Abdominoplasty, also known as abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery that can change the appearance of your abdomen, smoothing and tightening the abdominal wall. Generally, this procedure is performed to improve body image.
Occasionally, the weakening of the abdominal wall with excess skin, common after pregnancy or significant weight loss, can cause recurrent skin irritations and infections or chronic back pain. These are all good reasons to seek an evaluation for tummy tuck surgery.
“While there is no blanket statement that applies to all tummy tuck patients, your plastic surgeon will discuss what to expect during the recovery period and the different factors that may affect recovery time,” says the bariatric and general surgeon. Dena Arumugam, MD
Which patients may benefit from abdominoplasty?
People may have less skin elasticity or weakened abdominal wall connective tissue for many reasons, including:
- Significant weight loss
- Pregnancy
- Previous abdominal surgery
- Hernias or rectal dissection
- Increased age
What to expect during a tummy tuck
The procedure is done under general anaesthetic, meaning you are completely asleep with a breathing tube placed in your airway. During the procedure, plastic surgeons:
- Make an incision in the lower abdomen from the bikini line to hide the scar
- Remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area for a smoother, slimmer appearance
- Stitches (stitches) weakened, separated abdominal muscles together, which makes the abdomen appear firmer
There are three types of abdominoplasty procedures:
- Partial abdominoplasty (mini abdominoplasty). This procedure focuses exclusively on the area below the navel. It is suitable for patients who have loose muscles only in the lower abdomen.
- Full abdominoplasty (total abdominoplasty). This procedure involves the entire abdominal area, above and below the navel. Patients who want to flatten their entire abdomen can choose this option.
- Regional abdominoplasty (extended abdominoplasty). This procedure changes the entire abdominal area plus the hips and/or back. Eliminates excess skin and fat from adjacent areas for a more proportionate appearance.
Your surgeon will have a discussion with you to decide which procedure will provide the best results based on your body composition.
What is recovery like after a tummy tuck?
After abdominoplasty, patients go home with bandages over their stitched incisions. There is usually no overnight hospital stay for this procedure. Small tubes that drain fluid from the surgery may be left in place temporarily.
Patients usually wear an abdominal binder for several weeks during the healing process. It supports the abdominal muscles and helps prevent fluid retention.
Factors affecting abdominoplasty healing time
Your recovery time may be affected by:
- Your age
- Your general health
- The type of tummy tuck you are getting
- How do you take care of yourself after surgery?
In general, patients who are younger, fitter, and healthier heal faster. When your doctor talks about your recovery time, he will consider these factors. Smoking should be avoided during surgery to improve overall healing.
Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure, which always requires recovery. Because partial abdominoplasty is less extensive than other procedures, its recovery should be the shortest.
Abdominoplasty Post-Surgical Care
How you take care of yourself after a tummy tuck also affects your healing time. Following your doctor’s orders should encourage healing while minimizing the risk of infection.
After abdominoplasty, you should learn how to take care of yourself at home. Your doctor should tell you how and when you will need to:
- Take prescribed medications
- Remove your bandages
- Take care of your incision
- Bathe before and after removing your bandages
- Continue normal activities
- See the doctor for a follow-up appointment
Part of taking care of yourself means taking it easy while your incisions heal. Your doctor may tell you:
- Ask for help at home. Ask someone to help you do daily tasks for the first few days after abdominoplasty. You may be in pain and may have limited mobility.
- Not driving. Take a break from driving for one to two weeks, if not longer. You will not be able to drive yourself home from the hospital or anywhere else.
- Calm down. Skip gym visits or other forms of exercise for several weeks. Training can hinder the recovery process.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects for several weeks. This includes small children, not just boxes or heavy grocery bags.
- Take time off from work. Stay home from work for up to a month unless you lift weights. If so, you may need to stay home longer or do a different job temporarily.
It may take several weeks for the incision swelling to go away and for you to see your new body contour. After a tummy tuck, most people can resume their normal activities in two to three months. Your schedule may vary slightly, based on the above factors.
Next steps and resources:
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your doctor for individual care.
