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Tummy Tuck

Contours and defines your abdomen by removing excess fat and skin.

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TUMMY TUCK

ABDOMINOPLASTY

Significant weight loss can leave you with loose, baggy skin that hangs off your stomach and waist. The effects of pregnancy can also leave you with excess skin on your abdomen and other parts of your body.

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure that aims to flatten your abdomen by getting rid of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen. The abdominal muscles are usually tightened as well. The remaining skin is repositioned for an enhanced contour and a slimmer waistline.

Different Types of Tummy Tuck

The traditional tummy tuck involves making a horizontal incision in the area between your bikini line and belly button. The shape and length and the incision can vary depending on the amount of loose skin. Excess fat is removed through this incision, and loose skin is trimmed for an aesthetically pleasing contour. In addition, the belly button (umbilicus) is repositioned so it sits in a more natural position. Surgical drainage tubes may be placed at the incision site to prevent fluid build-up. These will be left in place temporarily and removed before you return home.

A partial tummy tuck is ideal for patients with excess skin and fat deposits mainly in the area below the navel. The surgery is performed via a small horizontal incision above your bikini line through which stubborn fat is removed. The surgeon will also trim excess loose skin for a flatter abdomen and a more aesthetically pleasing appearance overall.

A partial tummy tuck is often favoured to a full abdominoplasty since it is quicker and more straightforward, and patients tend to heel faster. The whole operation takes about 2 to 3 hours to perform. It is, however, not suited for patients with large amounts of fat in the upper part of the abdomen.

Tummy tuck is often combined with liposuction for maximal body contouring. Liposuction uses a suction technique to remove fat from under the skin. This allows for a more efficient treatment of the fat deposits and provides even more significant improvements in the overall contour.

  • Read the pre-surgery instructions.
  • This will help prevent complications and improve the outcome of your surgery.
  • Plan to take at least 2 weeks off work and your normal activities.
  • It is important to quit smoking at least several weeks before the surgery because smoking can slow down the effects of anesthesia and complicate the healing process.
  • Do not eat or drink anything 8 hours before surgery.
  • Read the recovery instructions.
  • You may experience some pain and swelling for the first few days. This is normal and can be controlled with pain medication.
  • Surgical drains may be left in place for a few days. You will be shown how to clean and take care of the drains.
  • You will need to wear a compression garment for 6-8 weeks after surgery.
  • Follow all instructions given to you by your doctor on how to take care of your scar.
  • You may return to light exercise 4 weeks after the operation.

BELT LIPECTOMY

Belt lipectomy is a common surgical procedure performed to remove fat and extra skin around the beltline or waist. It is also known as circular abdominoplasty, 360° abdominoplasty, or lower body lift. This surgery is normally performed after a person loses a considerable amount of weight as a result of dieting or after weight loss surgery.

When people gain weight, their skin may start to stretch over an extended period of time. When that weight is lost, the skin is devoid of its elasticity and flexibility to come back in its original form. This can lead to the formation of excess loose skin (especially in the abdominal area) that may manifest in love handles around the waist or along the inner thighs. Belt lipectomy will help achieve a more pleasing aesthetic appearance by firming the abdomen, thighs and buttocks.

The surgery will address the buttocks and back to remove loose skin and fat which will reduce waist size and also result in the buttocks and thighs being lifted. A “tummy tuck” is performed after this, which completes the procedure.

To prevent the irritation and the rashes on skin occurred due to rubbing of the skin folds together, Belt Lipectomy surgery also helps in increasing the mobility, which gets reduced by the large, fatty skin folds.

This surgical procedure can be performed through different incision patterns and methods. The surgeon will determine the most appropriate technique of performing a belt lipectomy during your pre-operative consultation.

Belt lipectomy is usually performed under general anesthesia. In some cases, intravenous sedation (spinal) can be used, in which case the patient will be awake.

Once anaesthetized, the surgeon will begin to proceed through the particular incisions:

  • For lateral thigh or buttock lifting, the incision is made over the outer thigh regions and buttocks circumferentially to allow the removal of extra fat and skin.
  • For tummy-tuck, the surgeon will make an incision across your lower waistline, from hip to hip. If necessary, another incision can be made around your navel region. This kind of technique is mostly used to tighten the abdominal muscles and to allow the body for more contour perfection.

After the procedure, the surgeon may use skin adhesives or sutures to close the incision. After that, he may apply compression wraps or bandages. The operation typically takes 4-5 hours to complete.

Operational Techniques

The operational techniques for performing belt lipectomy can vary from one surgeon to another. The pattern and length of incisions the surgeon will use will depend on a number of factors, including the amount of excess skin and fat.

A common operational technique is to use a “bikini pattern” of surgical excision to tighten the stomach, groin, waist, buttocks, and thighs in one procedure. A further incision is made around the body to remove layers of excess skin and fat followed by repositioning and tightening tissues.

The surgeon may also perform liposuction for additional contouring. Stitches will then be placed deep in the underlying tissue to help support and achieve the desired contour.

The results of your belt lipectomy will be visible immediately after the surgery. However, it may take around 3-6 months before the final results are seen. Belt lipectomy provides long-lasting results as long as the patient maintains healthy dietary and exercise habits.

  • Read the pre-surgery instructions.
  • This will help prevent complications and improve the outcome of your surgery.
  • It is important to quit smoking at least several weeks before the surgery because smoking can slow down the effects of anesthesia and complicate the healing process.
  • Do not eat or drink anything 8 hours before your surgery.
  • Read the recovery instructions.
  • After the surgery, patients normally spend three nights in the hospital and then rest at home/hotel thereafter.
  • One should take care of the dressing, bandages, and binders around the waist and abdominal region to provide sustenance, support, and to reduce the discomfort.
  • Take care of the thin, small tube that has been placed under the skin for the drainage of fluid or blood that may ooze out.
  • Take the prescribed pain medications and antibiotics on time.
  • The clinic staff will advise you about bathing and changing of dressings at home.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise, bending, heavy lifting as well as putting unnecessary pressure on the wound for the first 6 weeks.
  • Your surgeon will tell you how soon you will be able to return to your routine activities.

FLEUR-DE-LIS ABDOMINOPLASTY

Fleur-de-Lis abdominoplasty, also known as fleur-de-lis tummy tuck, is a cosmetic procedure performed with the aim of removing a large amount of excess skin from the abdomen. The surgeon will also remove some targeted fat and repair abdominal muscles during the procedure if this is needed, as performed with a standard tummy tuck.

The surgeon removes a panel of skin that’s shaped like the three petals of a fleur-de-lis (“flower of the lily). The top peak of this panel is near the breastbone, while the farthest peaks at the sides are around the hip bones.

After removing the panel of excess skin, the surgeon shapes the underlying fat and muscle as needed. The remaining skin is then pulled together for a shapely contour.

Fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty gets its name from the shape of the incision. The surgery is an inpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia.

Usually, the incision is placed just above the pubic region. The longer the scar the more tissue can be removed. The surgeon will discuss the length of your scar at your consultation. A vertical line is drawn down the middle of the abdomen and skin is removed on either side of this in a triangle. The skin is separated from the underlying tissue from the pubic region upwards.

The extent of dissection will vary from patient to patient. The abdominal wall is then tightened, and the belly button is relocated to a more favorable position. Excess fat and skin is trimmed and the incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches.

  • Read the pre-surgery instructions.
  • This will help prevent complications and improve the outcome of your surgery.
  • Plan to take at least 2 weeks off work and your usual activities.
  • Arrange someone to take you home after surgery and plan to have someone helping you at home for the first week.
  • Do not eat or drink anything 8 hours before your surgery.
  • Read the recovery instructions.
  • You may experience some swelling and discomfort initially after surgery. These symptoms are normal and will subside after a few days.
  • You will usually be able to return home one day after surgery.
  • Take care to keep the wounds dry for a week.
  • You will need to wear a support garment for 4-6 weeks. This will aid recovery and help minimise swelling.
  • Light exercise may be resumed after 1 week.
  • You will need to return to the clinic for a check-up after one week.

REVERSE ABDOMINOPLASTY

Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is an increasingly common surgical procedure to remove excess abdominal skin and fat.

Whereas traditional abdominoplasty addresses the issue of loose skin in both the upper and lower abdomen, reverse abdominoplasty focuses on removing excess, loose skin from only the upper abdomen, resulting in a firmer, flatter stomach.

When is Reverse Abdominoplasty Better than Traditional Abdominoplasty?

Reverse abdominoplasty is suitable for Individuals with a generally tight midsection but with noticeable skin excess and stubborn fat in the upper abdomen that cannot be adequately addressed with traditional abdominoplasty.

Just as with traditional abdominoplasty, results are typically permanent. However, patients should maintain a healthy weight with diet and exercise, since fluctuations in weight can affect results.

The surgery begins with incisions placed along the lower breast fold and then across the lower sternum to connect both sides of the abdomen. The resulting scars are easily hidden even under a bikini.

The full thickness of the skin is lifted down the abdomen preserving the vital blood supply on either side of the belly button. Upper abdominal muscles will also be tightened if necessary. Liposuction may be used to address excess abdominal fat. With reverse abdominoplasty, there is no need to reposition the belly button, which usually forms a part of the traditional tummy tuck.

  • Read the pre-surgery instructions. This will help prevent complications and improve the outcome of your surgery.
  • Plan to take at least 2 weeks off work and your usual activities.
  • Arrange someone to take you home after surgery and plan to have someone helping you at home for the first week.
  • Do not eat or drink anything 8 hours before your surgery.
  • Read the recovery instructions.
  • Some swelling and bruising is normal post-surgery; post-operative pain can be controlled with painkillers.
  • The incisions will be covered by a bandage or compression garment. This should be left in place until your surgeon advises you that it is safe to remove it.
  • Once the bandage has been removed, take care to keep the incision clean.
  • Take all medications prescribed by your doctor.
  • Your surgeon may recommend a topical medication. This should be applied to the scar according to instructions given to you.