Treatments / Tummy tuck (abdominal correction)
Tummy tuck / abdominal correction / mini-abdominoplasty
With the passing time or following a significant weight loss, skin can lose its elasticity. This leads to loose excess skin on the lower stomach (the stomach hangs) or the folds or the skin on the underneath of the stomach. Sport can reinforce the abdomen but can never make up for this surplus of distended skin.
A correction of the abdomen, an abdominoplasty or what we also commonly call an operation of the ‘ tummy tuck’ can help you to resolve this problem. This surgical operation leaves a scar in the fold above the groin and around the navel. This scar is acceptable because this operation allows you to lose one or more clothes sizes. You waistline is equally sculpted in a way that is very visible way thanks to this operation.
We favour on one hand liposculpture, in the case of the presence of of fat without excess skin. This will give you back a beautiful figure.
We favour on the one hand a mini-abdominoplasty or mini tummy tuck in the case of a small excess of skin. There will be a small scar above the pubis because the navel does not have to be moved.
It is important to point out that a correction of the stomach is not an alternative to weightloss. If you are obese, it is preferable to first envisage losing some weight with a weightloss treatment. Next, the correction of the stomach will be able to eliminate the excessive skin and retighten the stomach muscles.
What happens?
A correction for the stomach works in three distinct stages:
1. Loose and relaxed muscles are re-tightened. This allows the reduction of the waist size by about 10 cm. Result? A firmer stomach!
2. The surgeon removes the excess skin from the bottom of the stomach by cutting it. This represents about 9 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) lengthwise. The surgeon detaches the navel and replaces it adequately. 3. Next, the skin from the stomach is detached tightened again and sewn.
Finally, the surgeon carries out liposculpture on the stomach area and sides. Result? A brand new figure!
Scar
The incision is made in least visible place, this is to say a precise position in the natural fold just above the groin. Therefore the scar can be found at panty level, thus hidden. The wound is sutured under the skin and then next glued.
The first few months, the scar will be reddish and firmly hardened but this will lighten and soften in the year that follows your surgery. Your plastic surgeon will give you advice in order to accelerate the process. It is recommended that you care for your scar in the first weeks by using an oily cream (hand cream, day cream, almond oil, a balm for scars).
Anesthetic
Thanks to a refinement in operation technics and a constant progress in the anesthetic field these last few years, the correction of the stomach is carried out under a mild local anesthetic and sedation. After the operation, you will feel fit and well. It is often not necessary to evisage a nights stay at the clinic.
Care and safety
The plastic surgeon proceeds with these operations in conditions of optimal security, surrounded by a professional team.
Even though the tummy tuck is generally done under local anesthetics, you are constantly watched over under monitoring by the anesthetist (automatic and repetitive measure of the blood pressure, constant measuring of the oxygen saturation, electrocardiogram). One or more highly qualified nurses will equally supervise. These surroundings will guarantee that you have faultless safety.
The local anesthetic allows not only an operation without pain but also a minimal risk of bloodloss or appearance of bruises.
If you are taking coagulant drugs, please inform your doctor of this first (for ex., acetylsalicylic acid, asaflow, cardioaspirine, dipiridamole, plavix, sintrom, marevan e.a.).
After the operation, you are able to contact your surgeon at all times on his personal mobile number, so that you feel safe.
Recovery
You will stay a maximum of one night at the clinic. You will feel little pain after the operation, thanks to the effect of the local anesthetic. The muscle correction does not give place to any pain. You will receive classic pain killers, ibuprofen and paracetemol, to help you cope with any eventual pain. You will be able to walk again 24 hours following your operation. The surgeon will meet with you 48 hours after the operation for a check up and for the drain to be removed. You will be absent from work for about two weeks. During one month, you will be wearing an elasticated bandage around the abdomen.
Two months following the operation, the surgeon will assess the results, based on photos pre and post-op. He will recommend to you exercises that will allow you to keep your great abdominal result for the long term.
Risks and eventual complications
If you are in good health, do not worry this is a safe operation. It is possible that some liquid collects under the skin. A drain pipe and an elastic bandage will help you for the most part with this problem. Wearing this bandage around he abdomen will dermine the final result. The skin will adhere again to the muscles. The space literally between the skin and muscles will not be filled with lymphatic fluid.
Infections are rare. The skin of the lower stomach can lose sensitivity temporarily. Healing can be slower with people who smoke.
Contact
Surgery and consultations (after appointment)
A.Z. Jan Portaels
Gendarmeriestraat 65
B-1800 Vilvoorde
Belgium
T: +32 (0)2 257 59 74
A.Z. Lokeren
Lepelstraat 2
9160 Lokeren
Belgium
+32 (0)9 340 85 30
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