Your surgeon will always discuss with you and recommend the treatment that is appropriate for you. During the consultation, the surgeon will also explain the treatment, its results and benefits, the duration of the result and the frequency of repeating the treatment.

TUMMY TUCK (Abdominoplasty)

Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a “tummy tuck” is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. There are two main types of tummy tuck procedures. A major tummy tuck procedure involves both the removal of excess fat and skin, as well as the tightening of the muscles of the abdominal wall. A mini tummy tuck removes just the excess fat and skin leaving a neat c-section type scar. If you are considering abdominoplasty, this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure, when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results to expect. It will not answer all your questions since a lot will depend upon the individual patient, but please do not hesitate to speak to either Dr Roberto Viel or Dr Maurizio Viel about any questions you may have.

The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men and women who are in relatively good shape but who are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin which won’t reduce with diet and exercise. The surgery is particularly helpful for women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched abdominal muscles and skin. Loss of skin elasticity, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved.

Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight should postpone surgery until they have reached their desired weight. Also, women who plan future pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles in the abdomen, which are tightened during surgery can separate again during pregnancy. If you have scarring from previous abdominal surgery, you may be recommended against abdominoplasty or cautioned that your scars could become unusually prominent.

Abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause people to treat you differently. Before you have surgery, it is important to think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with the surgeon.

WHERE THE SURGERY WILL BE PERFORMED

Mini abdominoplasty is performed in our Dubai Healthcare City clinic. A full abdominoplasty is performed in the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital, Dubai Healthcare City.

TYPE OF ANAESTHESIA

Mini Abdominoplasty procedure is carried out under intravenous sedation so there will be no pain and you will sleep through the operation. Full Abdominoplasty procedure is carried out under general anaesthesia and would require an overnight stay in the hospital.

THE SURGERY

Mini Abdominoplasty procedure usually takes two to two and a half hours Full Abdominoplasty procedure usually takes three to three and a half hours.

PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY

You will be given specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medicines.

If you smoke, plan to quit at least two weeks prior to the surgery and not resume smoking for at least two weeks after your surgery. Avoid overexposure to the sun before the surgery, especially on the abdomen, and do not go on an astringent diet, as both can inhibit your ability to heal. If you develop a cold or infection of any kind, it is important to inform the surgeon, as your surgery may need to be postponed.

You will need to arrange for someone to collect you after your surgery, as you will be unable to drive. It is also advisable to have someone to stay with you for a few days to help you out if needed.

BEFORE YOUR SURGERY

In your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health, determine the extent of fat deposits in your abdominal region, and carefully assess your skin tone. Be sure to tell your surgeon if you smoke and if you are taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs. Be frank when discussing your expectations with the surgeon, and they will explain the risks and the limitations, together with the alternative surgeries, which may be more suitable.

If, for example, your fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex procedure called a partial abdominoplasty, also known as a mini tummy tuck, which may be performed here at the clinic as an outpatient. You may, on the other hand, benefit more from partial or complete abdominoplasty, performed in conjunction with liposuction to remove fat deposits from the hips, for a better body contour. It may be that liposuction alone will create the desired results.

Your surgeon will always discuss with you and recommend the procedure which is appropriate for you. During the consultation, the surgeon will also explain the anaesthesia that will be used, the hospital or clinic in which the procedure will take place, as well as the costs involved.

You will be given specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medicines.

If you smoke, plan to quit at least two weeks prior to the surgery and not resume smoking for at least two weeks after your surgery. Avoid overexposure to the sun before the surgery, especially on the abdomen, and do not go on a stringent diet, as both can inhibit your ability to heal. If you develop a cold or infection of any kind, it is important to inform the surgeon as your surgery may need to be postponed.

You will need to arrange for someone to collect you after your surgery, as you will be unable to drive. It is also advisable to have someone to stay with you for a few days to help you out if needed.

THE PROCEDURE

Generally, abdominoplasty procedures are performed at the London Centre for Aesthetic Surgery. You may or may not stay in hospital overnight.

The procedure is usually carried out under sedation but in some cases, the surgery will be performed under general anaesthesia, so there will be no pain during the surgery and you’ll sleep through the operation. Complete abdominoplasty usually takes between two to five hours depending upon the extent of the work required. Partial abdominoplasty may take an hour or two. Most commonly, the surgeon will make an incision from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubis area. A second incision is made to free the navel from the surrounding tissue. With partial abdominoplasty, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved, although it may be pulled into an unnatural shape as the skin is tightened and stitched. Next, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and lifts the large flap to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitched into their new position. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the waistline. The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched into place. Finally, the incision will be stitched, dressing applied and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.

In the partial abdominoplasty, the skin is separated only between the incision line and the navel. The skin flap is stretched down, excess skin is removed, and the flap is stitched back into place.