Tummy Tuck

Surgical way of dealing with bulging belly is Tummy tuck. Once abdomen becomes protuberant, may after pregnancy in females or obesity in males/females, usually it does not fall back and person is living in distress. More so, abdominal muscles stretched beyond capacity to return to normal, do not respond to any amount of diet control, yoga, gym or exercises. Those who appreciates the importance of being in shape, and wants to regain, 'Tummy Tuck' also known as abdominoplasty provides a long term solution. TECHNICALLY speaking, Tummy tuck also known as 'Abdominoplasty' is a Cosmetic Surgery operation designed to remove the excess loose skin of abdominal areas, suck out fat, cut to size the hanging fat apron[ if any ] and to tighten the loose abdominal muscles. Mostly, repositioning of Umbilicus along with its shaping is required. This procedure dramatically flattens the protuberant belly, takes away the looseness and shapes the body. This is equally common and popular among men and women alike.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER TUMMY TUCK OPERATION ? Men or women of any age who are bothered by abdominal bulge, extra fat deposit in tummy are and loose skin, may be along with a hanging layer of fat and skin are the right candidates. Ladies after pregnancy often requires to shape the bulge, loose skin with stretch marks. Deformity or Scar of C-Section [ Caesarian Section operation to deliver baby] is also revised. Men who have gained quite a lot and then controlled to reduce themselves, also develops abdominal bulge which fails to resolve; also have to resort to tummy tuck.

OPERATIVE DETAILS : 

Depending upon the patients requirements, surgeon has to choose between "MINI TUMMY TUCK" and "FULL TUMMY TUCK". In both cases LIPOSUCTION is required to be done along with.

MINI TUMMY TUCK is considered only in those who have little loose skin, mainly below the umbilicus. A skin incision is given in lower abdominal crease, flap of skin with fat is raised, tightening of lower abdominal muscles done, after re-draping extra fat and skin layer is removed and layers closed finely. This leaves a thin fine scar in bikini area.

FULL TUMMY TUCK is for those who have large bulge of whole abdomen, loose skin, fat tiers and hanging fat layer. Incision is given in lower abdominal crease, flap of skin plus fat is raised [after giving a round incision around umbilicus] till upper abdomen. Tightening of abdominal muscles are done in the centre, skin flap is pulled down to mark the excess layer [ which is removed] umbilicus re-positioned at a new higher level. Closer is done to leave a fine scar in bikini area.

LIPOSUCTION is done to suck out fat from the fat layer along with tummy tuck [Mini or Full] to give permanent reduction in fat layer from all parts of abdomen and flanks. Liposuction sucks out fat along with fat cell. ANESTHSIA is required for this operation. Choice of anesthesia is between regional and general. Usually, a qualified, trained and experienced anesthesiologist decides after examining the patient. Patients consideration and choice is also helps in deciding the type of anesthesia.

ADDITIONAL OPERATION required in some patients having HERNIA in umbilical region, incisional or ventral type, is also done along with the tummy tuck operation.

DRESSINGS applied are elasticized compression garments. It is advisable to move out of bed from next day, though hospitalized for 3-7 days, depending upon the type of surgery. Normal regular diet along with ambulation is encouraged.

FOLLOW-UP period is from 10-20 days. It depends upon how many surgical procedures are done and healing power of the body. During this time patient is advise to remain restful. AIR TRAVEL is usually allowed after 15 -20 days.

LONG TERM BENEFITS are appreciated by the patient in terms of getting back flatter tummy, loosing fat layer permanently. Back in slimmer and thinner figure enhanced shape and appearance, patient's confidence touches new heights.

Uncertainty & Risk 
Thousands of tummy tuck operations are performed successfully each year around the globe, the results are generally quite positive. Nevertheless, there are always risk associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure. Post operative complications such as infections and blood clots are rare, but can occur. Infections can be treated with drainage and antibiotics but can prolonged your hospital stay. You can minimize the risk of blood clot by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible. Poor healing, which results conspicuous scars may necessitate a second operation. It is advised not to smoke as smoking may increase the risk of complications and delay healing.

LIPOSUCTION

Cosmetic surgery procedure which removes extra fat from the body is known as LIPOSUCTION. Fat which is deposited under the skin anywhere in the body could be sucked out . Liposuction is one of the most common cosmetic surgery operation done world wide.

Figure conscious persons who are aware of the importance of smart good looking body shape wants to get there lost figure and shape by getting removed extra deposited fat by Liposuction technique . In experienced and expert hands of a certified cosmetic surgeon, this is quite safe and simple operation. This gives permanent result as fat is removed along with fat cells.

OPERATIVE DETAILS : 

Liposuction is perform under anesthesia, may be Local, Regional or General. Choice of the anesthesia largely depends on the patients and is decided accordingly .

Lipolysis solution is first of all injected into the fat layer in good amount this is to facilitate fat suction through small bore cannula.

5 to 10mm cut is given, liposuction cannula is passed through this hole in to the fat layer. Other end of the cannula is attached to the powerful suction machine. With to and fro controlled motions of the cannula, fat along with the fat cells is sucked out and collected in to the machine.

After the procedure is over pressure dressing is applied to obliterate the dead space and allow the skin to fix with the deeper layers. Usually it takes 60-90 minutes for the operation. Patients can go back home same evening or next morning.

POST OPERATIVE: During the post operative period patients is required to use compression garments . This allows faster healing less swelling and less pain . Patients feel comfortable using pressure garment which is thin light and is worn under any type of dress.

REPEATED LIPOSUCTIONS AT SHORTER INTERVALS (RLSI): This is my modification to the exciting liposuction procedures. With this technique we can do liposuction frequently in those patients who wish to get in shape and figure by reducing from many parts. This technique is safe RLSI helps to suck out fat from more than one part at one time, for the remaining parts liposuction is carried out after 48-72 hours. With this operation fat is suck out from almost all body parts within one week (instead of waiting for 3-6 months or more).

Need for modification to the exciting technique of liposuction was felt after seeing lots of bulky patients from Punjab and Northern India. These patients were willing to get into shape at the earliest. To satisfy the needs of such patients "Repeated liposuctions at shorter Intervals" was designed. RLSI is safe, gives results of liposuction faster and is economical.