A tummy tuck is a an elective surgery to improve the shape and appearance of your abdomen. It is also known as abdominoplasty. During this cosmetic surgery procedure, excess abdominal skin and fat are removed from the abdominal area. Connective tissue in the abdominal wall is tightened using sutures to maintain a well-toned look.
You can choose to have a tummy tuck if you have excess fat or skin around the area of your belly button. A tummy tuck boosts your body image and your self-confidence.
There are a number of reasons one might have excess fat, poor elasticity of the skin, or weakened connective tissue in the abdomen. These include:
Substantial increase in weight due to various reasons including pregnancy,
Abdominal surgery, such as a C-section
Natural body type
Aging
Weight fluctuation after dieting or bariatric surgery
A tummy tuck can:
Remove loose, excess skin and fat
Tighten weak fascia and abdominal muscles
Remove stretch marks and excess skin below the belly button
If you’ve had fat removed from your abdomen using liposuction surgery, then you should consider going for a tummy tuck if the skin does not retract properly. This is because liposuction surgery removes tissue just under the skin and fat, but does not remove any excess skin.
Women who wish to regain their pre-pregnancy bodies should also consider opting for a tummy tuck.
In this blog, Dr. Vasant Gholave, Director of Arra Aesthetics, has shared some tips that will help you choose the right gynecomastia surgeon in Pune.
A tummy tuck isn’t for everyone. Dr. Vasant Gholave, Director of Arra Aesthetics, Pune, might caution against a tummy tuck if you:
Are planning to undergo significant weight loss in the future
May consider getting pregnant in future
Have significant scar tissue from a previous abdominal surgery
Have a severe chronic condition like heart disease or diabetes
Have a BMI greater than 30
Are a smoker
Have a family history of breast cancer- To keep the future option of breast reconstruction following mastectomy by a flap called a TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous) flap, which uses abdominal skin and fat in case if you need it. If you have had a tummy tuck, you will not be a candidate for this type of breast reconstruction later.
Tummy tuck surgery is not covered by insurance because it is considered a cosmetic procedure. Tummy tuck surgery costs will include the following factors:
Consultation fees
Fees for the team of doctors
Cost of the facility
Cost of the medical tests
Cost of dressings and post-surgery garments
The cost of tummy tuck in India may vary depending on certain factors like:
The type of surgery (if it is a first-time surgery or revision surgery)
The technique used (standard tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, or lipoabdominoplasty)
Experience and expertise of the surgeon
The location of the hospital or clinic
Accreditation of the facility.
At Arra Aesthetics, Pune, the cost of tummy tuck surgery is as follows:
Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery: The cost ranges from Rs. 85000 to Rs. 95000 + 18% GST
Standard Tummy Tuck Surgery: The cost ranges from Rs. 1.20 lakh to Rs. 1.40 lakh + 18% GST
Lipoadominoplasty Surgery: The cost ranges from Rs. 1.2 lakh to Rs. 1.4 lakh + 18% GST
During the consultation for tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Vasant Gholave, Director of Arra Aesthetics, Pune, will explain to you the total cost of tummy tuck surgery for your unique case and all the contributing factors involved.
Before a tummy tuck, you might need to:
Stop smoking as smoking decreases blood flow in the skin and can slow the healing process. In addition, smoking increases the risk of tissue damage.
Avoid certain medications as per guidance from the doctor. You’ll likely need to stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding during the procedure.
Maintain a stable weight. If you’re severely overweight, the doctor will recommend that you lose weight before the procedure
Dr. Vasant Gholave, Director of Arra Aesthetics, Pune, might advise an ultrasound examination or a CT Scan or MRI test of the abdominal wall to determine the presence of a hernia.
There are different procedures for a tummy tuck, depending on the results the patient wants to see. These are called mini-abdominoplasty (mini tummy tuck), standard abdominoplasty (standard tummy tuck ), extended abdominoplasty, fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty, circumferential abdominoplasty (body lift), panniculectomy, or lipoabdominoplasty. The choice of procedure depends upon the cause of the abdominal wall skin and fat excess, the extent of deformity, and examination findings during the consultation with Dr. Vasant Gholave, Board-certified Plastic Surgeon and Director of Arra Aesthetics, Pune. The procedure typically takes about two to four hours. The operation can be performed as daycare surgery or inpatient surgery.
During the typical tummy tuck
General anesthesia or local anesthesia is administered to the patient with intravenous sedation.
The surgeon makes incisions to remove most of the skin and fat between the belly button and pubic hairline in a horizontal oval or elliptical shape.
The connective tissue over the abdominal muscles is tightened with sutures.
The skin around the belly button is then repositioned.
The belly button is then brought out through a small incision and sutured in its usual position.
The incision from hip to hip above the pubic hair is then stitched together. This leaves a scar that falls along the natural crease within the bikini line.
The abdominal incision and belly button will be covered with surgical dressing.
Small tubes might be placed along the site of the incision to drain any excess fluid or blood. These drains might be left in place for several days post-surgery. The patient might need to continue taking an antibiotic as long as the drains are in place.
Antibiotics can be given during the procedure to prevent infection.
Many patients choose to combine their tummy tuck with other body contouring procedures like:
The patient will be asked to walk as early as the first day after the procedure to help prevent the formation of blood clots.
They may feel moderate pain for about a week. Medication can be prescribed to keep the pain under control.
The patient will have minimal swelling in the surgical area.
For the first six weeks after the tummy tuck, the patient will need to be careful when moving around. The patient should avoid lifting heavy objects and avoid positions that strain the incision line — such as quickly bending at the waist.
The healing time can vary from person to person and will also depend on the type of surgery performed. Generally, it can take up to two to three weeks before the patient is able to return to work and resume their normal daily activities.
Regular follow-ups with Dr. Vasant Gholave, Board-certified Plastic Surgeon and Director of Arra Aesthetics, Pune, will be scheduled to keep a check on progress.
Like any other surgical procedure, a tummy tuck poses various risks, including:
Seroma:
A seroma is an accumulation of fluid beneath the skin. Drainage tubes left in place after surgery can help reduce the risk of excess fluid. Dr. Vasant Gholave might also remove fluid after surgery using a needle and syringe.
Poor Healing:
Sometimes areas along the incision line begin to separate or heal poorly.
Scarring:
The scar from a tummy tuck surgery is permanent. The visibility and length of the scar vary between individuals.
Tissue Healing:
During a tummy tuck, fatty tissue deep within the skin might get damaged. Depending on the size of the area, tissue might heal on its own or require a surgical touch-up.
Numbness:
After the tummy tuck procedure, the patient will likely feel some reduced sensation or numbness in the lower abdominal region. This usually diminishes in the months after the procedure.
Dr. Vasant Gholave, Board-certified Plastic Surgeon and Director of Arra Aesthetics, Pune, does his best to ensure that most of these risks or complications can be avoided or minimized by careful and proper preoperative planning.
The Patient: 60-year-old woman with excess tummy fat
The Problem: Knee pain and back pain caused by the excess weight adding more strain to the joints and the lower back
The Attempts: Years of dieting and exercising
The Solution: Tummy tuck surgery performed by Dr. Vasant Gholave at Arra Aesthetics, Pune
The Result: Loss of excess fat and relief from pain
The story:
"I had developed a large tummy 8 years back due to sudden weight gain. For the last 8 years, I have been doing a regular diet and exercise to get rid of excess tummy fat and lose weight.
Due to excess tummy fat and weight, my knees and back were hurting a lot. I was avoiding tummy tuck surgery as I was scared. My doctor son assured me and showed positive reviews about Dr. Vasant Gholave. He assured me and boosted my confidence to undergo abdominoplasty surgery. It almost took one month for me to fully recover. I can not explain the joy of getting rid of excess fat folds.
What a relief I have got!!
I don’t know how long I would have suffered if I had not met Dr. Vasant Gholave. It was the best decision of my life to undergo the surgery."
Get Rid Of Stubborn Belly Fat With A Tummy Tuck
book appointmentDr. Vasant Gholave is an immensely skilled Plastic Surgeon, Hair Transplant Surgeon, and Cosmetic surgeon in Pune. After a strong experience of 21 years, he came up with a cosmetic surgery and cosmetology treatment solution, “Arra Aesthetics”, which not only has the latest technology and treatments but also state-of-the-art infrastructure under one roof. Dr. Vasant always strives for the best results and has the zeal to continuously improve and innovate in his practice of cosmetic and laser surgery.
Read morebook appointmentTake the first step to become a new you today by booking an appointment with Arra Aesthetics, a top-rated plastic surgery clinic in Pune.