Abdominal stretching is a successfully used procedure by aesthetic and plastic surgeons to shape the body and abdomen. With the combination of liposuction in recent years, patient happiness and satisfaction have increased and the results have been even more appreciated.
Why is our belly dangling?
The abdominal muscles function as the front wall of the abdomen, keeping our internal organs inside and making the abdomen look flat. In time, due to excessive weight changes and pregnancy, the tissues between the abdominal muscles are torn and the abdominal muscles dissociates. With the pressure of the organs towards the abdomen, it becomes a protruding, drooping image.
In tummy tuck surgery, the expanding front wall is narrowed, the dissolved abdominal muscles as a result of laxity is repaired, the sagging skin excess and fat are taken and the appearance of a more tight and flat abdomen is achieved. A new and more beautiful belly button is placed. In addition, liposuction is applied to the waist region to restore the waist curvature and hourglass figure.
Who can have abdominoplasty?
Depending on the natural anatomical structure of the women, the belly fat is more in the lower region and abdominal muscles are weaker. Especially after birth, cracks occur in this area, the skin loosens and prolapses and the shape of the belly button deteriorates in young and middle-aged women. The inclusion of weight that cannot be after birth leads to the formation of the belly which cannot be concealed in the clothes.
During pregnancy, the baby growing inside the trunk causes the abdominal wall to gradually stretch.In the last period before birth, this strain increases so much that the connective tissue fibers under the skin are torn and cracks occur. This strain also causes the ligaments of muscles forming the abdominal wall to loosen and tear. After childbirth, this loosening can never be restored entirely. Diet and Sports will of course increase the recovery of muscles, but the cracked and sagged skin will not improve, the laxity between muscles will continue even when they evolve. Multiple births at an early age or twin pregnancies will increase this negative effect.
Other than that, all women who suffer from sagging and crack problems in the abdominal region due to weight loss are candidates for this process, even if they do not experience pregnancy.
Men to have abdominoplasty?
Men who lose excess weight through diet or obesity surgery also have abdominal skin sagging. These people can also get rid of their problems with tummy tuck surgery.
Is tummy tuck the only method for shaping the abdomen?
Many factors such as the person's age, weight, number of births, planned future births, body mass index (BMI), skin quality, fat storage pattern, expectations from the procedure, presence of abdominal hernia/umbilical hernia are evaluated together during the consultation to shape the abdominal region.
Only liposuction can be sufficient for those having excess fat aside from good skin quality and abdominal wall and without cracks, regardless of whether they have given birth or not. Mini abdominal stretching (mini abdominoplasty) can be applied to people who have proper abdominal wall but only minor cracks and fat accumulations in the lower abdomen.
Abdominoplasty will also be a good choice for people with thoroughly loose and sagging stomachs and extensive cracks.
In cases with severe sagging due to excessive weight loss, “360 body lift” (belt lipectomy), which includes the butt area, will be required.
Moreover, the “fleur de lis” procedure, performed with a vertical incision above and below the navel, may also be required for cases where sag layers are seen on the front wall of the abdomen.
Certainly, the strict rules never work in aesthetic and plastic surgery. Each person's body structure and response to the process is unique.That’s why we often modify these processes individually or apply various combinations according to the person’s condition, expectations and demands.
How is tummy tuck done?
Before the process, drawings and markings are made while the person is standing and lying down. According to these drawings, cracked and sagged skin is removed and abdominal wall muscles are repaired and reshaped more firmly with sutures. Fat in the waist area is taken with liposuction to provide the natural waist curves. Then, a more smooth and uncluttered appearance is achieved by moving down the firm, crackless skin located in the upper umbilical area.
The belly button is also redesigned and scaled down during these operations. A new, smaller and elongated belly button may sometimes be the happiest part of a tummy tuck.
How long does the surgery take?
Tummy Tuck is usually completed in 2-3 hours. However, depending on the additional procedures and the extent of the procedure, duration may change.
Anesthesia method
Abdominoplasty operation is an aesthetic surgery performed by plastic surgeon(s) under general anesthesia in operating room conditions.
Before abdominoplasty
Your doctor will explain in detail what you need to do before surgery, we will list some of our general recommendations:
- If you smoke, it is best to quit at least 2 weeks before surgery.
- You should avoid the sun during this period.
- At least 1 week before the operation, it is important to stop taking medicines such as vitamin E, aspirin, coumadin and all kinds of herbal food supplements, herbal teas and vitamins.
- Heavy diet regimens should not be applied before surgery.
After abdominoplasty
When you wake up after operation, you will see that a special corset is wrapped around your stomach and you are lying in a special position with your knees bent. The corset is fitted to protect the new shape of your body during recovery. And your lying position is for your comfort by reducing tension.
It is necessary to stay in hospital for at least one night after the procedure. After 3-4 hours you can stand up and take liquid food. The drain is usually pulled the next morning (in some cases we can keep the drain for a few days for our patient's safety). Mostly, You can take a shower after 3 days. We recommend wearing the corset for at least 3 weeks.
Mini abdominoplasty
Skin elasticity, sagging level and the extent of laxity in the abdominal muscles are important in the planning of abdominal stretching operations.
While the classical abdominal stretching surgery is applied where the abdominal skin loosens and droops and too much fat accumulations in the abdomen, the operations called mini abdominoplasty or mini abdominal stretching are performed only in the region under the navel.
Mini abdominal stretching operation has no effect on waist and groin area. It may be a solution in cases where the abdominal fat is moderate and in the lower half of the abdomen and the sagging of the abdominal skin is limited to this area.
Questions from you about abdominoplasty
How long after birth can I have abdominoplasty?
It will be rational to wait 1 year for abdominal stretching after pregnancy. During this period, you will not only lose kilos that you can, but the size of the sagging and cracks in abdominal region will be possible to evaluate.
How much does an abdominoplasty cost?
The cost of cosmetic surgery is no longer as high as before. However, the experience and accomplishments of your doctor, the facilities of the hospital where you will be treated and quality of the medical equipment used will be effective on these prices.
When it comes to your health, my advice would be not to take big risks. You can contact us to learn about abdominal stretching prices.
Is abdominoplasty painful?
The pains after Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Procedures are the type that responds to painkillers. To prevent pain, you will already be given the necessary medication as long as you are hospitalized. Most of our patients say that they sleep comfortably on the first night after the procedure. Returning home; you will not have any problems if you use the painkillers prescribed to you. After the third day; very few people need medication anyway.
Do scars remain after abdominoplasty?
Aesthetic plastic surgeon plans the drawings of abdominal stretching on the patient so that the scars remain in the bikini or underwear. In our clinic, we perform this procedure with a “super low” incision.
If you have an existing caesarean section, the scar of abdominal stretching will be a little longer and rise sideways.
Although the scars are initially red / pink, they will fade within 3-6 months as the healing is completed and become vague.
If those with wound healing disorders, such as hypertrophic scar/keloid formation, indicate their condition before the procedure, necessary precautions will be taken.
What can be done with very large and saggy abdomens?
Special procedures should be applied for people who have lost excess weight or have a very sagging belly. For this group of patients, the procedure requires both aesthetic and functionality. The lives of these people might be facilitated with some featured and specialized initiatives such as 360 body lift and belt lipectomy, thigh lift operations, butt augmentation with their own tissues in the same session etc.
Can I get pregnant after abdominal surgery?
Abdominal surgery has nothing to do with getting pregnant. You may get pregnant after a tummy tuck operation. Naturally pregnancy will cause some amount of sagging in your abdominal area. It is always possible to prevent excessive sagging by paying attention to your diet and doing sports.
Can I have abdominoplasty for the second time?
It is possible for you to have another abdominal stretching one year after the previous surgery.
How soon can I return to my normal life after abdominoplasty?
There will be swelling in your abdomen for the first few days after surgery. To have some pain that controllable with painkillers is also normal.
You will have to be hospitalized for at least one day after the operation. Drains are usually removed the next morning, but in some cases it may need to remain for several days.
You can mostly shower after 3 days.
You will need to wear a corset for 3 weeks.
Are there any risks in abdominoplasty?
After all surgical procedures, there are rare risks just like bleeding, late recovery or the suture rips.
People with wound healing disorders, hypertrophic scarring or keloid tendency have a significant scar risk. The necessary measures will be taken if the persons with these tendencies have indicated before the transaction.
