A tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) aims to remove sagging skin, scarred skin or stretch marks and to tighten healthy skin around the belly.
The most common indications
The skin of the belly has sagged or is damaged by scars or stretch marks. Excess fat in the belly or sides can be removed by combining this procedure with lipoaspiration.
Before the procedure
The preoperative assessment is carried out in accordance with medical protocol and our anaesthetist will see you at the latest 48 hours prior to your procedure.
DAY D – 30: It is strongly recommended to stop smoking, and in case of associated risk factors, you may be asked to stop any oral contraception.
DAY D – 10: Stop taking any medication containing aspirin.
Certain types of anaesthesia may require you to be fasting 6 hours prior to the procedure.
The procedure
Average duration: between 1 hour 30 and 3 hours.
The procedure consists of removing a section of skin between the navel and the pubis, and then redraping the healthy skin, usually located above the navel, downwards. The muscle wall is tightened if necessary. The navel is retained and brought back to its normal position through an incision in the skin pulled down. Usually, the scar is located just above the pubic hair and extends more or less far into the groin folds. At the end of the procedure, a shaping bandage is applied, to be combined with a compression garment.
After the procedure
The postoperative effects of an abdominoplasty are sometimes painful, especially if the muscle wall has been tightened or if lipoaspiration has been performed. During the first days, it is recommended to rest as much as possible on your back and to avoid any violent effort. The sutures are removed between the 10th and 14th day after the procedure and the compression garment must be worn day and night for 4 to 6 weeks.
The return to work depends on the type of professional activity, but can be considered from the 8th day for light work. Sports can be resumed around the 6th week.
The result
A term of one year is necessary to appreciate the result of an abdominoplasty, the time it takes for the scar to fade, even if it never completely disappears. In addition to the aesthetic improvement, a tummy tuck generally also provides significantly improved comfort.