Tummy tuck
Abdominal fat presses all organs around it like the liver and thus make more effort on them and disrupts them from doing their functions, in addition to affecting the heart and lungs which may lead to difficulty breathing and that’s a common problem in both sexes’ male and female, forcing many to perform a tummy tuck to get rid of excess fat or so-called “belly” and also get rid of the stretching marks on the skin after pregnancy and childbirth.
Candidates for tummy tuck
The category of women is considered to be more likely to have tummy tucks than men because women go through pregnancy and childbirth, during pregnancy and after birth, many rapid changes occur in the abdominal area so that the area is more vulnerable to loosen the skin, sagging and cracks, so it is recommended to tighten the abdomen to return to normal.
Tummy tucks can also be performed for men, but under the appropriate conditions depending on the body.
In general, 80% of the tummy tucks are performed for women and all that was mentioned in tummy tuck surgery occurs after the patient loses 30-40 kilos of weight to remove excess sagging.
What is the tummy tuck?
The tightening process is done in the abdominal area, precisely from the bottom of the navel area directly to the beginning of the genital area i.e. to the end of the abdomen, which aims to reshape the abdomen to the normal shape through the process of liposuction excess fat, sagging skin and restore the shape of the abdominal muscles to get a tight belly.
in addition, through the operation of the tummy tuck, the surgeon can modify bloating that is not affected by exercise or diet as well as treat Stretching marks on the skin after pregnancy and childbirth.
Types of tummy tuck
Full tummy tuck
Liposuction and trimming excess skin is performed starting from the lower part of the abdomen, sagging muscles are tightened along the abdomen.
Mini tummy tuck
It is a simpler and less complicated process than the first one, as it can be performed for people with saggy skin in the lower abdomen and under the navel but their abdominal muscles are strong and good. It can be done along with liposuction.
Preparations before tummy tuck
- Conduct comprehensive tests, the doctor will take your medical history and previous medicines you’ve taken.
- There should be no intention of becoming pregnant for at least one year after the operation.
- Sagging skin areas should be specific and have never responded to diet and sports.
- The procedure is not suitable for people with excessive obesity until their weight is reduced
- The patient should be in good health and good psychological condition.
- The operation is not performed on those under the age of 18.
- Stop smoking for two weeks before the operation
How tummy tuck is performed
After the above is completed and the patient is ready for the operation, the tummy tuck is performed through the following steps:
- The patient is fully sedated inside the operating room, where a tummy tuck takes about four hours.
- Your doctor will mark the area that will be treated.
- In full tummy tucks, the doctor opens an incision along with the tummy tuck and around the navel, then lifts the skin and tightens the abdomen and muscles and removes excess skin and lifts the navel to its new place, then the doctor sews the treated area, and installs two tubes in the lower abdomen to filter the various secretions from it.
- When finished, your doctor will place a compression belt on the tummy tuck.
Post- tummy tuck procedure
A tummy tuck usually takes between one and five hours and on the first day the patient needs someone to help him move
- When moving home, you must filter the secretions daily for a whole week.
- Filter tubes are removed 3 days after the operation.
- You need a two-week rest, yet it’s important to walk inside the room to avoid clots.
- Wear the compression belt continuously for 6 weeks.
- The patient should not carry heavy objects for eight weeks,
- You may experience some swelling and bruising that will gradually disappear.
- You can only exercise and swim two months after tummy tuck surgery.
- Lie on your back and lift the legs, to help return the intravenous fluids from skin incisions and legs, and avoid any swelling
- You should stay away from foods that cause gases and bloating
- You should drink a lot of fluids.
- You should also stay as far away from processed foods as possible and try to maintain your weight.