
chest exercise sessions to make sure that breathing is improved
to reduce the chances of a chest infection.
Injections that reduce the chances of developing a blood clot in
the legs as well as compressive stockings are used.
Usually an intravenous drip is administered for the first day or two.
The drains are usually removed after two or three days as the
drainage reduces.
Painkillers to achieve adequate pain relief are administered and
you are also given prophylactic antibiotics.
Usually 4 - 6 weeks depending on the kind of job you do.
Most patients are very pleased with the results of their surgery. However the
problems that can arise with any surgery can occur. They include haematoma
(collection of blood) which may require drainage, infection, small areas of superficial
wound breakdown which requires simple dressings, bad scaring (stretched or
raised), puckering at the ends of the scars, called ‘dog ears’, which may require
revision at a later stage.
Occasionally there may be some fluid collection which may need to be drained.
The lower part of the new tummy may feel numb because the skin and tissues
have been lifted off the muscle. The feeling will gradually return as weeks and
months pass.
All these and any concerns will be fully discussed during your consultation.