It is a great feeling of accomplishment to lose dramatic weight, whether through diet and exercise or post-bariatric surgery. But, it is a fact that after losing a significant amount of weight you will experience sagging skin, especially, in the abdomen area. This sagging skin is restricted to respond through a gym or strenuous exercise as the skin permanently loses its elasticity and tone. Thus, tummy tuck surgery is performed to restore the abdomen profile with a slimmer and smoother tummy appearance.

It has been reported that the demand for tummy tuck surgery is very high in India, especially in Bangalore where it is all possible to achieve the best results of abdominoplasty surgery at a reasonable cost with the expert hand of the plastic surgeons. Patients from all over the world are interested to avail the benefits of medical tourism in India and get the desired tummy shape with the tummy tuck surgery in Bangalore. The Tummy tuck cost in Bangalore generally ranges from 80,000 upwards depending on the state of the problem area and expertise of the performing surgeon as well as the credibility of the hospital.

What is Tummy Tuck Surgery?

An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery is about contouring the body by eliminating the accumulated excess fat, skin with the repair of weak abdomen/stomach muscles. A tummy tuck surgery is useful in restoring the look of a flat and contoured midsection. It is very common to experience skin sagging after pregnancy or may be caused by a significant shift in weight, but with the help of tuck surgery or abdominoplasty, one can get the pre-pregnancy body shape and contour. However, it has great importance in cosmetic surgery that requires a lot of understanding and briefing before having the abdominoplasty or tummy tuck.

It is major surgery, so prospective patients are advised to do in-depth research and analysis while choosing the plastic surgeon or cosmetic clinic for the procedure. The tummy tuck makes the abdomen thinner and firmer. It is not a weight loss surgery. It is only a body contouring surgery.

The surgery involves the elimination of unwanted fat and skin from the middle and lower abdomen helps to tighten the muscle and fascia of the abdomen wall.

It is not liposuction, but one can choose to get liposuction along with a tummy tuck procedure for 360-degree contouring. In the case of women, these procedures are chosen after the lady has completed her family life. Men tend to choose this procedure after massive weight loss either after undergoing bariatric surgery or by diet or exercise.

FAST FACTS:

• Time required: 2-5 hours
• Anesthesia: General Anesthesia
• Pain level: Moderate (Pain for 4-5 days. Pain medication provided for relief)
• Hospital Stay: 1-2 days
• Fly back: 7-10 days (For foreign or outpatients)
• Success rate: Very high

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TUMMY TUCK SURGERY?

• Men & women can get a firmer and toned abdomen shape with abdominoplasty surgery.
• It’s a permanent removal of fat via liposuction as a part of tummy tuck surgery referred to as lipo-abdominoplasty.
• Tummy tuck surgery makes the abdomen thinner, firmer, and also improves the posture.
• It helps in improving overall health by removal of extra body fat. It’s a good way to improve a healthy lifestyle.
• The tummy tuck surgery tightens the abdominal weakened muscles that further helps in alleviating back pain, preventing future abdomen wall hernia.
• Abdominoplasty surgery has a significant role in reducing stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
• Tummy tuck surgery corrects ventral hernia.
• It helps in boosting self-confidence and also plays a key role in maintaining cleanliness & personal hygiene, for those having recurrent skin injections at the pubic area under the hanging skin on the abdomen.

AM I THE RIGHT CANDIDATE FOR TUMMY TUCK SURGERY?

• One should have persisting loose lower belly skin and fat, hernia, umbilical hernia
• You have excess fat deposits and loose skin around the belly
• You have multiple stretch marks due to pregnancy or weight loss
• You have had several pregnancies and want to tighten the abdominal muscles
• You are physically fit and done with family planning
• You have a stable weight but separated and weak abdominal muscles
• You have realistic expectations and mentally prepare for the surgery & recovery
• You have abdomen hanging loose skin post-bariatric surgeries
• Men and women with a good medical condition are good candidates for tummy tuck surgery.

PROCEDURE OVERVIEW:

Preoperative preparation:

A general physical examination will be done to check your BP, sugar, thyroid, or any other health associated concern. It is needed to control diabetes and hypertension or any other medical co-morbidity before the procedure for performing a safe surgery. One must have optimum health for achieving a safe and smooth recovery.

Anesthesia:

At Dr. Karishma Aesthetics an expert anesthesiologist will attend to you for a higher safety purpose. Tummy tuck surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia but Dr. Karishma Kagodu will suggest the best choice for you according to your problem state.

The Incision:

A low incision is made under the bikini line just above the suprapubic hairline extending sideways. The shape and length of the incision are determined by the amount of excess skin. After removing the excess abdominal skin and fat, the underlying weakened abdominal muscles are repaired. The incision is made over a pre-existing C-section scar if present and extended side wards within the bikini line.

Muscle tightening:

A second incision is made around the navel to remove excess skin in the upper abdomen and reposition the belly button. The excess skin trimmed and the remaining skin sutured together. A new opening of the belly button is created, and a new belly button is refashioned.

Closing the incision:

Sutures are made below the bikini line so that one could wear swimsuits easily. Skin suturing is done in layers so that it could be concealed effectively.

Liposuction:

Abdomen sculpting is done with liposuction by correcting minor asymmetry. This gives a 360-degree shaping.

Discharging:

It is required to be in the hospital for 1-2 days as it is generally performed under general anesthesia. Thus, you can go home the next day of the surgery as told by the surgeon. You will be provided with post-care instructions and pressure garments to wear.

Resuming work:

One can start walking the same day of the surgery. Office work can be started after 5-7 days, whereas driving should be avoided for at least 7-10 days. One can resume cardio activities after 2-3 weeks. The strenuous exercise can be started after 1-2 months.

THE RISKS INVOLVED: ARE YOU WORRIED?

Tummy tuck surgery is a highly individualized procedure and the decision of having the same is all decided by the expert surgeon’s advice. The plastic surgeon recommends the procedure only when the benefits achieved by the surgery would fulfill your desired goal. Therefore, it is always advisable to receive primary consultation first with the board-certified plastic surgeon so that you could understand the procedure more briefly.

Risks and uncertainties associated with the procedure are very common likewise other surgical procedures. But, a good plan, right evaluation, effective measure, and an expert surgeon will help you to achieve the best outcomes with very minimal side effects or uncertainties.

Some common risks involved with Tummy tuck surgery are as follows:

1. Bleeding: Very rare
2. Anesthesia risk: Small to major reaction or fluid imbalance can occur if the anesthesiologist is a novice. Our expert anesthesiologist will reduce the anesthesia risk or make it nil with the effective measures.
3. Infection: Infection can occur if the operation theatre is not well prepared. At DR. Karishma Aesthetics we follow all the standard protocols to perform safe and infection-free surgery.
4. Fluid accumulation (Seroma): At times a person’s body may secrete excess fluid in response to surgical/trauma insult, which is collected as small pockets of fluid, medically termed as Seroma. A small seroma gets absorbed on its own, but excess fluid needs to be drained off with a needle. The open drainage technique helps in reducing the risk of fluid accumulation. The body responds to any trauma/surgical insult by secreting inflammatory fluid which should be effectively drained.
5. Contour irregularities: Skin may look bumpy, wavy, or irregular due to uneven fat removal. However, it is all about the surgeon’s expertise how well he/she managed the procedure with utmost precision.
6. Scarring: Tummy tuck surgery leaves a permanent scar but the length and visibility of the scar vary from patient to patient. The scar can be camouflaged effectively because an incision is placed along the hidden bikini line.
7. Numbness: You’ll likely feel some numbness or reduced sensation in the operative area, which usually diminishes in the months after the abdominoplasty surgery.

NOTE: At DR. Karishma Aesthetics, you don’t need to bother about any kind of side effects or risks as we are committed to following all the standard safety and hygiene protocols to avoid the risk of side effects or discomfort. No life-threatening side effects are seen under experienced hands. DR. Karishma Kagodu and her team are highly committed to a safe and result-oriented tummy tuck surgery.

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?

Results are immediate with major differences in your tummy after the surgery. The final outcomes will take 6-8 months. Tummy tuck results are long-lasting if stable weight is maintained. Tummy tuck surgery gives you a more toned, contoured, and slimmer abdomen appearance.

The Timeline of Tummy Tuck Surgery results is as follows: –

1^st Week: Some swelling can be experienced. Open drainage will give you less swelling compared to the closed drainage technique.

1^st Month: A major difference can be seen as the maximum of the swelling has been diminished.

3-6^th Months: A complete outcome of tummy tuck surgery will be visible now.

8-12^th Months: Collagen synthesis and skin tightening take place.

TUMMY TUCK RECOVERY:

Tummy tuck surgery recovery usually depends on the extent of the procedure, the expertise of the surgeon, the technology used, as well as your physical status. Thus, it is important to follow the surgeon’s instructions, take prescribed medications, and visit the clinic as advised.

A patient coming from outside Bangalore is advised to reach one day before surgery and should stay for a minimum of one-week post-procedure.

Pain: Mild to moderate which improves within a few days.

Diet: There is no restriction on diet after surgery. But, you are advised to maintain a stable weight for a long-lasting result. A high-protein diet enhances a faster recovery.

Bruising: It lasts for 2-3 weeks.

Walking: One can start walking the same day of the surgery.

Resuming office work: Usually, after a week.

Driving: After 7-10 days

Cardio activities: After 2-3 weeks

Strenuous Exercise: After 2-3 months

Pressure garments: One has to wear a pressure garment for 4-8 weeks.