Tummy Tuck Surgery:

Abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, is another type of cosmetic procedure, and it is used to treat sagging, loose, and/or scarred abdominal skin. This scarred, loose or sagging abdominal skin most often causes the abdominal area to stick out or protrude.

After drastic weight loss or pregnancy, there is often a lot of excess and scarred skin that needs to be removed. This type of surgery should be performed on people who are in good health but who are unable to correct their loose, sagging and/or scarred skin problems through diet and exercise.

The length of tummy tuck surgery is 1 to 2 hours, in general.

Most patients can expect to stay in the hospital from 1 to 2 days following the abdominoplasty.

Most patients are able to travel home within 7 to 10 days after getting a tummy tuck. It is recommended that tummy tuck patients remain in the country this length of time to allow for post-op care.

Your surgeon is going to require several follow-up visits during the days immediately following surgery. Therefore, it is a good idea to find a hotel that is close to the hospital where the surgery will be perfomed because this will allow you easy access.

The staff at Medical Travel International can help you find a hotel that is close to the hospital so that you can go back and forth without any inconveniences.

Details of the Procedure:

Tummy tuck surgery begins with the administration of general anesthesia. A horizontal incision will then be made by your surgeon just above the pubic hairline, and your surgeon may also need to make an incision around the belly button so that excess skin can be removed from the upper part of the abdominal area.

The surgeon will proceed to cut away and remove any and all excess skin, fat and tissue, and loose abdominal muscles will be tightened with sutures. If an incision was made around the belly button, a new belly button will be created, and then the incision will be closed with sutures, staples, or tape.

After the Procedure:

You will be taken to the recovery area where your vital signs will be carefully monitored right after the procedure. Once you awaken and your vital signs show stability, you can go to your regular hospital room, or you might be released from the hospital.

You will be required to wear a support garment, or your abdomen will be tighly wrapped following your surgery. What this does is to help reduce the amount of swelling and bruising that takes place after the tummy tuck.

There are also going to be surgical drains in place in order to remove any excess fluid. Sutures, staples and/or drains will be removed 7 to 14 days after the procedure.

Adominoplasty Self-Care:

• You must avoid straightening the torso for 1 week
• You have to avoid showering until the surgical drains are removed
• You can resume light activity and movement within 24 to 48 hours
• You need to avoid heavy lifting and/or strenuous exercise for 8 weeks
• You must wear your compression garment for 2 weeks
• You can resume work between 2 to 4 weeks after the procedure

Results:

Patients who have undergone abdominoplasty or tummy tucks are generally satisfied with the results. The fact is that over 95% of patients report feeling satisfied with the results of their tummy tucks.

You can expect scars from the procedure to fade 6 to 12 months after having undergone abdominoplasty.

Risks and Complications:

Abdominoplasty, like any other surgery, has risks that are associated with it. The following list shows some of the most common risks and complications following tummy tuck surgery:

• Reaction to anesthesia or medication
• Bleeding
• Blood clot
• Pneumonia
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Infection of surgical wound
• Delayed healing
• Skin or fat necrosis
• Hematoma
• Seroma
• Pulmonary embolism
• Numbness of the abdomen or thighs
• Nerve damage
• Excessive scarring

Keep an eye on your tummy tuck, and contact your physician if any of the following occur:

• Incision is red, swollen or warm to the touch
• Stitches pull apart
• Drainage from surgical wound is yellow, green, thick or foul smelling
• Severe pain develops and does not subside with medication
• Fever above 100.5 degrees
• Chills
• Bandage is soaked with blood
• Breathing difficulty
• Chest pain
• Rash or signs of allergic reaction