Pregnancy, yoyo dieting and significant weight loss or the natural ageing process can leave behind unwanted sagging fat and skin around the stomach area. When exercise and diet don’t work, a “tummy tuck,” or abdominoplasty, is an increasingly popular solution.
One of the cosmetic procedures offered at BIMC Nusa Dua’s CosMedic Centre, the tummy tuck’s primary aim is to give you a firmer, thinner body contour, thereby boosting personal self-image and confidence. These changes can be permanent so long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight following surgery.
Am I a Good Candidate?
There are two types of tummy tuck. The full abdominoplasty is recommended when patients have excessive fat deposits, plus damage to the muscle beneath, causing an unsightly sort of apron effect. The modified or “mini” abdominoplasty is required when muscle tone remains, but the skin is loose, as often happens when the body inside gets smaller but the skin does not.
Women should not take this step if they are planning a future pregnancy, because the result of the procedure may be lost. Nor should they expect it to correct stretch marks, although they may be cut away or somewhat improved, depending on their location.
For those who wish to lose additional fat, liposuction or tubal removal may be performed in conjunction with the tuck, with the surgeon’s approval. A tummy tuck also may be recommended to correct specific trauma, tumors or other disease.
So, What Should I Expect?
Depending on the individual’s requirements, the operation may take up to three hours under general anesthesia. Although it is regarded as a “safe” procedure and gaining adherents worldwide, it is also major surgery. So there are risks, varying from one patient to another and these will be evaluated by the plastic surgeon.
There likely will be some post-surgery bruising and discomfort at first and the scarring will be raw and unattractive. Scars will fade slowly for as long as a year and might be assisted by laser treatment or other reducing action. Whenever possible, of course, surgeons make their incisions with modern bathing suit design in mind.
Patients may be hospitalized for two days or less, but full recovery may take several weeks and sometimes up to several months. Most normal activity can be resumed within a few weeks, however, so long as it doesn’t require any extreme activity. An abdominal support garment usually is required for temporary use and medication may be prescribed for pain.
Your Next Step
“We ask our patients from other countries to research while still at home, including advance consultation with our surgeons by telephone,” said Dr. Ridwan, head of BIMC Nusa Dua’s CosMedic Centre. “A surgery date and time must also be booked. This is a popular procedure for visitors to Bali because they can use their vacation time and be near the hospital during immediate recovery especially when staying in Nusa Dua.”
