Recent coverage by UK Channel 4 on the perils of plastic surgery abroad make it very clear that you need to research your mini tummy tuck, tummy tuck or abdominoplasty very carefully. Surgery of any type is a serious undertaking and because the surgery you are contemplating is cosmetic surgery, does not make it any less so.
At Bodies Beautiful in Prague we have had a lot of experience of mini tummy tucks and tummy tucks or to give it it's proper medical name, abdominoplasty. The most common reasons that women seek a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is because after child birth their skin has become lax and the loss of strength of the muscles in the abdomen means that the skin hangs down, rather like an apron. Dramatic weight loss can also lead a woman to seek a tummy tuck, as the skin stretched through obesity has lost elasticity and the underlying muscles no long support the abdomen so that when the weight is lost, skin does not spring back but rather hangs in folds over the abdomen.
But to talk first about the mini tummy tuck. This is a less extensive procedure than the abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) where the waist area is effectively 'tidied up'. This mini tummy tuck surgery is suitable for patients where drastic correction is not required, and where the muscles of the abdomen may not need to be tightened. A mini tummy tuck does not always involve the surgeon having to reposition the belly button. When surgery is done for the mini tummy tuck the skin is separated between the line of incision and the belly button only. A skin flap is pulled down to tighten the tummy, excess skin is cut away and the flap of skin is reattached. The result of the mini tummy tuck is a flatter more toned looking tummy. Even although this is a mini tummy tuck it will still take a couple of hours in surgery and will involve a hospital stay, the length of which will vary according to each patient's needs.
Expectations for any kind of cosmetic surgery are often very high, but if you approach your mini tummy tuck realistically it can offer an excellent result and one that is long lasting. It will, however, be important to follow healthy life-style so that you do not gain weight following your mini tummy tuck.
Recovery after a mini tummy tuck should be straightforward, stitches that are applied will normally be of the dissolvable type and support bandages will need to be worn to begin with in the period immediately after your mini tummy tuck. There will be bruising and there may be some swelling but this is normal and should settle within a couple of days. Any pain control you need will the managed by the clinic staff.
Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a more extensive operation. In a full tummy tuck operation the surgeon will make his incision along the pubic line from hip to hip. He will then make a second incision so that the navel can be freed from the tissue surrounding it. The skin flap that is produced from these incisions is then lifted to allow the surgeon access to the abdominal muscles below the skin. The next step of the tummy tuck is for the surgeon to realign the muscles so that they once again are positioned to support the overlying skin. A new hole in the skin is made for the belly button to be repositioned. The result should be a flatter and more youthful looking abdomen. Some times in tummy tuck surgery liposuction is used as an additional method of achieving the desired result but on it's own the tummy tuck will take a couple of hours. It will be necessary for a patient who has had abdominoplasty to stay in hospital for two to three nights following surgery. At Bodies Beautiful in Prague our clients are usually delighted with the results of their tummy tuck. The new tighter and firmer tummy without the overhanging 'apron' makes them feel younger and more confident. If you are considering a tummy tuck it is best to have realistic expectations. A tummy tuck can make a dramatic difference but nothing will return your body to the days of your youth!
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