Tummy tuck surgery is usually performed to solve problems such as loosening of the abdominal skin, stretch marks, sagging, and excess fat that occur after giving birth in women. It is also performed to get rid of the sagging, potbellied appearance in both men and women due to excessive weight gain and loss or inability to lose it. According to recent studies conducted in the United States, significant improvements have been seen in complaints of back pain and urinary incontinence after tummy tuck surgery. The reason for this is that the excess skin and fat removed from the abdomen with the tummy tuck procedure reduces the excessive load on the waist area and the abdominal muscle laxity is corrected with the tightening procedure and reduces complaints of urinary incontinence.

Abdominoplasty should definitely include liposuction of the entire abdominal area. A tummy tuck surgery without liposuction is an operation to pull down a thick layer of skin above the belly button and does not make patients happy enough. In a classic tummy tuck surgery, the entire abdominal tissue is stripped from the underlying tissues and separated down to the ribs. This lifting process cuts off the connection of the lifted tissue with the vessels coming from below. For this reason, post-operative wound healing problems and serum accumulation under the skin called seroma may occur. In lipoabdominoplasty, since the skin tissue is not removed from the peritoneum, these problems are much less common and the scar is shorter. In addition, the flattening of the waist curve seen after classic surgery is prevented by liposuction in this area and the waist curve is created. In the event of looseness in the abdominal muscle after birth or due to abdominal muscle weakness, a potbellied appearance may occur despite not having much fat in the abdomen. Looseness in the abdominal muscle causes the abdominal organs to expand outward. In tummy tuck surgery, this looseness in the muscles is eliminated by bringing the muscles closer together with stitches and a flat stomach is created. In addition, the fat removed in this surgery can be used in areas of the body where fat filling is required, such as the breasts, hips and face.

If patients who will undergo a tummy tuck are smokers, they must quit at least 2 weeks before the surgery. This period is also at least 2 weeks after the surgery.

During the surgery, usually 2 drains are placed and removed within 1 or 2 days. In the post-operative period, patients are required to lie down and rest on the first day. The bed position is adjusted so that the head and legs are up to reduce tension in the abdomen, and patients are generally asked to lie down like this for the first week. On the 2nd day, our patients are made to stand up under the supervision of a nurse and are asked to walk while bending over for the first week. After the surgery, an abdominal corset is wrapped and used for approximately 1 month. Our patients are discharged after a minimum of 2 days of hospitalization and can return to their normal lives at home within 1 week, but it takes a minimum of 2 weeks for them to start working, provided that they do not do heavy work. Heavy exercise is prohibited for the first 1.5 months and plenty of walking is recommended. After this period, exercises are started by gradually increasing. When discharged after the surgery, our patients are prescribed medications to be used for approximately 7 days.

Rules to Follow Before Surgery for Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

1. One week before surgery, all herbal supplements, products containing Vitamin E and aspirin or ibuprofen should be discontinued. Processed foods, especially carbohydrates such as bread, rice and cereals, which are known to increase inflammation in the body, should be avoided.

Your diet should basically consist of fresh and natural products, avoid packaged products. Minimize carbohydrates such as bread, rice, pasta, and fried potatoes throughout the day and use starchy vegetables as the dominant carbohydrate source instead. Many fresh fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C, which is critical for new collagen synthesis and wound healing, so consume enough of these. Eat oily fish such as salmon, sardines, and tuna (farmed fish should not be eaten because they contain high levels of antibiotics), and be sure to use olive oil. Avoid foods that cause gas, especially if you have them. Chickpeas, Lentils, Onions, Potatoes, Cabbage, and Artichokes are foods that cause a lot of gas.

Eating mostly liquid foods starting from 2 days before the surgery will help you get through the post-operative period more comfortably.

2. You must quit smoking at least 3 weeks before the surgery. If you do not quit, the surgery will be cancelled. Smoking increases your breathing, circulation and wound healing problems.
3. Be sure to take a shower the morning of the surgery or the day before.
4. Do not drink or eat anything after midnight the day before surgery.

If you eat or drink anything after midnight, the anesthesiologist will cancel your surgery.

5. If you have contact lenses, remove them when you come to the hospital.

Day of Surgery

1. Please be at the hospital 2 hours before the surgery start time.
2. After the surgery, you are not allowed to hold your child in your arms for 3 to 4 weeks and you should not lift heavy loads.
3. Leave all valuables, including jewelry, at home. To reduce the risk of infection, do not use makeup, lotions, or deodorant in the surgical area.