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A tummy tuck (also called an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck) is used to remove excess skin from the abdominal area. Wrinkled, sagging skin flaps (fat pads) often arise as a result of extreme weight loss, for example through weight reduction after pregnancy, through diets, or stomach reductions. Congenital weakness of the connective tissue or increasing age can also contribute to the development of a greatly expanded abdominal wall.

In addition to sagging skin flaps, those affected often also suffer from:

• Stretch marks (stretch marks)
• A drifting apart of the vertical abdominal muscles (diastasis rectus)

If the skin is no longer elastic enough, the tissue cannot recede. Exercise or a change in diet will also not help to get rid of the irritating skin flaps. This can be corrected with an operation using a tummy tuck, in which the surgeon tightens slack tissue and removes excess skin flaps. Often the navel is moved upwards during the procedure. This operation is usually not medically necessary. If a patient suffers from excess fat, but at the same time still has firm, elastic skin, experts usually recommend liposuction.

Depending on the physical requirements and wishes of the patient, the attending physician can choose different surgical methods for the tummy tuck. During the operation, a horizontal incision is made over the genital area, which extends from the iliac crest to the iliac crest. After the operation, this scar fades, just like a scar that surgeons place on the belly button. Nevertheless, a long, clearly visible scar usually remains. A tummy tuck is not intended to reduce weight and should only be attempted once the personal ideal weight has been reached.

Tummy tuck: procedure

A tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure and is usually performed by aesthetic plastic surgeons under general anesthesia in a clinic. If necessary, the doctor will move the belly button. Before the actual procedure, you will discuss in detail with the surgeon what successes you want and can achieve with the operation. Because a tummy tuck is not suitable for everyone.

There is enough time between the preliminary talk and the procedure so that you can think twice about the operation. You will also find out whether you need to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners or antihypertensive drugs. In order to keep the risk of surgery as low as possible, your doctor will advise you to begin light running or cycling training two to three months before the procedure, which is intended to improve your general fitness.

Right before the operation, your doctor will mark the areas for you where he will suck off fat and perform a lift. Since the incisions in a tummy tuck are relatively large, the doctor will discuss the incision with you in advance. It can make sense to think about how you can hide the later scars under your swimsuit, for example.

Tummy tuck: methods

The tummy tuck is the most common surgery performed after drastic weight loss. An important prerequisite is that the patient has now reached a bodyweight with which he is satisfied. There are essentially five different methods used in a tummy tuck. Which technique the surgeon decides on depends on the physical requirements and individual ideas of the patient.

Tummy Tuck surgical techniques:

• Mini tummy tuck
• Large Tummy Tuck - Fleur-de-Lis Technique
• Upper tummy tuck
• Removal of fat aprons
• Body lifting

After the tummy tuck

After a tummy tuck, patients have to rest for up to eight weeks and strain the surgical sutures as little as possible. The healing time, depending on the severity and extent of the tightening carried out can be several weeks to a few months.

After the operation, you should sit up slowly with the help of a nurse and only get up under supervision. It is important not to tense the abdominal muscles - neither when going to the toilet nor when coughing. The intestines also have to get used to the restricted space - therefore you should ensure a soft stool.

Do not force yourself to walk upright in the days after the operation, but straighten yourself up so that you do not feel any tension on the scar. You will notice it when you can straighten yourself a little further.

Pain is rather rare, most patients find the procedure to be rather painless. However, well-tolerated painkillers are prescribed, tailored to the needs of the patient. In addition, a stomach protection agent should be taken once a day. For the period of inpatient stay, the patients also receive a daily injection for thrombosis prophylaxis. Antibiotics are also prescribed for about one to five days.

After the operation, a plaster bandage protects the wounds and compresses also fixes the area. Custom-made compression garments are put on in the operating room. It prevents the cavities created by the operation from filling with tissue fluid, blood, or dissolved fat.

The applied compression girdle should be worn continuously for six to eight weeks. The bodice is very important because it works against swelling, stabilizes the fresh seams, protects against overloading, and relieves the wound. The bodice can be taken off for a short shower, but the wounds must be protected with special shower plasters. If the wounds or the staples become damp anyway, they must be gently blow-dried if necessary. Otherwise, the bodices should be worn day and night, including when sleeping.

The first adhesive plasters should be changed after two to three days. The plasters that are then stuck on can remain on the wounds for five to ten days, provided the wounds are not wet. If you have oozing wounds, a doctor should change the plaster.

About two to three weeks after the operation, all the scabs will have fallen off, then you can treat the scars with silicone gel pads. This is considered to be the best measure to keep beautiful scars after the tummy tuck.

If pregnancy is planned, a tummy tuck should not be performed.

Tummy tuck: risks

Abdominoplasty is now widely performed and it is a routine procedure. Nevertheless, you should take the time to look for an experienced expert who has already performed this procedure many times.