Most people, regardless of their age, strive for a flat and well-toned abdomen that is really hard to achieve even with proper diet and exercise. Other people opt for other surgical procedures that would make their tummy look better. One popular method known for this kind of results is abdominoplasty.
Abdominoplasty, popularly known as tummy tack, is a cosmetic procedure wherein excess skin and fat in the middle and lower abdomen are removed to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. Most patients undergoing this procedure are individuals who lost a significant amount of weight after pregnancy or a major weight loss. Other clients that went through this procedure are the ones who are hereditarily overweight and people who are aging.
After the abdominoplasty procedure, the patient may experience vomiting or nausea because of the general anaesthesia used during the process. The abdomen might be swollen because of the incisions made in the procedure. Also, the patient would experience pain and numbness on the dominant part of the abdomen. The pain may be lessened by pain relievers or pain medications.
Recovering from abdominoplasty depends on the extent of the procedure. For the first few weeks, the patient should stay indoors to avoid excessive movements that may trigger the incisions to open. Patients are advised to wear bandages and other garments that would compress the tummy to reduce its swelling. Also, patients are instructed to refrain from doing strenuous activities like exercise, and lifting heavy objects.
As observed by many plastic surgeons in the Philippines, bruises may be found near the affected area, but seeing these contusions is normal. Closed suction drains are attached to the patient to assist drainage of any probable fluid. Fluids from the abdomen may be pinkish, reddish or brownish. Sometimes, there would be solid constituents that would go along with the fluids, so the drains need to be cleaned regularly.
Most patients experienced a period of depression during recovery period after the surgery. Normally, the bruising and swelling make them feel ugly and confused. Experiencing depression after the surgery is a normal condition called Post-surgical Depression. This occurs when a patient expects instant result after a surgery which does not really happen. After the healing process, this depression usually disappears.
The results of this procedure are highly dependent on the weight loss or gain of the patient. Moreover, abdominoplasty is not a direct substitute of exercise and proper diet. Patients should maintain a healthy lifestyle so that the results of the procedure will last.





