In this article, Dr. Leena Jain, a Top , Mumbai, talks about “What is tummy tuck surgery and what is the treatment for it?”

Dr. Leena Jain is a Plastic Reconstructive Microsurgeon and Hand Surgeon in Mumbai who is highly passionate and dedicated to her profession. She recommends the surgical solution for her patients based on long-term outcomes and the patients’ profession, allowing them to return to work and live their daily life as early as possible after the procedure is completed.

A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery performed to alter the shape and appearance of the abdomen.

A stomach tuck is a procedure in which extra skin and fat are removed from the abdomen. The excess skin is then relocated to give a more toned appearance. As well as the abdominal connective tissue (fascia), sutures are frequently used to tighten the abdominal muscles.

If you have excess fat or skin in the area of your belly button, or if you have a weak lower abdominal wall, you may want to consider having a stomach tuck. A belly tuck might also help you feel better about your body image, says Dr. Leena Jain, a premium plastic surgeon in Mumbai.

Risks

A tummy tuck carries several complications, including the following:

Wound healing is substandard

Occasionally, portions along the incision line heal poorly or even separate from the rest of the body. Antibiotics may be administered to you during and after surgery to avoid infection.

Scarring that was not expected

Tummy tuck incision scars are permanent. However, they are often positioned along the bikini line, readily hidden by clothing. Depending on the individual, the length and visibility of the scar may differ.

Changes in the feeling of the skin

The rearrangement of your abdominal tissues after a tummy tuck may cause nerve damage in the abdominal area and, less frequently, in the upper thighs, depending on your circumstances. You’ll almost certainly experience some numbness or reduced sensation. This is usually less noticeable in the months following the treatment.

A tummy tuck carries the same risks as any other type of major surgery, including the possibility of bleeding, infection, and a poor reaction to anesthesia notes Mumbai-based leading plastic surgeon Dr. Leena Jain.

Dr. Leena Jain is also mentioned in some of the top sites like Practo, Clinicspots, Lybrate as one of the top Neurologists in Thane.

Treatment

A stomach tuck can be performed in either a hospital or an outpatient surgical center. A general anesthetic will be administered throughout your tummy tuck procedure, rendering you entirely unconscious and unable to feel pain. Occasionally, you may be given a pain-relieving drug as well as a mild sedative to help you relax.

During the treatment

A belly tuck can be performed using various techniques, depending on your specific goals and the magnitude of the change you want to achieve. During a traditional stomach tuck, your plastic surgeon incisions in the skin and fat between your belly button and pubic hair in a horizontal oval or elliptical form, removing most of the skin and fat. Permanent sutures are then used to tighten the fascia, the connective tissue that sits over the abdominal muscles.

The shape and length of the incision will be determined by the amount of excess skin that has been removed and the type of operation you have had. The incision above the pubic hair will be put together, leaving a scar that falls along the natural crease within the bikini line after the procedure is completed.

An antibiotic may be administered during the surgery to keep you away from becoming infected. The operation takes approximately two to three hours, opines Dr. Leena Jain, a top plastic surgery specialist from Mumbai.

Following the procedure

Following a tummy tuck procedure, a surgical dressing will most likely be applied over your abdominal incision and belly button. Small tubes may be put along with the incision site to drain any extra blood or fluid accumulated.

To help you avoid the formation of blood clots, your health care team members will assist you in walking as soon as the first day following your procedure.

You will likely be prescribed pain medication. It is common to experience swelling around the surgery site.

Drains may be required to be left in place for several days following surgery. You may need to continue taking an antibiotic for the duration of the drains’ installation. A member of your healthcare team will demonstrate how to empty and care for your gutters.

In addition, your surgeon may recommend that you take blood-thinning medicine for a short period following your tummy tuck.

After your stomach tuck, you’ll need to wear a supportive abdominal garment (abdominal binder) for around six weeks. This aids in the prevention of fluid accumulation and the provision of abdominal support as you recover. Your doctor will instruct you on how to care for your scar correctly.

Move with caution for the first six weeks following your tummy tuck procedure to avoid any complications from the system. You’ll also need to avoid positions that put tension on your incision line — such as swiftly bending at the waist — to stop the wound from reopening completely.

You’ll need to schedule follow-up appointments regularly. Inquire with your doctor about how frequently you should be seen.

Results

A stomach tuck can improve the appearance of your belly by removing excess skin and fat and strengthening your abdominal wall. The result is a more toned and more petite abdomen.

If you maintain a constant weight, the results of a tummy tuck are typically long-lasting.