Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) is a major surgical procedure that tightens abdominal muscles and gets rid of excess skin and fat.

It is often performed under general anesthesia (you sleep through the procedure). It can also be performed using a local anesthetic with a sedative. There may be some discomfort with local anesthesia.

The procedure

Complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to five hours, depending on the extent of work required. Partial abdominoplasty may take an hour or two.

A Tummy Tuck usually begins with a long incision across the abdomen, from hip bone to hip bone, just above the pubic area. The shape of the incision is like a V, with a flat bottom. The flat part of the V occurs at the bottom point of the abdomen immediately above the pubic area. The sides of the V form angles along the pelvis up to the top of the hip bone. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. With partial abdominoplasty, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved, although it may be pulled into an unnatural shape as the skin is tightened and stitched.

Next, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and lifts a large skin flap to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen (rectus muscles). These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline.

The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched in place. Finally, the incisions will be stitched and reducing the waistline, dressings will be applied, and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site. After the muscles have been repositioned and tightened, the excess skin is stretched and removed. The remaining skin is redraped over the abdominal area and sutured in place. The hole created by the incision around the belly button is normally removed when the excess skin is cut away, and a new hole is formed to place the navel proportionally.

In partial abdominoplasty, the skin is separated only between the incision line and the navel. This skin flap is stretched down, the excess is removed, and the flap is stitched back into place.

After Tummy Tuck Surgery

Tummy Tuck is a major surgical procedure — you can expect a considerable recovery time compared with other plastic surgeries. Most people require one to three weeks before returning to work and a normal schedule. Some patients may not need an overnight hospital stay. But many patients spend one or two days in the hospital, depending on the extent of the procedure. Your abdomen will be swollen and sore for the first few days. Your surgeon can prescribe pain medication as needed.

It is a good idea to exercise after surgery, but only after enough healing time has passed so that you can exercise comfortably.

The abdominal scars will appear to worsen during the first three to six months, and may take nine months before they flatten and lighten in color. The scars never completely disappear, but they are located to be easily hidden by clothing.

Tummy Tuck Alternatives

The purpose of Tummy Tuck plastic surgery is to change your body shape, not to lose weight. If fat is localized in the abdomen, but there is no excessive skin, then liposuction is an alternative to Tummy tuck. Liposuction and Tummy Tuck are not usually done at the same time, because suction of the skin during liposuction may damage the skin that is being stretched and repositioned.

Abdominal etching also differs from abdominoplasty. In an abdominoplasty, the abdomen muscles can be tightened or removed, whereas abdominal etching only removes excess fat and skin.

Tummy Tuck Approximately cost 122,500 THB (3,500 US$) Based on 1 US$ = 35 THB