What is tummy tuck surgery and for whom it is performed?
The abdominoplasty is one of the abdominal aesthetic surgeries. The excess tissues in the abdomen and waist area are removed and the loosened abdominal muscles are tightened. The patients having the abdominal adipose and excess skin, as well as loose abdominal muscles, are the candidates for the abdominoplasty.
Is it necessary to lose weight before tummy tuck surgery?
The abdominoplasty is a body shaping surgery, not a weight loss surgery. Although 2-5 kg of tissue is lost when the excess tissues are removed, it is not quite right to present this to the patients as “we will save you from your weight”. Since the intra-abdominal adipose is also high in the obese patients, it is not possible to fully recover the loosened abdominal muscles without losing weight. In addition, in the obese patients, the risks associated with the anesthesia increase, mobilization is delayed, and wound healing problems are encountered more frequently. Therefore, in this patient group, they are asked to lose weight before the operation. In the immobile patients who cannot lose weight, only excess tissue can be removed to reduce their loads.
How is the tummy tuck surgery done?
Before the tummy tuck surgery, the liposuction is performed on the entire abdomen and waist area in the patients who are needed. All skin and subcutaneous tissues are lifted up to the ribs by making a horizontal incision from the lower part of the abdomen to remain inside the underwear. During this procedure, the belly button is separated from this removed tissue. The loose abdominal muscles are tightened with the stitches. The excess skin and subcutaneous tissues under the navel are cut off and the remaining tissues are stretched and adapted to the incision line. In the meantime, the new location of the belly button is calculated, the hole is angled and the stitches are thrown by taking it out again from this hole.
What should be done and what should not be done before the operation?
As it is in all surgeries, the smoking should be stopped 3 weeks in advance. The smoking is one of the most important factors that increase the wound healing problems. Aspirin and blood thinners should be stopped at least 1 week before. The constipation should be avoided by feeding with soft foods by starting 3 days before the planned date of the surgery. In addition, the oral enemas (Fleet phospho soda) are taken 2 times the night before the surgery and the bowel cleansing will provide great comfort in the early postoperative period.
Those being inconvenient to use before surgery:
-The painkillers such as Apranax, Voltaren, Vermidon (Minoset, Novalgin can be used when pain relief is required),
-The multivitamin pills containing substances such as ginseng, gingko biloba, co-enzyme Q,
-Green tea, flaxseed, cherry stalk, tomato seed herbal products
-All weight loss products
How long do the tummy tuck surgeries take and do they require anesthesia?
The procedure is performed in the operating room and under the general anesthesia. It takes 2-3 hours, depending on the size of the abdomen.

Is pain felt after the tummy tuck surgery?
Since long-acting local anesthetics are applied to all incision areas and abdominal muscles, the first day is not very painful. In the following days, the feeling of tension in the abdomen and the inability to stand upright are more disturbing than pain.
What happens after the surgery?
During the surgery, a catheter is attached to the patient and drains are placed in the surgery area. When the surgery is over, a corset is attached to the abdomen that the patient will use for 3 weeks. The patient can eat and drink in the 3rd hour after the surgery. When she feels well, she is asked to walk the same night. In the first week, due to the tension in the abdomen, she is asked to walk with her waist and neck bent. The patient is discharged after the catheter is removed the day after the surgery. The drains are kept until the fluid coming from inside decreases and the patient can be sent home with a drain. After 2 days, the dressing is opened and she is asked to take a bath and then come for the control. There is no need for the suture removal as the absorbable sutures are placed. After 3 weeks, she can start exercises except for the abdominal movements. No restrictions apply after the 6th week.
What are the Complications of the Surgery?
The pulmonary embolism is the most feared complication. This risk is higher in the obese, elderly, diabetic and smoking patients. For this reason, the patient is expected to walk on the evening of the surgery. The wound healing problems, bleeding, and tissue loss are among the complications that can be encountered. Although the fluid accumulation under the skin can occur after the first week, it is a problem that can be easily eliminated with the help of an injector.
Are the results permanent?
The results of the surgery are permanent and if the diet is not taken care of after the surgery and excessive weight is gained and pregnancy occurs again, the results can deteriorate.
Does abdominoplasty constitute an impediment for the pregnancy?
The abdominoplasty surgery does not constitute an impediment for getting pregnant again. However, since the pregnancy will cause deterioration in the results of the surgery, if there is a planned pregnancy, it is recommended to leave the surgery until after the pregnancy.