" My stomach sticks out, no matter how much cardiovascular activities I do”
What is an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck procedure?
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is the most effective way to tighten your stomach area. It also gets rid of loose or wrinkled skin. Stretch marks between the belly button and pubic hair are eliminated. Fat tissue in the lower abdomen is removed. The abdominal wall muscles are tightened so that even when sitting down or bending over the abdomen doesn’t ‘stick out’.
Benefits of an Abdominoplasty.
Abdominal wall deformities have three components:
- Loose or wrinkly skin, stretch marks. This can be a result of ageing, pregnancy, or marked weight loss.
- Fat tissue, most of the time seen in the lower abdomen.
- Muscle separation, which can occur by itself, or as a result of pregnancy. Sit-ups or ‘crunches’ don’t help in this situation as once the muscles relax, they separate and the tummy bulges out.
Liposuction alone can take care of excess fat tissue, but loose skin and stretch marks must be addressed by one of three techniques:
dermatolipectomy, mini-tummy tuck, or full tummy tuck.
A dermatolipectomy is a procedure that takes out skin and fat but does not tighten the muscle. It benefits most slender women who have wrinkly or excess skin but good muscle tone. It has the same scar as a tummy tuck.
A mini tummy tuck is best suited for women who don’t have stretch marks or saggy skin but have a ‘pouch’ below the belly button. It can be done through an incision in the belly button, or through a ‘C section’ scar if the patient wants a little excess skin taken off.
The full tummy tuck/abdominoplasty addresses the three components of abdominal deformity (skin, fat, muscle) so it benefits most women who want as flat a stomach as possible and as tight skin as possible. Results, especially when combined with liposuction of the flanks, are dramatic.
What is involved in the procedure?
The tummy tuck or abdominoplasty procedure can be done under general, regional, or twilight anesthesia, depending on individual patient preference and needs. The first step is to cut the skin between the belly button and top of pubic hair. The belly button stays in place. The muscles are then tightened from the pubic bone to the ribs. The skin above the belly button is then stretched down to the pubic area and stitched in place. Finally, the belly button is brought out thru the overlying skin to occupy its original position. Some liposuction is performed to fine tune the new shape of the abdomen area.
Skin which hangs over the sides of the hips.
If you have excess skin and fat which hangs over your hips, you should consider the body lift procedure. The body life includes a tummy tuck, thigh lift and buttock lift.
Contact Us
We would be happy to discuss your individual needs with you and answer any questions you may have about having tummy tuck with Dr. Somsak. Contact Us
Dr. Somsak Kunachakr is a board certified plastic surgeon specialising in cosmetic surgery procedures in Kasemrad Cosmetic Surgery Center, Bangkok, Thailand. His expertise includes facelift, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, body lift, liposuction, sex change surgery and breast enhancement procedures, such as breast augmentation, breast lift and breast reduction.
