A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery that can eliminate fat from the belly area and reshape the tummy to look contoured and toned. Also often referred to as ‘abdominoplasty’, this process involves the removal of excess fat and skin through surgery. This results in removal of the drooping pouch that one might have around the midsection. Depending upon the unique case, this surgery can be altered to fulfil the desires of the patient

The abdomen can become loose or saggy due to various reasons. In such cases, a person can undergo a tummy tuck to get rid of the excess skin and fat.

Here are some of the most common causes of having excess tummy fat:

Pregnancy: A woman’s body undergoes tremendous changes after pregnancy. Getting the pre-pregnancy body after having a child is quite difficult, especially around the abdominal area. The skin there is affected by stretch marks, loose skin and a protruding lower abdomen. 
Even after exercising and diet, getting back the laxity of the skin becomes difficult, specifically after multiple pregnancies. In this case, a tummy tuck can help to achieve the desired result.

Ageing: There are various changes that accompany age. Losing the firmness of the skin is one of the most common issues that naturally comes with age. This takes place even in case of the abdominal area as the skin starts sagging. 
In this case, this might affect the self-esteem of the person who might start feeling aged. Here, one can opt for a tummy tuck to get rid of the sagging skin and flabbiness and feel youthful again.

Drastic weight loss: In this case, if a person’s body has undergone huge changes in terms of weight, there are chances that the skin still sags and hangs down. In spite of dieting and exercising, this stubborn fat and excess skin refuse to budge. In such a situation too, the patient can opt for a tummy tuck in order to boost up their confidence even more by getting rid of the extra skin to get a toned tummy.

A tummy tuck is a customizable surgery that can vary according to the situation at hand. Generally, the surgery is performed under general anesthesia along with intravenous sedation. According to Dr Shree Harsh of Pinnacle Cosmetic Surgery, Lucknow a tummy tuck surgery can take anywhere from two to five hours depending upon the type of the procedure.

Here are some of the most common tummy tuck procedures:

Full tummy tuck: This is one of the most common procedures which traditionally involves making incisions from hip-bone to hip-bone. In this case, the excess skin and fatty tissues from the pubic region to the belly button are removed through the incisions made. 
In case of the removal of fat from the upper abdomen, extra incisions are made near the belly button. After this, the remaining skin and tissues from the upper abdomen are pulled down and reattached over the abdominal wall. This type of tummy tuck generally involves the removal and replacement of the belly button at a place which looks natural with the new abdominal contour. Generally, full tummy tucks are often combined with abdominal liposuctions to have better results aesthetically.

Mini tummy tucks: Also often referred to as partial abdominoplasty, this type of tummy tuck is preferred by patients who do not want a drastic change in their appearance. Excess skin and fat lying primarily below the belly button is generally removed through mini-tummy tucks. 
The incisions made are also quite small as compared to a full tummy tuck and lie below the belly button. This type of process generally does not involve the removal and replacement of the belly button. The recovery time required after a mini-tummy tuck is also comparatively quite less.

Extended tummy tuck: This type of tummy tuck is essentially done by people who have lost significant weight and wish to get rid of the excess skin and any fat that is present in the abdomen. This type of procedure generally has a longer incision as it covers the flanks along with upper and lower abdomen.

Circumferential tummy tuck: Also referred to as a 360°lift, this type of tummy tuck addresses the fat that is accumulated not only on the front side but also the back.

Although these are the common tummy tucks, most of the patients require a full tummy tuck. Mini-tummy tucks often work only when the amount of excess fat and skin is quite less. 

But in the case of full tummy tucks, the abdominal muscles are tightened for a smooth, toned abdomen. Thus, the full tummy tuck is a preferred procedure by most of the plastic surgeons.

Dr Shree Harsh of Pinnacle Cosmetic Surgery, Lucknow, lists the following criteria for an ideal tummy tuck surgery candidate:

1.     The candidate is physically healthy and without any other pertaining issues. 
2.     The candidate is suffering from psychological distress due to excessive skin or fat in the abdominal area.
3.     The candidate must be a non-smoker or must quit smoking for a brief period before the surgery, according to the doctor’s instructions. 
It is also necessary for the candidate to have practical expectations from the surgery. Often having unrealistic expectations from the surgery can lead to disappointment later. 

We would also like to highlight who is not an ideal candidate for the surgery. The first thing that needs to be kept in mind is that tummy tuck is not an option for weight loss. So, candidates who are planning to lose drastic weight after the surgery must reconsider undergoing this surgery.  The candidate must reach their ideal weight goal at-least six months before the surgery.

Also, pregnancy can hamper the changes that are brought about during tummy tuck surgery. So, it is advisable for women to undergo a tummy tuck only when they are sure that they will not be planning a child in the future. This will ensure that the results of the surgery stay unchanged.

1) It is necessary for a doctor to have the necessary qualifications to perform the surgery; as per the Indian Medical Association, the qualifications of the doctor should include an M.Ch in Plastic Surgery to perform a tummy tuck.
2) The team of doctors that administer anesthesia must be competent enough to avoid any risks or complications even in the toughest cases.
3) The experience of the doctor matters along with the reviews and experiences of the previous patients who have undergone the same process. Reviews and ratings can be found on Google or the doctor’s respective websites.
4) It is very important that you have a good rapport with your surgeon. One must be comfortable enough as well as trusting. This helps in carrying out the process without any hindrance or impediments.

These are some of the things to keep in mind while choosing the doctor for the procedure.

There are certain questions that a candidate must ask before the procedure. Dr Shree Harsh, a Board-certified Plastic Surgeon encourages candidates to ask any and all queries that they might have in their minds regarding the procedure as it is necessary to have clarity in the mind before you take any steps forward
1) Am I the right candidate for the procedure?
2) What is the process involved?
3) What will the outcome of the surgery be?
4) Are any ‘before-after’ pictures available for the said procedure?
5) What is the duration of the surgery and of the stay after that?
6) What are the risks or complications that might occur during the procedure?
7) What can be done to avoid these risks or complications?
8) Are the results of the surgery permanent?
9) What can be done to maintain the results of the same?

The preparation of the procedure is generally very simple. The doctor will advise you to run a few routine blood and urine tests. This will ensure that there are no pressing issues in the body.
You may also be asked to stop any medications that you have been taking according to the requirement. Avoiding the intake of nicotine in any way before the surgery is a must to omit any risks that might come up before, during or after the procedure.

The recovery of a tummy tuck is generally a long process. As it is an extensive surgery, the recovery process too is delicate and time-consuming. Here are a few steps that one must keep in mind regarding the recovery process:

1)    The surgeon might put a few drains under the skin in order to remove the extra fluid or blood. These tubes must be kept according to the requirement. The patient will be briefed regarding the maintenance and the cleaning of the area until the tubes are removed.
2)    Lifting heavy things or doing any vigorous exercises is restricted for at least two to three weeks as it might damage the sealed incisions. Although, moving around the house or limited walking is encouraged so as to avoid cases of blood-clotting.
3)    Although the time of recovery for a mini-tummy tuck is quite less, avoiding any strenuous activity during the recovery process is strictly prohibited.
4)    Patients can return to work after four to six weeks depending upon the type of work that they do. In case of a workload that requires heavy physical activity, the time required is more.
Overall, taking absolute care during the recovery process is a must in order to maintain the results of the recovery and have the best outcome.

Tummy tuck surgery is a very safe, trusted process that very rarely has any complications. However, even when utmost care is taken, complications are sometimes unavoidable. The risks that involve the surgery include:

1) Excessive bleeding (Hematoma)
2) Fluid accumulation (Seroma)
3) Swelling for a long time
4) Numbness around the abdominal area which might be temporary or permanent
5) Misaligned contour around the abdomen
6) Chances of infection
7) One must take complete and utmost care while performing tummy tuck surgery. Caution must be exercised to avoid these risks from turning into reality.

The cost of the procedure greatly varies depending upon the situation. It highly depends on the type of tummy tuck that has been chosen by the patient.

Hence, there is no confirmed figure of the amount. The cost is also dependent on the location of the clinic, the technology used and other miscellaneous expenses.

As tummy tuck is considered as cosmetic surgery, no insurance covers the cost of the procedure.

This surgery gets rid of all the flabbiness that one might have on the tummy. Thus, a tummy tuck is a trusted procedure that helps to achieve the smooth, flat belly that one can confidently flaunt and be proud of.

We hope this blog helped you in understanding tummy tuck surgery. In case you have any further queries Dr Shree Harsh will be happy to help you. Send in your doubts at pinnaclepswh@gmail.com