Tummy Tuck Surgery

Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is a surgical intervention performed to remove excess fat from the middle and lower abdomen, correct sagging skin and strengthen the abdominal muscles. With this surgery, it is possible to get rid of abdominal fat and saggy skin.

Various methods are used in tummy tuck surgeries, these methods are: full tummy tuck, mini stretch, extended high side tummy tuck and drainless abdominoplasty.

This surgery can sometimes be applied together with surgeries such as breast surgery and liposuction, depending on the patient's needs. Therefore, potential patients should consult a specialist surgeon before the procedure and obtain information about all aspects before and after tummy tuck surgery.

Tummy tuck surgery cost in Turkey, generally vary between 15,000 TL and 25,000 TL. However, the prices of abdominoplasty vary according to the degree of sagging in the abdomen, the degree of excess fat, whether liposuction will be performed together, the age and medical condition of the patient. For this reason, in order to learn the prices of tummy tuck correctly, you should be examined by a specialist doctor and learn all the details about the subject.

What is Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck surgery is an application that is performed by various methods and eliminates complaints such as sagging and cracks caused by excess weight gain and loss. The pain of tummy tuck surgery, which is feared by many women, is one-tenth of that of a cesarean section and is not a procedure to be feared. The tummy tuck method to be applied is preferred by creating a planning for the needs of the person, and the excess in the skin and subcutaneous fat tissue and the cracks in the skin are eliminated.

Why is Tummy Tuck Performed?

Tummy tuck surgery, which is especially preferred by women after pregnancy, causes cracks under and above the belly button due to the weight gained after giving birth, and the body is deformed. However, during birth, it causes relaxation of the anterior abdominal wall muscles and accordingly a common protrusion disorder called diastasis. Abdominal stretching method is also frequently preferred in patients who are extremely obese and lose weight after pregnancy. Therefore, we see that many male patients also have abdominoplasty today. In men and women who have not given birth, it is possible to obtain a smoother abdomen by removing the fat from the waist, back, under the belly and above the belly when it is done together with liposuction.

How is Tummy Tuck Surgery Performed?

The operation time is usually between 2-4 hours and general anesthesia is used. After the operation, the patient usually stays in the hospital for 1-2 days and continues the recovery process at home for 2-4 weeks. Tummy tuck surgery is a serious surgical intervention and the recovery process of patients is long and arduous. Post-surgery, patients usually undergo a long rehabilitation process and must adhere to diet and exercise programs.

Who Can Have a Tummy Tuck?

Having persistent fat accumulation in the abdomen that cannot be removed by diet and exercise; it is also a suitable method for people with cracks or sagging in the abdomen. In addition, tummy tuck is a method preferred by male and female adult individuals with weakened abdominal muscles.

When determining whether it is suitable for a tummy tuck, factors such as the person’s health status, previous surgical history or medications are evaluated.

Among some general criteria:

• The person’s health status is suitable for surgery,
• Having sufficient amount of adipose tissue to fulfill the purpose of the tummy tuck surgery,
• Promise that the person will exercise regularly and include a healthy diet after surgery
• The person has realistic expectations from tummy tuck surgery.

Among these criteria, the most important is that the person’s health status is appropriate.

What are the Tummy Tuck Surgery Methods?

Abdominoplasty surgery methods consist of several different options, called surgical procedures, and among these methods, the commonly used ones are:

1. Liposuction: This process, which is the breakdown of fat cells by water jet, is usually used to reduce excess fat tissue in the abdomen, waist, back or leg areas.
2. Full tummy tuck: It is the process of removing excess fat tissue in the abdomen of the person, usually through a large incision.
3. Mini tummy tuck; It is usually performed by making smaller incisions and pulling the fat tissue in the lower abdomen of the person.

In addition to these, Extended / High Side Abdominoplasty and Drainless Abdominoplasty are also performed, and the tummy tuck method to be applied is determined according to the physical structure and needs of the person.

Full Tummy Tuck

Full tummy tuck is applied to patients who have excess skin both in the upper part of the abdomen and in the lower part of the navel, and in patients with a forward protrusion in the side profile. With a full tummy tuck, all the tissues under the belly button are removed and a new belly button is placed. Then, a new waist line is created and the section from the bottom of the rib to the groin is shaped with a full tummy tuck surgery.

In full tummy tuck surgery, a wide incision is made and the fat tissue in the patient’s abdomen is removed. While performing this procedure, liposuction is also used during tummy tuck without damaging the existing regular tissues of the person. In addition, during the tummy tuck surgery, the incision marks are adjusted in the bikini area and belly button so that they are not visible from the outside.

After a full tummy tuck surgery, the person can usually return home within a few days, and can start working after 2 to 4 weeks; however, it takes approximately one year for full recovery. The patient usually takes painkillers and uses a corset in the abdomen, followed by the doctor during the healing process, and additional treatments can be applied if necessary.

Mini Tummy Tuck

Mini tummy tuck surgery is a procedure that can be applied especially in cases where the patient’s complaint is prominent below the navel, and in cases where the size of the sagging is not too large. A smaller, shorter, cesarean-like scar is left compared to normal tummy tuck surgery. Tightening can be applied to the muscles under the navel, however, the stretching effect may be slightly more limited than the effect of a total tummy tuck surgery. At this point, the patient should be well evaluated and informed about the result before the tummy tuck. During the same surgery, if there are not too many cracks around the belly, if there is not too much sagging, but there is fat, additional procedures such as liposuction can be applied in addition to the waist part or the upper part of the belly.

Mini tummy tuck is performed using endoscopic techniques used to reduce gastric capacity. These techniques include reducing the stomach part or placing a band (band) on the stomach.

Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery (Mini Abdominoplasty) is a milder variation of the classical tummy tuck and this surgery is only suitable for patients who have fat accumulation in the lower abdomen or who have relaxed abdominal muscles.

Mini tummy tuck surgery is a procedure that is generally less damaging and takes less time, and also requires less post-operative pain, bruising and swelling. However, since mini tummy tuck surgery may be less effective than classical tummy tuck surgery, classical tummy tuck surgery may be more appropriate for patients with more fat accumulation or who need more tummy tuck surgery.

Extended / High Side Tummy Tuck Surgery

Extended / High Lateral Tummy Tuck (Extended / High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty) is different from the classical tummy tuck surgery, it performs a wider area of stretching. While classical tummy tuck surgery only targets the lower abdomen, extended/high tummy tuck surgery also includes the lateral parts of the abdomen. First, in the Extended / High Side Tummy Tuck procedure, the doctor cuts or pulls the skin and adipose tissue, then the abdominal muscles are stretched or joined, finally the skin is stretched or pulled closed.

Extended / High Side Tummy Tuck is performed by pulling up the excess skin in the buttocks and waist area, thus making the body contours smooth. In high lateral tummy tuck surgery, the length of the procedure area may be longer than other methods.

Undrained Tummy Tuck Surgery

In classical tummy tuck surgery, post-operative drainage tubes are used to prevent fluid or blood flow in the treated area, while these tubes are not used in non-drain tummy tuck surgery.

Drainless tummy tuck surgery is usually performed using mini or microsurgical techniques, and this technique accelerates the healing process. Drainless tummy tuck surgery is generally suitable for patients who want to perform a stretching in the lower abdomen.

Drainless tummy tuck surgery reduces the risk of fluid accumulation or infection, provides a comfortable and quick recovery after surgery, but generally gives less effective results.

Drainless tummy tuck surgery is only suitable for patients with a small amount of fat accumulation in the abdomen or those with relaxed abdominal muscles.

Drainless tummy tuck surgery also has potential risks and may not be suitable for every patient, so all questions should be answered by talking to the doctor in detail before surgery.

What are the Prices of Tummy Tuck Surgery in Turkey?

The prices of tummy tuck surgery in Turkey vary according to factors such as the size of the surgery, the procedures to be performed and the experience of the doctor who will perform the surgery. Generally, prices range from £15,000 to £25,000; however, it can be seen that these rates are higher or lower. For example, tummy tuck surgery to be performed in a private hospital is more expensive than an operation to be performed in a public hospital.

Factors such as choosing a hospital and performing mini or full tummy tuck can also affect the prices of tummy tuck. For example, the tummy tuck cost of an overweight and very saggy patient will not be the same as that of a thin patient. Likewise, a more experienced doctor may be more expensive than a less experienced doctor, so the best way to find out about surgery prices is to contact several different doctors or hospitals and compare their quotes.

Before Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty)

Before Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty), the patient usually undergoes physical tests such as laboratory tests or radiographs. In addition, the doctor discusses what awaits the patient before and after the surgery, the potential risks and complications of the surgery. Before the surgery, it is recommended that the patient not smoke, not use or reduce some medications.

Before tummy tuck surgery, the patient should not diet too much and sunbathe excessively; because they negatively affect postoperative wound healing. In addition to these, smoking and alcohol use should be stopped at least 4 weeks before, as they will negatively affect wound healing. Vitamin E or some herbal teas and blood thinners should definitely be stopped 10 days before the surgery. The patient should follow a liquid diet 2 days before the tummy tuck surgery, so it is very important for the surgeon who performs the surgery in the repair of the abdominal muscles in the tummy tuck surgery.

After Tummy Tuck Surgery (Abdominoplasty)

Tension and pain in the abdomen is expected after abdominoplasty, but these pains are relieved with painkillers given after the surgery. Since the first week after the surgery is very important, it is necessary to go to the clinic to check whether there is any fluid accumulation in the tummy tuck area. The first dressing is done on the 4th or 5th day after abdominoplasty, the wound is opened completely and it is checked whether there is any problem. Generally, on the 5th day after tummy tuck, drains (tube-shaped instruments with small reservoirs on the outside) are taken, dressing is done, and the corset, which the patient should wear for 2 months after the operation, is put on. The purpose of this corset is to heal the wound more easily and to ensure that the removed skin and subcutaneous tissue adhere to the body and the anterior abdominal wall muscles more easily after abdominoplasty.

Apart from these, especially in the first 5 days, a slightly inclined walk is recommended in order not to stretch that area and not to pull the belly button too much, since a taut seam is formed in the middle region. It is undesirable for the patient to lie in bed continuously after tummy tuck, and 6 hours after the surgery, the patient is standing up and walking. Again, after 6 hours, light liquid foods are started to be given.

After tummy tuck, the patient needs to stay in the hospital for 2 days and it is recommended to rest at home for 1 week to 10 days. The surgical area is covered with dressings and the excess fluids accumulating under the abdomen are taken out with 2-3 drains in this area. The patient is discharged after being asked to use antibiotics and painkillers for approximately one week.

The important thing within 7 to 10 days after tummy tuck is that the person does not sleep at home all the time, travels around and uses his/her medications regularly. In about 1 week to 10 days, the person can return to his/her normal life; However, after tummy tuck, the person should avoid heavy and tiring work and doing sports for about two months.

In addition, while it is not recommended to do sports for the first 3 months, it is not recommended to be pregnant for the first year. A corset should be used for 4-6 months, it is recommended to lie in a high (V-shaped) position with legs and back while lying down. You can start to lie on your side 10-15 days after the operation, and it is recommended to sleep with the legs pulled to the abdomen. Approximately 3 months after the tummy tuck surgery, muscle relaxation movements are recommended in order not to lose the muscle tone (the tension necessary for contraction), which is called isometric exercise. After 6 months, the abdominal muscles need to be exercised, and when not exercised, the tension obtained after abdominal stretching begins to deteriorate.

What Are the Risks, Complications and Side Effects?

As in any surgery, some risks, complications and side effects can be seen after tummy tuck surgery. Among these side effects, the development of infection at the wound site, collection of blood and serum, loss of skin and tissue in this area, poor wound healing and clot flow can be observed. In addition to these, there may be asymmetry and scar defects among the risks to be seen after tummy tuck; however, these risks are seen to be extremely low. In addition, if risks, complications or side effects develop after tummy tuck, the patient is healed by taking appropriate precautions and developing treatments.

The most important way to reduce these risks is to evaluate the patient well before the operation and to prepare for the operation correctly. For example; If the patient is a smoker, he/she should quit smoking 4 weeks before the tummy tuck surgery, and if he/she is an overweight patient, a suitable diet should be prepared and he should lose weight. Again, as an additional precaution, if the patient uses blood thinners or aspirin before tummy tuck, they should also be discontinued ten days before the surgery. In individuals with some chronic diseases, appropriate treatment methods should be found, developed and implemented. Considering all these, the risks, complications and side effects that may develop after tummy tuck surgery appear to be extremely low and do not pose a problem for the patient.