Successful weight loss is a great achievement and a step in the right direction toward better health. Millions of people every year choose bariatric surgery, often known as weight loss surgery, to help them lose weight and keep it off. Yet, after recuperating from the surgery, one may discover that loose or drooping skin is making it difficult to reap the benefits of weight loss.
The good news is that surgical intervention can eliminate the surplus skin and fat and fix the damaged muscle structures. The tummy tuck is a surgical technique used to manage the extra skin and other issues often experienced by patients who have undergone significant weight loss. In this article, Dr. Medha Bhave, the best surgeon for discusses everything one needs to know before going for a tummy tuck surgery after weight loss.
What is Tummy Tuck Surgery?
A tummy tuck (often referred to as an “abdominoplasty“) is a cosmetic procedure performed to remove stubborn pockets of skin from the abdominal area following major weight loss or sagging abdomen skin post-pregnancy. Skin loses its elasticity after being stretched and will not contract to fit the new body contour. The tummy tuck surgery can efficiently remove superfluous skin, especially in the area just below the belly button.
Types of Tummy Tuck Surgery
At Laser Cosmesis, Dr. Medha Bhave, the best cosmetic surgeon in Mumbai, performs major types of tummy surgeries.
The surgical approach taken is decided after a thorough examination of the patient's anatomy and a thorough discussion of their surgery goals.
- Mini Tummy Tuck: This is for those whose bellies have sagged naturally as a result of pregnancy or weight reduction, and who want only a subtle improvement. Excess skin is not removed during a mini tummy tuck, making this operation number one on the list. The emphasis is on the area of the stomach below the belly button. Scarring is minimal and easily concealed because an incision is made along the natural crease of the bikini line. When necessary, the lower ab muscles can be tightened.
- High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty: Those who have lost a significant amount of weight and want more skin tightened may benefit from a high lateral tension abdominoplasty. This procedure not only eliminates sagging skin in the abdominal region but also from the back and the love handles. After making an incision that extends from the hips to the lower sides of the back, the patient's excess fat will be trimmed and the skin will be tightened.
- Modified Tummy Tuck: A modified tummy tuck involves the removal of excess skin from the upper abdomen and the subsequent pulling down of the remaining abdominal skin to reveal the abdominal muscles. An incision will be made just below the navel, and another one will be made all the way around the belly button. This will result in a leaner and slimmer abdomen area.
Why Do I Need Abdominoplasty After Weight Loss?
Significant weight loss is an incredible achievement. But, even after one has lost the necessary amount of weight, one may still have to face certain challenges. In some cases, people feel self-conscious about their drooping abdominal skin and unfortunately, dietary and physical changes alone don't help with fixing this. In such conditions, a tummy tuck can help one with improving their appearance significantly.
After weight loss, one can go for a tummy tuck surgery for other reasons as well. Dr. Medha Bhave says she has seen cases where patients' bodies don't allow them the flexibility of movement necessary to engage in particular exercises if they're carrying about some extra fat. In such cases, abdominoplasty can help one regain their confidence in the gym by giving a flatter stomach.
Benefits of Tummy Tuck Surgery
Apart from improving one's appearance by tucking in the sagging abdomen skin, an abdominoplasty surgery comes with many more benefits. These include:
1. A better posture:
While a tummy tuck is not typically used to improve posture, it is unquestionably a benefit of the treatment. As the core abdominal muscles become more rigid, one's back and spine will be better supported, easing stress on the rest of the body and enhancing posture.
2. Helps reduce back pain:
Having good posture lets one sit and stand up straight, which gives them more confidence. A better posture might also help reduce back pain. The surgery can lessen back pain by correcting the posture, which helps prevent or treat existing back disorders.
3. Decreases stress urinary incontinence:
Women who have had vaginal deliveries are most commonly affected by stress urine incontinence. This condition causes uncontrollable bladder leaking, particularly while laughing, sneezing, or coughing. An abdominoplasty surgery can help alleviate this problem. During the procedure, the surgeon makes a bladder obstruction out of the fatty tissue around the pelvis.
4. Makes workout simpler:
Being in shape will make the things one used to enjoy doing much easier, allowing one to spend more time doing them. It will be considerably simpler to maintain a healthy weight than it was prior to the operation because of the narrower stomach and decreased weight that follows a tummy tuck.
5. Removing scars from Caesarean sections:
Women who undergo caesarean surgery have lingering scars following the surgery. Having a tummy tuck surgery can also help eliminate those existing C-section scars, along with the removal of loose skin. When the old scars are incorporated into the incisions for the abdominoplasty, it makes it more likely that they will heal properly and fade with time.
Is Abdominoplasty Surgery a Good Option for Me?
A tummy tuck is an effective method of removing extra skin from the abdominal region. A tummy tuck is best for those who are at their goal weight, are otherwise healthy, and don't smoke. A stomach tuck may be the answer if one's exercise routine is resulting in flabby abdominal skin despite their best efforts.
Tummy Tuck Surgery at Laser Cosmesis
At Laser Cosmesis, Dr. Medha Bhave carries out abdominoplasty under spinal and epidural anaesthesia. The process begins with a full liposuction. At Laser Cosmesis, liposuction is a standard part of every belly tuck.
Similar to a caesarean section, a cut is made in the lower end of the abdominal crease. In this procedure, the skin is elevated, the muscles are contracted, and any hernias that may be present are corrected. Finally, any excess skin is removed and tugged downward. In this method, the navel is positioned in its natural position. No internal drains are left behind as the wound is closed. By correcting drooping skin, the technique also addresses the intimate regions. During the course of two days, your legs will be slowly straightened while you rest with your hips folded.
The bottom line is that a tummy tuck surgery in Mumbai can be a very effective surgery for people who have had significant weight loss. Dr. Medha Bhave understands how challenging it can be to undergo cosmetic surgery. Therefore, she listens carefully to her patient’s goals and concerns throughout each consultation and procedure visit.
To book an appointment for tummy tuck surgery, visit Laser Cosmesis today!
