Tummy Tuck
 

There is nothing more attractive than a flat, firm tummy and a well sculpted waist line. Men and women all over the world seek achieving that no matter what culture they belong to. Time, gravity, weight gain, weight loss, and pregnancies all take their toll on the tummy. The excess sagging tissues can extend from the front, to the sides, and in some cases even to the back. Once overstretched by pregnancies,excessive weight gain, or loss, the abdomen often failsto return to its original shape.The loose skin with its underlying fat and week muscles fail to respond to exercise or diet. At this point Liposuction can't help since it only removes the fat beneath the skin, it doesn't remove the excess skin or tighten the week muscles. In this case, a tummy tuck is the only procedure that can give you a fat free tummy with firm skin and tight muscles.


What is a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy Tuck or "Abdominoplasty" is a surgical procedure where excess skin and fat is removed from the tummy and the abdomen muscles are tightened. When needed, liposuction of the upper abdomen is performed to rid your upper abdomen of fat in this area. The tummy tuck creates a dramatic change in the middle and lower parts of the abdomen as well as sculpting your waist line. Some cases have minor problems only with the lower abdomen in these cases a Mini Tummy Tuck is performed.

Are You a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
 

You would be a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you have loose skin hanging from the front of your abdomen or you have a big tummy that is hiding the curves of your body and waist line. Sometimes after significant weight loss, weight gain, pregnancy or even due to some genetic factors, the abdomen has redundant skin and the muscles become loose. Many people try to rid themselves of the excess skin and tighten their muscles with sports, diet or even liposuction, while liposuction will remove the fat under the skin, it can’t remove the excess skin or tighten the loose muscles. And unfortunately when the skin reaches a certain level or age, sports and exercise can’t fix it either. The tummy tuck corrects these problems. It also sculpts your abdomen and waist line giving you the maximum possible lines and curves for your body. The tummy tuck can be performed starting age 21.

 


Preparing for Your Surgery

Before your surgery, Dr. Metwally will perform a complete evaluation with you to discuss your goals and determine the best procedure for you, whether you need a tummy tuck, a mini tummy tuck and whether or not you need some liposuction with it. Dr. Metwally will explain to you your procedure in great detail and answer all your questions. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from our center the day of the surgery. You should wear loose fitting clothes and bear in mind that your outfit may get soiled. Do not wear jewelry, contact lenses, or bring valuables to the operating room. Remove all body jewelry from pierced body parts.

Duration of the Surgery

It takes Dr. Metwally around 2 to 2 and a half hours to perform a tummy tuck depending on whether or not liposuction will be performed with it.

Anesthesia Used
The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia (you will be asleep throughout the procedure). It can also be performed under regional anesthesia (anesthetic injected in the spine, similar to that used in child birth) where only the lower body loses sensation but you will be awake. In this case you will be given sedation which will make you relaxed and drowsy. You will be ready to leave after 3 to 4 hours from the completion of your surgery.
 

During Your Surgery

During your surgery an incision is made starting from one hip extending down towards the pubic area and then up to the other hip. If a mini tummy tuck is performed, the incision is much smaller, only limited to the crease between the lower abdomen and the pubic area somehow similar to the Cesarean section incision. After the excess skin is removed, and the muscles are tightened the belly button is elevated to its new optimal position. The final step is suturing the incision

 




 

After Your Surgery

After your surgery you will feel a bit sore and uncomfortable while moving around for the first 2 days during which you may need assistance from someone at home. It will take around 3 to 5 days for the discomfort to go away. Dr. Metwally will prescribe to you an antibiotic along with a pain killer to prevent infection and alleviate pain. You will have drains to drain any fluids from your tummy for 5 days.You will notice some swelling and bruising, these will subside gradually within the first 10 days to two weeks. You will find that there is plaster covering your tummy, this will be removed 5 days from your surgery by which time you can shower and gradually resume your daily activities. After that you will be asked to wear a special compression garment like a bathing suit and sometimes like a bathing suit with shorts if liposuction of the thighs was performed with the tummy tuck. You will take off this garment after 4 weeks. Most people are ready to go to work after a week from their surgery. Dr. Metwally uses absorbable stitches which will be absorbed on their own between 14 to 16 days. You need to refrain from vigorous sports for 4 to 6 weeks.

Seeing Your Result
 

The beauty of the tummy tuck procedure is that you can see significant results immediately after your surgery. Even though you will have plaster on your will still be able to see that your tummy is straight and firm. We will also show you the excess skin and fat that was removed from your tummy. Once done with your surgery -as always- some swelling will build. This swelling will subside between 2 to 4 weeks by which time you will be quite satisfied with your tummy's appearance. As more time passes, the swelling will totally subside and your body’s new shape will appear. According to Dr. Metwally's observation of his own patients, they usually see their final result after 6 to 8 weeks. The scar from the incision takes from 12 to 18 months to fade totally. You can choose to use products available at Dr. Metwally’s center that will make the scar fade faster. Once the scar fades it turns white more like a healed scar from a c-section. A good tummy tuck result will last for life provided that you don't gain/lose a significant amount of weight or get pregnant.