What to Expect During Tummy Tuck Surgery?

At Hospital Angeles, you may have one of two different types of Tummy Tuck procedures. The first, the regular Tummy Tuck, involves several incisions, the most significant being a long, curved incision that stretches under the lower abdomen from hip to hip like a smile, and around the navel. Your surgeon will then detach the skin from the abdominal muscles and trim any excess skin. The vertical abdominal muscles, which often have separated as a result of overstretching, are stitched so that they are tighter, usually resulting in a reduction of the waistline. Sometimes a small amount of liposuction is used to remove small pockets of fat. The incisions are closed using surgical stitches and, if necessary, the navel is reattached.

The other type of Tummy Tuck, the circular Tummy Tuck, is also often referred to as a “lower body lift.” This procedure involves an incision around the entire torso, extending under the abdomen in the same manner as a regular Tummy Tuck, and around the hipline across the top of the buttocks and flank area. Skin is then pulled up, cut, sculpted, and reattached on both the abdomen and in the flank and buttock areas. A small amount of liposuction is employed to remove small amounts of fat to achieve proper contouring.

These procedures may take anywhere from 1.5 to 5 hours depending on the complexity and circumstances of the procedure. Surgical drains are often utilized to facilitate healing, and the procedure is usually done under local and IV anesthesia. You will be asked to fast for 12 hours prior to surgery, and it is usually recommended that patients stop smoking for at least two weeks prior to surgery.