Abdominoplasty Tummy Tuck

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 dissociate. 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 are repaired, the sagging skin excess and fat are taken and the appearance of a tighter and flatter abdomen is achieved. A new and more beautiful belly button is placed. In addition, liposuction is performed on 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, and 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 performed on people who have proper abdominal walls but only minor cracks and fat accumulations in the lower abdomen.

Abdominoplasty will also be an excellent choice for people with thoroughly loose and sagging stomachs and extensive cracks.

In cases with severe sagging due to excessive weight loss, a “360 body lift” (belt lipectomy), which includes the butt area, would be necessary.

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, strict rules never work in aesthetic and plastic surgery. Each person's body structure and response to the process is unique. That is 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 applied 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 removed with liposuction to provide 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, the duration may change.

Anesthesia method

An abdominoplasty operation is an aesthetic surgery performed by a plastic surgeon 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 followed before surgery.

After abdominoplasty

When you wake up after the 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 the tension.

It is necessary to stay in the 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 removed 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 performed on the area where the abdominal skin loosens and droops and too much fat accumulates 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 does not affect the 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.

Types of Body Aesthetic Surgery

There are different types of body aesthetics that can be applied depending on the type of problem experienced.