What are the alternatives to tummy tuck?
Tummy Tuck Dubai | 20 May 2019
What are the alternatives to tummy tuck?
Although it’s not strictly an alternative, you might be able to have liposuction to reshape your abdomen. This is where your surgeon uses a special machine to suck out excess fat from under your skin. You can have it on its own instead of a tummy tuck, but it only removes fat, whereas a tummy tuck removes fat and skin. After liposuction, your skin will shrink back a little, if you’re younger and your skin is still quite elastic. But if you have loose skin or muscles before the operation, then liposuction alone won’t be effective. Liposuction might be helpful if you’re not generally overweight, but have localised areas of fat that you want to get rid of. If you have excess skin, liposuction alone won’t be effective. Liposuction may occasionally be an added part of a tummy tuck procedure. As with any medical procedure, liposuction can have side-effects and longer-term complications. Your surgeon will tell you about the potential risks and benefits of tummy tuck and any other treatment options available to you.
What happens during a tummy tuck?
Depending on how much fat and skin you’re having removed and the technique your surgeon is using, the operation can take between two and four hours. There are several types of tummy tuck. The one you have will depend on how much skin and fat you have removed. Your surgeon will discuss this with you and explain which type is most suitable for you and why. Occasionally, liposuction may also be done at the same time as your tummy tuck, but your surgeon will explain whether this is needed.
Standard tummy tuck
Your surgeon will make a cut in your abdomen from hip to hip along your pubic area (in women this is also called your bikini line). They’ll make another cut around your belly button to free it from the surrounding skin. Then the repair will tighten your abdominal muscles and remove excess fat and skin. The remaining skin is pulled down and a new hole is made for your belly button so that it is in the correct position. You’ll have a scar around your belly button and a long curved scar on your abdomen above your pubic area. Because of the normal pattern of pubic hair, the scar is generally higher in men than in women. You can usually hide these scars with your underwear or with swimwear such as a bikini or shorts, but this may not always be possible. This will differ from person to person and on the type of tummy tuck you have. Your surgeon will explain the scars you’re likely to have.
Mini tummy tuck
You can have a mini tummy tuck if you only need to have a small amount of skin or fat removed. Your surgeon will remove excess skin and fat from below your belly button and you usually have liposuction at the same time. Afterwards, you’ll have a curved scar on your abdomen above your pubic area. This may be slightly shorter than with a standard tummy tuck. Your belly button stays in the same place, but it may be a slightly different shape.