At some point in life, we desire to have a seemingly perfect body. A well-toned body, with the right amount of muscle and just the right amount of skin. Most times, however, we don’t achieve this, thanks to our lifestyles, work or other physical factors. Many ladies have wished to have a flat tummy, and men crave to have abs, but our tummy keeps getting in our way. We have often tried exercise, weight loss and fat reduction procedures, but we may find that the tummy remains resiliently present. The good news is that there is a solution to this. Avané clinic, Nairobi, offers the tummy tuck treatment, that helps eradicate our tummies.
A tummy tuck is a cosmetic and surgical procedure that is used to improve the shape and appearance of the abdomen. The tummy tuck treatment eliminates unnecessary fat and excess skin from a patient’s abdominal area. It is also used to flatten and tighten muscles around the abdomen. The tummy tuck procedure is also called abdominoplasty. It is helpful for people who have lost a significant amount of weight, and wish to flatten their body around the abdomen. Abdominoplasty also helps such people get rid of their excess abdominal skin. Moreover, it can be used for women after several pregnancies to get a normal abdominal look.
Who is a good candidate for abdominoplasty?
Both men and women of all ages can get abdominoplasty treatment. An ideal candidate should be in good overall health and of stable weight. One should have a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI). Moreover, the ideal candidate should best be a non-smoker. Abdominoplasty is best for women who have stretched abdominal muscles and skin after pregnancies, and need these muscles tightened. Additionally, it is beneficial for people who had a history of obesity and have lost significant weight. Such people usually have fat deposits ad loose skin, especially around the abdomen. Tummy tucks can help them get rid of these.
Who should not get abdominoplasty?
As effective and beneficial as a tummy tuck is, it is not recommended for everyone. Women who are still planning on having children are advised to postpone it till after they are done with childbearing. This is because the tummy tuck thins the vertical muscles and tightens them. Having pregnancies after this procedure can alter these muscles again. In addition, people planning to lose a significant amount of weight are also not advised to have an abdominoplasty. They should wait until their weight loss goal is achieved and seek abdominoplasty treatment later. Moreover, people who are afraid of scars should also be concerned about the procedure. This is because tummy tucks cause scaring of the abdomen. The length of the scar depends on the amount of extra skin. You should discuss these concerns with your doctor, and have them addressed.
Why is abdominoplasty done?
Abdominoplasty is done to correct defects that result from loss of excess fat, poor skin elasticity and weakened connective skin tissues around the abdomen. These may include significant weight loss, pregnancy, ageing or previous C-section operations. They can also occur due to this being your natural body type. A tummy tuck may also remove stretch marks and excess skin in the lower abdomen below the belly button. However, a tummy tuck won’t correct stretch marks outside of this area. If you’ve previously had a C-section, your plastic surgeon might be able to incorporate your existing C-section scar into your tummy tuck scar. A tummy tuck can also be done in combination with other body contouring cosmetic procedures, such as breast surgery. If you’ve had fat removed from your abdomen (liposuction), you may decide to have a tummy tuck because liposuction removes tissue just under the skin and fat but not any excess skin.
Preparing for a tummy tuck.
To prepare for a tummy tuck, you will need to have a consultation with our plastic surgeons at Avané clinic. During the consultation, the doctor evaluates your medical history. They ask you about your current and past conditions and the medication you have used or might be using. Furthermore, they enquire about any surgeries you have had. They also ask about any allergies to medication or any allergic reaction to certain conditions. The doctor may also ask about your weight loss programme and goals. this is when the tummy tuck is related to your weight loss.
In addition to this, the doctor examines your abdomen physically. He or she also takes pictures of the abdomen to use for record and evaluating the treatment after the surgery. This also helps them determine the treatment options to offer. Finally, the doctor discusses your goals and expectations from the treatment. He discusses the requirements, benefits, risks and in-depth details of this procedure. Our doctors have tons of knowledge and boast of years of experience in the medical field. They thus have lots to share with you. They will answer your queries well and concisely.
Knowing the precaution to take before the procedures is equally important. The doctor advises you on these measures and emphasizes their importance. Smokers should quit smoking for at least 2 weeks before and after the procedures. This is because smoking slows the healing process and may increase the risk of complications. Likewise, you should avoid some medications such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs. You should also maintain a stable weight, but if you’re overweight, the doctor advises you to lose some considerable weight.
Furthermore, the doctor advises you to have someone drive you home after the procedure. This is because driving after the operation is not recommended. You also need someone to take care of you for a night or two after the procedure. You shall need to stock up on some ice cubes, petroleum jelly, a hand-held shower head or a normal bath. Some loose and comfortable clothing is also helpful. These go a long way in making your preparation for the procedure effective. They also make the recovery period faster and easier.
The tummy tuck procedure.
The tummy tuck is done as an outpatient treatment. You will receive anaesthesia, which makes you unconscious and unable to feel pain. Some patients may be given pain-relieving medication and others may be moderately sedated. There are several types of tummy tuck procedures. These are:
Complete abdominoplasty- This is done for patients who need the most correction. The incision is made at the bikini line, at about the same level as your pubic hair. The length of the scar depends on the amount of extra skin. Your surgeon will then manipulate and shape the skin and muscle as needed. You will also have an incision around your navel (belly button) with this procedure. This is because it’s necessary to free your navel from surrounding tissue. Drainage tubes may or may not be placed under your skin. These will be removed in a few days as your surgeon sees fit.
Partial or mini-abdominoplasty- Mini-abdominoplasties are done with shorter incisions. They are often performed on people who have less excess skin. Your belly button most likely won’t be moved during this type of procedure. Your skin will be separated between the line of the incision and your belly button. This procedure generally takes one to two hours. As with the complete abdominoplasty, you may or may not have drainage tubes after surgery.
Circumferential abdominoplasty- This surgery includes the back area. When there is a lot of excess fat in the back as well as the abdomen, you may have either liposuction of the back or circumferential abdominoplasty. The latter procedure allows for the removal of both skin and fat from the hip and back areas, which improves the shape of your body from all sides.
After the surgery
After the tummy tuck, the incisions will be stitched and bandaged. The doctor might recommend that you wear an elastic bandage, compression garment or a corset after surgery. He or she also gives you instructions on how to take care of these garments and the bandage. Furthermore, the doctor attaches small tubes along the incision site to drain any excess blood or fluid. These prevent fluid or blood accumulation and clots along the incisions. They also help prevent infections on the incision sites. The medical team will also show you the best way to walk, sit, sleep and do certain activities while the bandages are still on. This helps to avoid offsetting the wounds and prevent pain.
The doctor also gives you pain relieving medication to use, should you feel pain. The drains are left in place for several days after the surgery. The medical team with also instruct you on how to handle the drains and take care of them. Additionally, you will be required to wear the corset or compression garment for about 6 weeks after the tummy tuck. This helps provide abdominal support while you heal. The doctor needs to see you as you heal, for check-ups and to evaluate the healing progress. Your doctor will provide you with a schedule for check-ups. This is necessary, especially in the first 6 weeks after the procedure. However, the doctor may decide to keep the check-ups longer should there be a need for that.
Risks
A tummy tuck can cause a seroma. This is a defect, where fluid accumulates beneath the skin. This can happen when there is a problem om the drain placed at the incisions. A tummy tuck can also cause poor wound healing, where the incisions heal poorly and may begin to separate. Additionally, it can cause tissue damage. Tissues that lie deep within the abdomen can be damaged or die. It can also cause changes in skin sensitivity and nerve damage. This can happen during the repositioning of the abdominal tissues. This can also cause numbness and reduced sensation. This is however temporary. It can last for a few days to a few months. We advise our clients to follow the guidelines issued by the doctors. Should you notice anything suspicious, do contact your doctor for help.
Takeaway note.
In conclusion, tummy tucks help get rid of excess fat and extra skin in the abdominal area. It can help one realize their goal of having a flat tummy. You might have tried exercise or other treatments for fat reduction, but might not have attained your goal. You don’t have to worry anymore. Visit Avané clinic at the Yaya Center in Nairobi and get your tummy tuck procedure today. You can easily fit into that dress you desire so much or rock that sweet 16 look without having your tummy get in the way. For men, you don’t need to have abs to have an amazing torso. Trust our doctors to give you the perfect look, through a tummy tuck procedure. Feel free to visit us or contact us to make enquiries, and book an appointment for your consultation and subsequent treatment.
