What is a tummy tuck?
Who after a pregnancy, drastic weight loss or old age suffer from excess abdominal skin, can be helped with a tummy tuck. This procedure is also suitable for women who have slack abdominal wall muscles after pregnancy or who have scars or stretch marks on the abdominal wall.
Those who mainly struggle with fat deposits can be helped with liposuction. Together with our surgeon, it will be decided what the best option and method will be for you.
We would like to emphasize that a tummy tuck is not a method for losing weight or losing weight.
Procedure – How does a tummy tuck work?
- An incision is made around the navel on one side (which releases it from the surrounding tissue) and an incision is made under the bikini line from hip to hip on the other side.
- The skin tissue is then loosened from the underlying muscles up to the rib cage.
- Slack abdominal muscles are stitched together. This is also called 'reefing'.
- The loosened skin is then pulled down to the incision below the bikini line. Excess tissue is removed and the incision is carefully sewn closed.
- The repositioning of the navel is done by means of a small hole in the skin. The navel is then stitched into it.
Benefits
- Your abdomen will look tighter, firmer and lifted again.
- Excess skin and fatty tissue has disappeared.
- Your skin looks younger and more resilient.
- Your posture will improve significantly.
- Clothes fit better.
- You feel better about yourself.
Disadvantages or complications
It is important that you realize that every surgical procedure can have risks and complications. In plastic surgery procedures, it is basically about healthy people and the risks and chance of complications are small. Discuss your medical history, medication intake, lifestyle, etc. in advance with our surgeon.
Complications of a tummy tuck may include:
- Hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that requires removal)
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Post-operative bleeding
- Infection
- Necrosis
- Change of feeling
- Permanently visible scars
- Damage to underlying structures
- Unsatisfactory aesthetic result.
- Excessive edema formation in the abdominal cavity
Recovery – What to Expect After a Tummy Tuck?
- After a tummy tuck, you will stay in the clinic for one night. If the plastic surgeon deems it safe, you may go home the next day.
- Arrange transportation because driving yourself is not an option.
- Your abdomen will feel painful and tight on the skin and muscles for the first few days. We advise you to take two Paracetamol tablets (500 mg) every four to six hours for the pain. When the pain subsides, reduce to 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours.
- Avoid strenuous exercise during the first week such as lifting, hoisting, bending over, playing sports, etc.
- During the first four weeks you will wear a supportive corset day and night, and for the next two weeks you will only wear it during the day.
- Swelling and bruising will occur and may even worsen during the first few days. This usually subsides after day 3.
- Scars will be red and swollen. The skin may feel hard for a few weeks. Your scars will take a long time to calm down, which can take anywhere from six months to a year and a half.
- Once your wounds have closed and the scabs have disappeared, you can start applying a nourishing and disinfecting scar cream (twice a day).
- After 6 weeks, you may build up your exercise. After 3 months, you may only make maximum efforts.
What is a mini tummy tuck?
A mini tummy tuck is intended for patients with limited skin elasticity and excess skin that is located far below the navel. This procedure is less invasive than a full tummy tuck and leaves fewer scars. The incision in this type of tummy tuck is hidden in the bikini line, leaving only an inconspicuous scar in the pubic area and not around the navel. The scar of the mini tummy tuck may initially be a little red, but is guaranteed to fade over the following months.
Procedure – How does a mini tummy tuck work?
- Through a transverse incision in the lower abdomen, the excess skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue are detached from the abdominal wall down to the navel.
- The two straight abdominal muscles located under the navel are tightened and stitched tightly together again. In addition, the loosened layer is also stitched after it has been pulled down tightly and the excess fatty tissue has been removed.
- This procedure takes 60 to 75 minutes and is performed under general anesthesia.
Benefits
- A mini tummy tuck is less invasive than a full tummy tuck and leaves less scarring.
- Ideal for those with poor skin elasticity, local fat accumulation and less tight rectus abdominis muscles in the area below the navel (e.g. after pregnancy).
- The scars are less visible and are located in/under the bikini line.
Disadvantages or complications
Complications of a tummy tuck may include:
- Hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin that may require removal)
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Post-operative bleeding
- Infection
- Necrosis
- Change of feeling
- Permanently visible scars
- Damage to underlying structures
- Unsatisfactory aesthetic result.
- Excessive edema formation in the abdominal cavity
Recovery – How to Prepare for a Mini Tummy Tuck?
- After a mini tummy tuck you can go home the same day.
- Arrange transportation because driving yourself is not an option.
- Your abdomen will feel painful and tight on the skin and muscles for the first few days. We advise you to take two Paracetamol tablets (500 mg) every four to six hours for the pain. When the pain subsides, reduce to 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours.
- Avoid strenuous exercise during the first week such as lifting, hoisting, bending over, playing sports, etc.
- During the first four weeks you will wear a supportive corset day and night, and for the next two weeks you will only wear it during the day.
- Swelling and bruising will occur and may even worsen during the first few days. This usually subsides after day 3.
- Scars will be red and swollen. The skin may feel hard for a few weeks. Your scars will take a long time to calm down, which can take anywhere from six months to a year and a half.
- Once your wounds have closed and the scabs have disappeared, you can start applying a nourishing and disinfecting scar cream (twice a day).
- After 6 weeks, you may build up your exercise. After 3 months, you may only make maximum efforts.