Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck and lipo-abdominoplasty are two different surgical procedures used to improve the appearance of the abdomen.
Abdominoplasty, also known as a "tummy tuck," is a cosmetic surgery procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the underlying muscles to create a flatter and more toned appearance. This procedure is often recommended for individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight, have excess skin after pregnancy, or have excess skin and fat in the abdominal area due to aging.
Lipoabdominoplasty, on the other hand, combines traditional abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with liposuction, which is a cosmetic surgery procedure that removes excess fat from targeted areas of the body. In lipo abdominoplasty, the surgeon first uses liposuction to remove excess fat from the abdominal area and then performs a traditional abdominoplasty to remove excess skin and tighten the underlying muscles.
In addition to the skin changes, the muscles of the abdomen are separated (divarication of recti), which causes the abdominal contents to protrude through the abdomen.
The tummy tuck procedure involves the removal of an ellipse of skin from the lower part of the abdomen. The final scar falls below the bikini line and is well hidden. The belly button also has to be resisted, and there is a faint scar around this.
Liposuction contours the flanks and accentuates the final result. It also removes excess fat in the upper abdomen. It adds the final touch in taking a good result to one that is excellent
Dr. Faisal is an expert in this procedure and has been featured in:
http://www.dubaisbest.com/best-tummy-tuck-dubai/
He performs the procedure regularly. Dr Faisal is a specialist in creating a very natural, flat stomach, with flowing curves and a very low scar. He is renowned for designing the best belly button, as this can destroy the look of an otherwise good tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck At a Glance
Treatment time- 3 hours
Anaesthetic- General
Overnight stay- 1 night
Return to work- 10 days
Return to exercise- 6 weeks
Final result- 6-12 months
There are many types of tummy tucks. Dr Faisal will assess your case and recommend the correct procedure. In principle, there are 4 types of tummy tucks,
This is ideal for small amounts of excess skin beneath the belly button. There is typically a fold of skin over a cesarean section scar. Liposuction can be combined with the procedure. The scar is kept very low. The belly button is not cut and is often pulled into a lower position. The healing time and return to work are normally shorter for this
This procedure is targeted at those with more generalized excess skin and fat. It is used to correct muscle separation following weight loss and pregnancy. The operation excises a large amount of skin. The belly button will also need to be replaced. The scar is low and goes from hip to hip. It is combined with liposuction to help contour the flanks
This addresses everything a full abdominoplasty does. It differs in that it removes excess skin around the hip rolls. This extended incision goes around the back but does not complete a 360. The recovery time is the same as a full abdominoplasty
This tummy tuck is used less frequently. It targets excess skin and fat localized to the area above the belly button. The incisions are made in the breast crease. Liposuction can be used to remove the fat. The belly button is not incised. Only the skin above the belly button is excised. The recovery is similar to a full tummy tuck
Tummy tucks are a major procedure. We recommend having some help for the first 5 days following the procedure. You will need help getting home.
In this early phase, your mobility is limited, and doing tasks such as cleaning the house and shopping will be difficult
Dr. Faisal uses the latest techniques in order to enhance tummy tuck recovery. During the procedure, he injects local anaesthesia into the muscles and liposuction areas to reduce pain and improve the experience for his patients. The VASER technique for liposuction he uses has also been shown to reduce pain for patients.
For the first 3 days, the position of the patient is slightly bent. The main pain patients complain of is from the lower back. This is managed well with the discharge medications. The pain improves every day and patients often need no medication after 5 days.
This depends on how much liposuction is done. If there is no liposuction, then Dr. Faisal will not use drains. If there is liposuction, then fluid (seroma) build-up can occur. The best way to manage this is to insert drains, so they are not troublesome
Yes- the compression garment needs to be worn for at least 6 weeks. This helps reduce swelling and speeds up recovery. Patients often wear it for longer periods, as the swelling can often persist for longer.
Dr. Faisal recommends the use of Manual lymphatic drainage following the procedure. He has found that this significantly improves the swelling and also speeds up the recovery. It reduces fibrosis under the skin and this leaves a smoother result on the skin
Associated procedure
Pricing- starts at AED 35000
Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is performed as a general anesthetic
The tummy tuck procedure requires an overnight stay. The scar is initially marked and kept as low as possible. Depending on how much tissue you need excising around the flank area will determine the length of the scar
Liposuction is initially carried out and fat is removed from around the back, flanks, and abdomen. This is to ensure that there is as little fat under the skin as possible.
The incision is then made and care is taken to preserve the belly button.
The muscles are identified and the separation is assessed. They will be approximated if necessary. This is an important procedure as ca really reshape the abdomen, and also have longer-term core strength benefits
The belly button is then desired, excess skin excised and the wound closed and the abdominal incised.
Suction Drains will also be placed
Glue will be applied to the wound and a dressing
After the tummy tuck, the patient will awaken with a compression garment around the abdomen. There may or may not be a drainage tube, depending on the amount of tissue excised. The pain will be well controlled due to local anesthetic injections during surgery
The patient will stay one night in the hospital and encouraged to mobilize as quickly as possible. Painkillers are given on discharge and antibiotics are taken for 1 week. The first couple of days are the worst for discomfort, but improvement occurs every day
The first post-operative visit occurs at 48 hours. The drainage tube will be removed. The next visit is at 1 week and by this visit, the patient is not in any discomfort and performing most activities of daily living
Manual lymphatic massage will be advised at this stage. This can significantly reduce the swelling you experience and increase the speed of recovery
Driving is normally possible at 10-14 days. You need to be able to safely execute an emergency stop
There are further visits at 2 weeks and 6 weeks
Work can normally resume at 2 weeks
The compression garment is removed at 6 weeks
Exercise is resumed at 8 weeks
Start taking Arnica 1 week leading up to the procedure
Avoid the combined oral contraceptive pill 3 weeks prior to the procedure
Avoid heavy exercise 1 week prior to the procedure
Avoid alcohol the day before the procedure
Avoid taking blood-thinning medications 1 week prior to the procedure
BMI < 30. Being overweight is known to give more complications.
No significant medical issues, such as diabetes
No smoking 3 weeks prior to the operation. Smoking is known to have a negative effect on wound healing
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