tummy tuck
in barcelona

Tummy tuck is an abdominal cosmetic surgery procedure that involves removing excess skin and fat from the upper and lower abdomen and toning the muscles of the abdominal wall. Tummy tuck is used to improve the appearance of a relaxed and/or protruding abdomen by removing excess skin, localized fat accumulation and laxity of the abdominal muscles.

For whom is this type of intervention indicated?

Abdominal surgery is particularly indicated for those who, despite being in good physical shape, have a significant accumulation of fat (belly) or excessive laxity of the abdominal wall that cannot be improved with diet or physical exercise. Therefore, tummy tuck is highly requested by men and by women who have had one or more pregnancies or by patients who, due to old age, drastic weight loss or previous surgery, present a relaxation of the abdominal muscles and a loss of skin elasticity that can no longer be regained.

Are there age limits to undergo a tummy tuck?

There is no age limit to undergo this surgical procedure, but it is preferable to postpone the operation in women who are planning future pregnancies, since the increased intra-abdominal pressure could separate again the muscles that have been repaired during the tummy tuck operation. Overweight patients should first undergo dieting and only then have a tummy tuck to avoid having to return to the plastic surgeon to remove excess skin resulting from future weight loss.

What other operations can be performed along with a tummy tuck?

Tummy tuck can be performed alone or in combination with other surgical techniques such as liposuction, thigh lift or other cosmetic surgery procedures.

Tummy tuck: What are the risks and complications of this type of surgery?

Tummy tuck is a relatively complex surgical procedure. When this type of intervention is performed by a specialist in plastic surgery, expert in body contouring and in licensed facilities, the results are very good, and the risks of a tummy tuck are lower. To reduce the risks of the tummy tuck and therefore the complications, it is however essential to carefully follow the advice and instructions that the surgeon will give you before and after the operation. Smokers should decrease the use of cigarettes because smoking can increase the risk of complications and cause delays in healing.

Tummy tuck, before and after: How is the preoperative visit performed?

Tummy tuck is a very personalized procedure that, as such, requires a precise specialized examination. At the first visit, the surgeon will evaluate the amount and location of fat deposits present in the abdomen, skin elasticity, possible excess skin, and tone of the abdominal wall muscles, and will illustrate the goals and aesthetic results that can be achieved. The surgeon will also evaluate your health conditions to exclude the presence of alterations (such as high blood pressure, coagulation, or scarring problems) that may affect the result of the operation. Before the operation you will receive specific instructions on pre- and post-operative nutrition, intake of medications, alcohol, and cigarettes. At the end of the visit the surgeon, in agreement with you, will choose the most appropriate surgical procedure for your case. If the muscular tone and the elasticity of the skin are good and you wish to eliminate a localized accumulation of fat in the abdominal region, it may be enough to proceed with liposuction of the abdomen or liposculpture. If the fat deposit and the excess of skin are limited to the area below the navel, a less complex surgical procedure called mini abdominoplasty can be performed. If, on the other hand, the fat deposit and the other imperfections described above are also located in the upper abdomen and hips, a full abdominoplasty, sometimes combined with liposuction, will be necessary. If, finally, the fat deposit and excess skin are located not only in the anterior abdomen and flanks, but also in the posterior dorsal region (often as a result of morbid obesity), then a circumferential abdominoplasty will be necessary.

How long does the procedure take?

The tummy tuck operation lasts between one and three hours, is not very painful and ends with a bandage that you will have to keep for about three weeks.

Postoperative

In the 48 hours following the tummy tuck operation, you must remain at rest with your legs bent and your back raised. From the third day, you can resume a normal life, but avoid strenuous activities, saunas, and Turkish baths. In the first two days swelling and bruising may appear around the treated region. After 7-10 days you will be able to resume your work activities if they are not too strenuous. Three weeks after surgery, you will gradually resume all normal activities, including sports.

What kind of result can be obtained with tummy tuck?

Tummy tuck, whether partial or complete, usually gives incredibly good results. If you have the foresight to follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly, the results obtained with this type of surgery will be virtually permanent.

Frequently asked questions from patients

Question: I am 44 years old. After three pregnancies and due to the considerable weight gain that followed, my belly is bulging and hanging out. I would like to have a tummy tuck, but I am afraid it will be painful and leave ugly scars.

Answer: Abdominoplasty is certainly indicated to solve your problem because abdominoplasty allows you to remove excess skin and fat from the upper and lower abdomen and tone the muscles of the abdominal wall. However, I advise you to undergo a visit to the specialist, as the plastic surgeon will be able to show you the type of treatment best suited to your case.

Generally, if the muscle tone and skin elasticity are good and you wish to eliminate the accumulation of fat located in the abdominal region, it may be enough to proceed with liposuction or liposculpture. If, on the other hand, the fat deposit and the excess of skin are limited to the area below the navel, a less complex surgical procedure called mini abdominoplasty can be performed. If, on the other hand, fat deposition and abdominal wall laxity also involve the upper abdomen and hips, a full abdominoplasty, sometimes combined with liposuction, will be necessary. Abdominoplasty is usually performed under general anesthesia with hospitalization in the clinic for two nights. In some cases (mini-abdominoplasty or small liposuction) the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia and in a day hospital.

In the 2-3 days immediately after the operation you will feel a slight pain, tension in the treated region and difficulty in bending the torso towards the legs. This discomfort will disappear after 7-10 days. As for the scars, I remind you that in abdominoplasty the incision is made above the pubic region and therefore remains hidden inside the underwear.

Question: How soon after pregnancy can tummy tuck or liposuction of the abdomen be performed?

Answer: The time that must elapse after childbirth before undergoing surgery depends on both the patient's health conditions and the type of surgery she intends to undergo. It is advisable to postpone the tummy tuck surgery in women who are planning future pregnancies, because the increased intra-abdominal pressure may again separate the muscles that have been repaired during the tummy tuck. In the case of liposuction, the surgery can also be performed after a few months.

Question: Is it possible to be exposed to the sun after a tummy tuck?

Answer: Yes, but it is not recommended to expose the scar to the sun for at least 12 months because it could pigment and become more visible.

Question: How soon after the tummy tuck surgery will I be able to start exercising and resume sports activities?

Answer: Generally, one month after surgery you can resume all normal activities, including sports, as long as they are not sports that directly involve the abdominal muscles.