TUMMY TUCK
Abdominoplasty is an aesthetic procedure that aims to remove excess skin and fat tissue from the abdominal area and tighten the muscle tissue. This procedure achieves a flat, firm and proportionate abdominal appearance, improving the body contour.
Treatment Process
2 - 4 hours
1 - 2 days
2 - 3 weeks
6 - 8 weeks
What is the Abdominal Wall?
What is the Anatomical Structure of the Abdominal Wall?
The abdominal wall (inner abdomen) is formed by interconnected muscle groups extending in different directions and the membranes that cover these muscles. Like a cylinder, it is a durable and relatively flexible structure that encloses and protects the internal organs. The contraction and relaxation of these muscle groups also allow the body to bend, lift, and rotate in different directions. The anterior part of this cylindrical abdominal wall is formed by a pair of muscles extending side by side, starting just below the breasts and reaching the groin. The rectus abdominis muscles are the muscles used particularly in athletes to perform six-back crunches. The rectus muscles enable the forward movement of the trunk (crunches), and the weakest point of the entire abdominal wall is the thick membrane (linea alba) that runs lengthwise between the two recti.
Deformations Caused by Pregnancy in the Abdominal Wall
Abdominal Muscle Rupture
Intra-abdominal pressure increases significantly, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy. In women who gain excess weight or whose abdominal structure is not sufficiently robust, the abdominal wall expands. At the same time, the membrane holding the rectus muscles together ruptures, and the muscles move away from each other, creating tissue thinning/weakness. This condition is called “Rectus Diastasis.”
Especially after repeated pregnancies, the stomach displaces forward and expands between the rectus muscles. The increased stomach volume delays the feeling of fullness, and the stomach becomes more prominent after eating more food. This creates a vicious cycle that manifests as both abdominal sagging and obesity. Abdominal fat accumulation and sagging skin due to the expansion accompany the condition.
As a result, the expansion of the stomach, characterized by a bulge just above the belly button, and sagging skin below the belly button become a permanent problem.
Patient Reviews
What are the Problems Caused by Abdominal Sagging?
The most significant problem is uncontrollable weight gain and obesity. These patients are happier in the morning due to the emptying of stomach contents overnight. They feel good when they look in the mirror in the morning. However, with the first meal, the stomach moves forward, revealing abdominal sagging. They also tend to be unhappy in the afternoon and evening.
Abdominal sagging can make a person appear older and out of shape, while significant weight gain can reduce mobility.
Abdominal sagging can lead to a woman’s dissatisfaction with her own body, a loss of self-confidence, a lack of proper clothing, and withdrawal from social situations due to fear of attracting attention.
Abdominoplasty
A surgery that removes sagging abdominal skin and repairs the widened and separated abdominal muscles is called ‘abdominoplasty.’ If the patient is a smoker, they must quit smoking three weeks before the surgery. This surgery is not recommended for those who are insulin-using, have diabetes, severe lung problems such as asthma or COPD, have coronary heart disease, or have a history of embolism.
It is performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. The average surgery time is two hours. In this procedure, a longer incision is made, similar to a Caesarean section, to first access the deformed abdominal muscles. These muscles are sutured together lengthwise, repairing the separation. This procedure is called “Rectus Plication.” Rectus plication allows the patient to achieve a significant slimming of the body. Following this, excess skin that sags and creates laxity is removed, eliminating the problem. Abdominoplasty is often combined with liposuction of the abdomen and waist.
A one-day hospital stay is sufficient, and the patient can bathe within the first week and return to their normal activities. The corsets provided after the surgery are recommended to be worn for 4-6 weeks.
Mini Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck surgery can be performed in two types: mini and full. The degree of relaxation in the rectus muscles and the amount of skin sagging determine which type of surgery is performed.
In a full abdominoplasty, the belly button is dislocated, the separated muscles are brought closer together from top to bottom, and the underlying tissue is completely removed from the belly button.
In a mini abdominoplasty, the procedure is performed only on the area below the belly button; the belly button itself is not dislocated. This surgery is suitable for patients with no problems above the navel and those with fat accumulation, mild skin sagging, or muscle deformities below the belly button.
Before and After Tummy Tuck Surgery
The patient is asked to quit smoking at least two weeks before the surgery. The tummy tuck is performed under general anesthesia. It takes approximately two to three hours, depending on the extent and extent of the accompanying liposuction. The patient does not experience significant pain after the surgery and is mobilized early. The patient is hospitalized for one day to control bleeding. After discharge, the patient is asked to wear a special corset for 4-6 weeks.
The scar is hidden under underwear and, with proper scar management, should not cause any problems. The patient should avoid heavy lifting for 8 weeks. With proper planning, a 4-6 cup size reduction can be achieved permanently after a tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck Surgery Prices
Prices for these surgeries are based on the patient’s current condition and the procedures involved.
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