Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck is usually performed under general anesthesia (you sleep through the procedure). Time in surgery is for about two to five hours.

At Hande Hospital Abdominoplasty is also routinely performed along with a Ventral Hernia repair (Umbilical, Para-Umbilical, and Incisional Hernia). It can also be combined with Hysterectomy and other elective procedures and many of our patients opt for this combination of procedures after the surgeon has determined the feasibility of combining both procedures.

The ideal candidates for tummy tuck surgery are patients who are in relatively good physical shape, but have excess skin or fat in the abdominal area that is resistant to exercise. This includes the laxity of underlying muscles (Rectus Abdominis) due to pregnancy, which makes it very difficult for mothers to return their abdominal area to a flat appearance. For these women, the skin and muscles have stretched beyond the point where they can naturally return to their normal location and shape.

Other candidates can include patients who have lost a lot of weight and have excess skin in the abdominal area. The normal aging process can also cause skin to sag or lose elasticity, making many older patients excellent tummy tuck candidates.

A tummy tuck usually begins with an incision in the lower part of the abdomen just above the pubic hairline. The incision is placed in such a manner that the final scar that results is well hidden within the panty line. When a decision to retain the Umbilicus is taken, a second incision is made to free the navel from the abdominal tissue. The skin is separated from the abdominal wall, up to the ribs, exposing the vertical abdominal muscles (rectus muscles). The rectus muscles are then stitched into a new position, tightening the muscles and reducing the waistline. Any hernia – Umbilical, Para-Umbilical or Incisional is repaired during this time and a mesh is used if necessary to reinforce the repair. After the muscles have been repositioned and tightened, the excess skin is stretched and removed.
The remaining skin is redraped over the abdominal area and sutured in place. The hole created by the incision around the belly button is normally removed when the excess skin is cut away, and a new hole is formed to place the navel proportionally. If on the other hand the Umbilicus is distorted or not cosmetically acceptable in the first place a new Umbilicus is created as shown in the photograph.

After Tummy Tuck the patient usually stays in Hospital for between three to five days. As soon as the drainage tubes are removed, the patient is ready to go home. The patient is asked to come back to the hospital about three days later and the Elastic Plaster is removed and the patient is asked to wear an abdominal corset. Patients are requested to wear the corset for at least one and half months. The corset  is like an undergarment and the patient can wear her usual dress over it go about her normal activities. We usually advise the patients not to lift any heavy weights for about three months after the procedure. Sutures or Clips as the case may be are usually removed between days 12 and 14.

The abdominal scars will appear to worsen during the first three to six months, and may take nine months before they flatten and lighten in color. The scars never completely disappear, but they are located well within the Panty line.