WHAT IS TUMMY TUCK? – ESSENTIALS TO KNOW

When diet and exercise fail to achieve the dream waistline or when after-pregnancy condition requires an immediate correction, Medical Travel Czech team may provide a timely advice and medical help where it is possible. Based in Prague, Medical Travel Czech clinique offers both – qualified consulting services and professional help of experienced plastic surgeons which have perfected their expertise of attaining a flat and well-toned abdomen for the patients. So, tummy tuck treatment (abdominoplasty) is a plastic surgical procedure that tightens human body muscles, removing loose skin and fat from the abdomen. Then, it appears to be flat and toned with visibly positive effect for body contouring. Since tummy tuck is a major surgery operation, it’s better to know some facts about it before choosing and deciding whether to go forward. 

Types of abdominoplasty procedure include standard tummy tuck treatment, mini-abdominoplasty surgery, lipo-abdominoplasty, extended abdominoplasy procedure.

Standard tummy tuck treatment applies to the below changes:

• Addresses the loose, sagging abdominal skin condition gained after pregnancy and weight loss;

• Surgically removes excess fat and skin from abdomen;

• Tightens weakened or separated muscles above and below the belly button,  creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer

Mini-abdominoplasty procedure usually includes:

• Surgical removal of fat and skin – specifically in the area below the belly button;

• Tightens the weakened muscles below the belly button

Lipo-abdominoplasty is explained by the following changes: 

• This procedure combines the benefits of an abdominoplasty with liposuction;

• It also addresses the fat or fullness of the upper abdomen with liposuction that standard tummy tuck surgery will not address

Extended abdominoplasty includes the following changes:

• It addresses both - the excess skin and fat above the belly button, which are often appear as result of massive weight loss; 

• Its scar orientation is both vertical and horizontal. [1]

When Is Tummy Tuck Operation Needed?

The ideal candidates for tummy tuck surgery are those, who have a combination of loose or excess skin on their abdomen and/or excess abdominal fat. So, in addition to removing excess fat from the abdomen, a tummy tuck also removes excess skin. Pregnancy or significant shifts in the patient’ weight can stretch out the skin that surrounds your stomach. Tummy tuck treatment can be used to restore the look of a flat and contoured midsection. Almost all the women, who have had children, have also gained a certain level of abdominal muscle laxity. And after several pregnancies, the procedure is useful for tightening female abdominal muscles and reducing skin. 

Ventral hernia can also be treated with tummy tuck surgery. It occurs, when the intestine or abdominal tissue breaks through the abdominal wall and forms a pocket or sack. There can be several potential causes, including abdominal weakness, which caused by massive weight loss or surgeries like C-sections or appendectomies.

However, this surgery can result in getting scars for some cases. And patients should discuss potential scar placements, and length with the doctor prior to final decision. 

Who Should Avoid a Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Talking about unlikely cases of considering tummy tuck, women with plans for the pregnancy should postpone abdominoplasty. During surgery - their vertical muscles of abdomen would be tightened, so any future pregnancies may separate those muscles.

The patients, who plan on significant weight loss, are better to avoid tummy tuck. It is not commonly advised on selecting such a surgery method - as an immediate alternative to weight loss.

Most of the aesthetic and/or healthy conditions to be corrected by abdominoplasty procedure, are suitable for those men and women, who possess a good health. Potential patients with any chronic, allergic or other complex conditions must avoid undergoing for tummy tuck. [2]

Advantages and Risks of Tummy Tuck Treatment

Due to its growing popularity - many people might believe that abdominoplasty is an easy procedure. But it's important for patients to realize that it is still a major operation, requiring one to five hours in the operating room, under anesthesia. 

In some cases, typical tummy tuck operation can remove up to ten pounds of stomach fat by disconnecting the skin from the underlying tissue, suturing abdominal tissue, and cutting away an extra skin. However, full recovery process might be taking up to several weeks. And – similar to any other surgery types - there are risks of infection and other complications after unprofessional abdominoplasty surgery. [3]

As one of the most positive effects of abdominoplasty - patients may notice a significant improvement of the posture. It occurs thanks to the tightened muscles supporting human spine. Moreover, both improved support and better posture can have the added benefit of relieving certain types of back pain. [4]

Truth be told, the various medical and cosmetic benefits of a tummy tuck operation make it appealing for many potential patients. And, nowadays, excellent surgeons in the most advanced cliniques, such as Medical Travel Czech, use the most innovative industry information for the best consulting and surgical techniques to cover all types of tummy tuck – from standard to extended ones.

Sources:

[1] American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Medical Benefits of a Tummy Tuck 

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/the-medical-benefits-of-a-tummy-tuck

[2] The WebMD: Healthy Beauty – Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty) 

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-tummy-tuck#1

[3] Life Science: Tummy Tucks May Be Riskier Than Other Plastic Surgeries 

https://www.livescience.com/52709-tummy-tucks-complications.html

[4] Boynton Plastic Surgery: Tummy Tuck 

https://www.boyntonplasticsurgery.com/tummy-tuck/