Both female and male patients with excess skin in the abdominal area are suitable candidates for abdominoplasty. Female patients planning to become pregnant again are advised to postpone their surgery until after pregnancy.
During the consultation, your general health will be assessed. Your current illnesses, medications, previous surgeries, and pregnancies (for female patients) will be discussed. It is particularly important to evaluate any previous surgeries in the abdominal area. A detailed examination will be performed. The sagging of your abdominal skin and the quality of your skin will be assessed. Photographs will be taken before every cosmetic surgery, and drawings will be made immediately before the surgery to plan the procedure.
Our surgery will leave a linear scar between both hip bones, which will remain hidden under your underwear/bikini, and a scar around your belly button. Detailed information is provided. The scar left by the surgery will be permanent. Although it will be more noticeable initially, it will fade within a year.
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. It takes approximately 2-3 hours. Excess sagging skin and fat tissue are removed. The underlying muscles are tightened. In patients who require it, liposuction can be added to the waist area to achieve a better contour. In this surgery, tubes called drains, which create negative pressure, must be used to prevent blood and serum from accumulating under the skin. They are usually removed 2-3 days later, at the time of discharge, although it may rarely be necessary to keep them in for a longer period.
We recommend staying in the hospital for 2 nights after the surgery. You will experience pain that can be controlled with pain medication. We will prescribe pain medication for you to take after discharge. We recommend resting for 7-10 days. You will also need to wear a special corset for 6 weeks.
You can see the results of the surgery immediately, but the swelling associated with the operation will take about 1 month to subside, and it will take 6-12 months for the abdomen to take its final shape.
The results of the surgery are permanent. However, especially if there are reasons such as frequent weight gain and loss and pregnancy, another tummy tuck may be necessary in later years to counteract sagging that develops over time.
Every surgery has risks. There may be early or late complications related to anesthesia or surgery.
In the early postoperative period, bleeding, infection, or wound dehiscence may occur. Due to abdominal tension, wound healing problems may arise. Minimal asymmetry may be present in your scar. Numbness may be felt in the lower abdomen. Numbness is usually a temporary complaint. It may rarely be permanent. This risk is increased in smokers. Your scars may heal with swelling.
Among cosmetic surgeries, this procedure has the highest risk of blood clots. This risk is increased in smokers. Necessary precautions are taken before and after the surgery.
Another complication is the inability to nourish the lower abdomen or belly button, and the loss of part or all of the abdomen or belly button. Although very rare, it is possible. The risk increases, especially in smokers, as the nourishment of the abdomen will be impaired. For this reason, you should refrain from smoking for at least one month before and after tummy tuck surgery.
Abdominoplasty does not prevent pregnancy. However, it is not recommended for at least 1 year after surgery. If you are planning to become pregnant soon, it is recommended that the surgery be scheduled after pregnancy.