Abdominoplasty

No, Tummy tuck is done for men too. It’s most commonly done for women as the physiology of pregnancy leaves excess abdominal skin. In men, it’s generally done after significant weight loss and after bariatric surgery.

The scar size and location will depend on the type of abdominoplasty needed. For a traditional tummy tuck, the scar will be from hip to hip and most doctors will do their best to ensure that the scar is along the waistline and hidden under the inner garment. You will also have a scar around your belly button because it’s actually relocated during the procedure.

For patients undergoing a mini tummy tuck, the incision leaves a scar a little longer than a C-section scar in the waistline.

For patients who are interested in a tummy tuck after significant weight loss or weight loss surgery, there is horizontal and vertical skin excess that extends up the midline of the abdomen. Hence removal of the excess skin in both axes results in an upside-down T scar across the abdomen

If you’re a woman who plans to get pregnant, then you may want to postpone a tummy tuck until you’re done having children. During surgery, your vertical muscles are tightened, and future pregnancies can separate those muscles. Also, the skin will get stretched, leaving excess in the lower abdomen again, though it may be less than in the previous pregnancy.

Tummy tuck surgery should not be done on a patient on a weight reduction regimen. It’s better to do the surgery, once body weight is stabilized for a minimum of 3-6 months.

Also, Patients who underwent bariatric surgery, cannot undergo tummy tuck surgery immediately. They have to wait for a minimum of 6 months after the bariatric surgery and stable weight for a minimum of 3 months.

Tummy tuck should not be considered an alternative or an aid to weight loss. A stable weight is important for the abdominoplasty procedure. If you lose additional weight after surgery, then your abdominal skin will again become saggy.

A person with a BMI of more than 40 is generally not considered for abdominoplasty as the chances of complications are higher and the desired result will not be achieved. A BMI of less than 30 is generally considered ideal and patients with a BMI of 30 – 40 are considered as a relative contraindication but surgery can be considered after proper assessment on a case-to-case basis.

Yes, the hernia repair and abdominoplasty can be done as a combined procedure. The patient may have a hernia due to congenital abdominal weakness or after previous surgery (incisional hernia). In both cases, the abdominoplasty procedure can be combined. An ultrasound / CT scan is done to assess the hernia size, location, and contents before surgery. The hernia will be repaired using the native abdominal tissue or synthetic mesh depending on the need and the surgeon’s choice.

Yes, it is done in the majority of cases. Since the abdominoplasty removes only the lower abdominal skin, there could be excess/irregular fat deposits in the upper abdomen and on the sides. When skin from the upper abdomen gets pulled down, it can lead to an unnatural bulge on the hips or a lack of definition. In order to get the best results, we use liposuction to help them reshape and contour the area.

There are many benefits of abdominoplasty that extend beyond the cosmetic appearance. Removing excess skin and tightening lax muscles can provide both physical and mental benefits

Patients generally feel a lot more confident in their clothes after a tummy tuck.

Some studies have suggested that tummy tucks may help with urinary incontinence
An integral part of a tummy tuck is repairing the rectus diastasis, which is a space between the rectus muscles that naturally occurs after childbirth or a large amount of weight loss. For patients with significant diastasis, repairing this can help improve their core stability and can also help with back pain and bloating.

Removing the excess lower abdominal skin helps to maintain better hygiene and avoid intertrigo in the waist and genital area.

Tummy tuck can be done as a daycare procedure, especially in cases of mini-abdominoplasty

In patients undergoing total abdominoplasty, one or 2 days of admission is required for monitoring and pain relief.

The following are the common complications, but the majority can be avoided if adequate care is taken

.
• Seroma – a collection of fluid in the abdomen
• Bleeding or hematoma
• Infection
• Contour irregularity
• Unsightly scar
• Abdominal Skin Necrosis (Skin Death)

These are the general guidelines and the specific orders will be given by the surgeon depending on the type of procedure done and the wound healing.

Ambulation/walking is generally started on the same day/next day of surgery
Walking with bending forward to avoid tension in the abdomen and to relax the abdominal muscles

Have the legs bent/have a pillow under your knees while lying down / sleeping. This will reduce the tension in the abdominal muscles.

Not to lift weights for a minimum of 4 – 6 weeks

High fiber diet and adequate water intake. This will avoid constipation, which will strain the sutures and the muscle approximation

Bathing is generally advised after first dressing, as per the surgeon’s discretion

Surgical scar care started after the wound healing. scar reducing cream and scar massage is advised.

Compression garment – 4 – 6 weeks

The cost of abdominoplasty/tummy tuck varies from Rs. 70000 to Rs. 300000, depending on the complexity of the Procedure

• Type of abdominoplasty
• Type of Anesthesia
• Needed for liposuction
• Associated Hernia
• Needed for synthetic mesh
• Duration of Stay in Hospital