Details of a Tummy Tuck Procedure
Consultation
The majority of patients seeking tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) are healthy and physically active but nonetheless have excess skin on the lower abdomen. This is a particularly common problem for females after childbirth or for those who have lost a significant amount of weight. Tummy tuck surgery is best performed on people who have a healthy weight or are only modestly overweight. It is not recommended as a weight loss procedure in very overweight patients due to the increased risk of complications.
During your consultation, Dr. Andrade will ask about your specific abdominal concerns, including any past abdominal surgery. The physical examination is very important and will include examining your abdomen for overall skin quality and the amount of excess adipose tissue, location of pre-existing scars, hernias and loose abdominal muscles. Photos will be taken so the preoperative and postoperative appeance can be compared.
Surgical Options
Patients seeking abdominoplasty surgery can choose between a “mini tummy tuck” or a full tummy tuck. A mini tummy tuck involves removing loose skin from the lower part of the abdomen. The most common type of patient seeking this type of operation is a woman who has finished having children, and despite having returned to her normal body weight, still has loose lower abdominal skin. Advantages of a mini tummy tuck include quicker recovery time, a shorter scar and decreased cost. However, it is only recommended for patients who only want to improve the appearance of their lower abdomen.
A full tummy tuck is a more involved operation. The excess skin and adipose tissue on the upper and lower abdomen is removed, plus the underlying rectus muscles are plicated. Both of these steps help flatten the abdomen and improve its contour. Advantages of a full tummy tuck include the ability to improve the appearance of the entire abdomen. However, the operation and recovery time are longer than a mini tummy tuck. During your consultation, Dr. Andrade will provide advice which operation is appropriate, depending on your physical characteristics and desired result.
Day of Surgery
Abdominoplasty surgery is performed either at Dr. Andrade’s facility or at Southlake Regional Health Centre. Patients having mini tummy tuck surgery can often go home the same day. Patients with medical problems or those having full tummy tuck surgery are kept overnight in hospital for monitoring. The operation takes 2 – 3.5 hours depending on the amount of surgery required. It is performed under a general anesthetic.
Postoperative Recovery
Most patients are up walking within several hours after surgery, with the abdomen flexed slightly to take tension off the incision. The following day patients may perform their own activities of daily living. Wound drains are removed within 3-5 days after surgery. A stretchy compression garment called a “binder” is worn on the abdomen for 3 weeks, to decrease fluid accumulation and swelling. Heavy lifting or vigorous exercise involving the abdominal muscles for should be avoided for 4-6 weeks following surgery. A scar reduction program will be recommended by Dr. Andrade.
Benefits and Risks
The majority of patients are very satisfied with the appearance of their abdomen following tummy tuck surgery. While good results are usually achieved and complications are uncommon, it is important to understand the risks associated with surgery. Potential problems in the immediate postoperative period include but are not limited to bleeding and blood transfusion, fluid collections requiring drainage (seroma), infection, wound healing problems, and loss (necrosis) of the abdominal skin. Long-term problems include chronic pain or numbness, contour irregularities or prominent scars. Rarely, life-threatening complications can arise during or after any operation. Dr. Andrade will discuss your specific risks and answer all of your questions during the consultation.
Common Questions About Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Procedures
Is tummy tuck surgery covered under provincial insurance?
Tummy tuck surgery is not an OHIP-covered procedure. Removal of loose skin on the the body is not covered by provincial insurance regardless of the cause (for example, massive weight loss or previous surgery for obesity). Another abdominal procedure called “panniculectomy” may be an OHIP-insured procedure in certain patients who have a very large overhang of skin (called a “pannus”) on the lower abdomen that causes serious problems like recurrent infections requiring prescription antibiotics. Panniculectomy surgery is not the same as tummy tuck surgery. It does not involve tightening the abdominal muscles or improve the overall appearance of the abdomen – it simply involves removing the overhang of skin.
Can tummy tuck surgery be performed at the same time as medically required abdominal operations like hernia repair or hysterectomy?
Dr. Andrade will perform combined operations with other surgeons on selected patients. The advantages of performing a combined operation include shorter overall recovery time, and occasionally it is slightly less expensive to perform a cosmetic operation at the same time a medically necessary operation. Disadvantages include the added risk of performing two operations at the same time. Dr. Andrade and your other surgeon will discuss specific risks and benefits of a combined operation.
