What to Do After Abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery is one of the most common aesthetic surgery procedures. Abdominoplasty, which is one of the most effective methods used in the fields of abdominal and belly aesthetics, provides removal of deformations in the abdomen and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Especially after the pregnancy period, it may be the case that the muscles and skin in the abdominal region of women do not return to their original state. This deformation is much more pronounced in women who have gained much more weight than is considered normal during pregnancy and have given birth more than twice.

After the pregnancy period, due to the loosening of the connective tissue in the abdominal wall and the anterior movement of the abdominal wall, there may be slack and cracks in the abdomen. As a result, an aesthetically undesirable appearance may be encountered. The inadequacy of sports and diet in order to eliminate this deformation causes an increase in the number of people who want to obtain a definitive solution with tummy tuck surgery. With tummy tuck surgery, loosened sagging abdominal skin is collected, excess fat concentrated in the area is removed and the person is provided with a flat stomach. 

How is Abdominoplasty Performed?

The scope and techniques of the procedure to be applied in tummy tuck surgery are determined by detailed examination and radiological imaging techniques specific to the patient. First, the sagging and cracked skin in the area up to the navel is removed with the line drawn sideways from the area known as the cesarean section mark. Then the skin above the navel is stretched downwards and the navel is reconstructed so that it can be in a suitable position.

If there is a problem of excessive lubrication in addition to looseness and sagging in the skin, excess fat may be removed by liposuction. Compression of the relaxed abdominal muscles is achieved by means of collecting sutures positioned on the membranes of the abdominal wall. Thus, the former hardness of the abdomen is restored. After the tummy tuck surgery is completed, the incisions are stitched with aesthetic stitches. With tummy tuck surgery, problems such as cracked skin, looseness and sagging of the abdomen, which occur due to excess weight gain or pregnancy, are eliminated. 

Complete abdominoplasty, also known as total abdominoplasty, is completed within 3-3.5 hours, but it may take longer for people with a large abdomen. Mini tummy tuck surgery is applied to patients with milder sagging and looseness problems and is usually performed within 1.5 hours.

Recovery Process After Abdominoplasty

As is the case with all surgical operations, some complications may be encountered after tummy tuck surgery. Among these complications, the most important ones are bleeding and infection. In order to minimize such risks, one should be very careful during the healing process, the medications prescribed by the doctor should be taken regularly, the dressings should be done without interruption, and sudden movements should be avoided.

After the recovery period following tummy tuck surgery, patients are usually discharged after staying in the hospital for 1-2 days. The recovery process may vary depending on the scope of the operation and personal characteristics. Patients are asked to wear a special corset for about 1 month after the surgery. Thus, the desired form of the abdomen is achieved and the success of the operation is increased. The scar formed at the incision zone made during tummy tuck surgery is planned to remain inside the underwear. This scar begins to disappear within 2 months with a healthy healing process. Later, the scar becomes very indistinct.

Patients can stand up 3-4 hours after the operation and start walking with the help of a relative. It is possible to walk at a slow pace without any support on the next day of the surgery. During the operation, it is considered normal to feel pain for a short time due to the procedures applied to the abdomen and the stitches. At this stage, the use of simple painkillers prescribed by the doctor may be the solution.

After tummy tuck surgery, patients usually become able to take a bath and do their routine work on their own within 2-3 days. In the first week, the patient may get hurt during straining, sneezing and coughing, since the stitches do not fully unite yet. Since such actions are severe and may cause damage to the stitches, care should be taken as much as possible. Patients can usually return to work 7-10 days after the operation. However, this period may vary depending on the person’s recovery process and working conditions. The recovery process of mini tummy tuck surgery is different and the recovery time is usually shorter. For this reason, patients are usually able to return to work 4 days after the operation.

Abdominoplasty is not a surgical procedure that affects a person’s pregnancy. However, since a new pregnancy process will cause weight gain and some changes in the body, it is recommended that the patient undergo tummy tuck surgery after pregnancy. Thus, new sagging and cracks that may be caused by a new pregnancy and birth process will be eliminated.