A tummy tuck surgery is called an abdominoplasty. A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that tightens abdominal muscles and removes excess body fat and excess skin. Both men and women undergo tummy tuck operations.
The Surgery
A plastic surgeon performs a tummy tuck operation. The surgery usually takes from 2 to 5 hours. A tummy tuck operation is performed under general anesthesia (the patient is asleep during the surgery). The plastic surgeon makes an incision below the bikini line. If the patient has a lot of excess skin, the surgeon may have to make an additional incision around the belly button. The surgeon pulls the skin away from the abdominal muscles, removes excess fat and sutures the muscles to make them tighter. The surgeon then closes the incisions, bandages the incisions and brings the patient into the recovery room, where he will wake up.
Recovery
Depending on the patient and the extent of the tummy tuck surgery, recovery can take from 2 to 6 weeks. The first week or two can be very painful for the patient. Some doctors prescribe light exercise to assist in the healing. The surgery leaves scars, but the scars are usually in areas that are not easily noticed to others. The scars fade over time but do not fully go away.
Extra Procedures
During a tummy tuck procedure, the surgeon may also remove stretch marks and perform liposuction on other areas of the body. These extra procedures are agreed upon with the patient before surgery.
Risks
A tummy tuck surgery can pose health risks. Possible health risks include anesthesia reactions, blood clots, infection, keloids, necrosis of the skin and swelling. If you are considering getting a tummy tuck, talk with a plastic surgeon to learn more about the risks involved.
