The abdomen can suffer lasting damage from pregnancy, extreme weight loss or repeated dieting, made worse by lack of exercise or a poor diet. The skin can be badly stretched or wrinkled, or very often there is excess fat or weakening of the abdominal muscles.
Procedure
Where there is only a layer of excess fat that needs removing, this can be solved by way of liposculpture.
Where there is a small amount of excess skin in the area underneath the navel, a mini tummy tuck is required.
Where both the skin and muscles are lax, they can be tightened up with a classical tummy tuck, a kind of abdominal lift. The stretched muscles are tightened by drawing and stitching them together.
Before a tummy tuck, we recommend that the patient lose at least 80% of his or her excess weight; thus the results of the surgery will be considerably improved.
Liposuction is generally performed at the start of the procedure, focusing in particular on the area above the navel where the fat has often accumulated and is difficult to remove. To tighten the skin and muscles, an incision is made just above the pubic region.
Where moderate tightening is required, the scar is short and situated under the bikini line. Where a higher degree of tightening is required, the scar is longer and the navel is repositioned to avoid it being too low.
Anaesthetic
Both the mini tummy tuck and classical tummy tuck are carried out under general anaesthetic.
Length of time
A mini tummy tuck takes between one and two hours.
A classical tummy tuck takes between two and three hours.
Your Stay
A mini tummy tuck does not require an overnight stay at the clinic. Thus, it is treated as a day-case.
A classical tummy tuck requires two nights stay at the hospital.
Post-op
After a mini tummy tuck and a classical tummy tuck, the patient may experience a fair bit of discomfort, especially with the classical tummy tuck. This is due to the contraction and tightening of the abdominal wall.
The patient must wear a support girdle for about four to eight weeks.
Bruising and swelling may occur around the abdominal area but they generally disappear after one month.
The scar remains pink for the first three months and becomes lighter and smoother after one year. Nevertheless, the scar never disappears completely.
It is strongly recommended that you avoid sunbathing in the three months following a tummy tuck.
Resuming Daily Activities
Following a mini tummy tuck, we recommend that patients resume their daily activities about ten days after.
Following the classical tummy tuck, it is advisable that patients resume their daily activities about three weeks later. Patients may start excising progressively about two months following a tummy tuck.
Results
The results of a tummy tuck are a flatter and more even stomach. Patients are always delighted with the results, as it provides them with a permanently improved abdominal shape.
They also find that it accentuates and emphasizes a more feminine waistline. Patients will be able to continue enjoying their new shape, providing one exercises regularly and eats healthily.
Costs
The price of a mini tummy tuck is £1,950.
The price of a classical tummy tuck ranges £2,350 and £2,775.
PATIENT STORIES
Many ELYZEA patients have already had
the procedure that you are considering.
