Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck Surgery)

Abdominoplasty is recommended under certain circumstances:

• If at the immediate loss of weight the skin does not shrink
• If during pregnancy the skin was overstretched and elastic skin fibres were destroyed, or abdominal muscles were overstretched and expanded in the middle, thus a hole appeared in the middle line 
• After gynaecological surgery, namely Caesarean section, the scar remained indrawn and/or painful 
• Due to excess skin, skin patches overlay each other, and this may cause chronic inflammations

Before surgery, overweight patients are is recommended to lose some weight.

Flash facts

• Duration of the surgery: approximately 2-4 hours.
• Anaesthesia: General anaesthesia. 
• Surgery: During the surgery the incision is made by considering the nature and volume of excess skin. Depending on the incision type, the doctor separates the skin and the underlying fatty tissue from the musculature, usually to the top until the rib arch. Then the skin is strained downward and shortened in such extent that it became tight. The umbilicus is cut and re-sutured in the previous height. If necessary, abdominal muscles are also tightened with sutures through the medium line. At the end of the surgery one or few suction drains put for blood and secretion of the wound to run down and a compression dressing is attached. 
• Post-operative period:
• After surgery patient stays in the surgery department for 2-3 days.
• Patients must wear compression belt for 4-6 weeks.
• Patients cannot take sports for 2 months.
• Patients come back to work 2 weeks later (if it is not physically demanding).
• Final result is seen after approximately 4 months.
• Efficiency: Post-operative effect is long-term.