Abdominoplasty in Iran ( Tummy Tuck )

Besides, while language and communication may seem like a barrier to many foreigners, this country has a wide range of English-speaking physicians and medical staff. Therefore, there will be no problem with physician-patient communication and mutual understanding.

Best plastic surgeons to perform Abdominoplasty surgery

The selection of a plastic surgeon for Abdominoplasty surgery is a difficult decision; the person should receive high-quality medical services with great accuracy and considering the treatment costs

Types of Abdominoplasty

Full Abdominoplasty

This is the most common type of abdominoplasty because it focuses on the entire middle part of the abdomen. In this procedure, your surgeon makes two incisions – one in the lower abdomen and the other around the navel. Although the scar is more visible this way, these incisions allow your surgeon to remove sagging skin in the upper and lower abdomen.

Many patients benefit from this type of surgery, including women after pregnancy and those dissatisfied with their body changes due to genetics or ageing.

Extended Abdominoplasty

This procedure is usually performed for patients who need to remove a significant amount of skin. This often happens after severe weight loss.

The surgeon makes an incision that wraps around the abdomen to reach the buttocks in this procedure. Such a large incision allows him to tighten the skin evenly on the lower abdomen. This method can leave a more prominent scar than other methods, which is more difficult to hide under clothes.

Miniature Abdominoplasty

This procedure is only suitable for a small number of patients. Incisions in this method only require a 4-8-inch wound above the pubic area, which neither moves the umbilical cord nor removes excess skin in the upper abdomen.

Liposuction Assisted Abdominoplasty

This procedure, when performed simultaneously, is designed to remove excess skin and fat from the patient. Liposuction is a procedure that eliminates body fat masses. Combining liposuction with abdominoplasty is common and can be helpful for patients who want to remove body fat by removing loose skin and repairing muscle tissue at the same time.

How is Abdominoplasty surgery performed?

This kind of surgery usually lasts between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the specific surgical techniques and the amount of skin and excess fat that needs to be removed. The incision is made from the hip joint to the pelvis, along the pubic area or the so-called bikini line. Then a circular incision is made around the navel of the abdomen to release it from the surrounding skin.

After tightening the muscles, removing excess fat and skin, and pulling the skin, a new hole is created in a suitable position as the navel of the abdomen. Finally, the incisions are sewn with stitches. A dressing or a compression garment is used, and the excess fluid is evacuated. It is also possible to recommend you to have liposuction surgery simultaneously to have a satisfactory result.

What should be expected during the recovery process?

After the Abdominoplasty surgery, the recovery process usually lasts about 1 to 2 weeks. You will experience pain, discomfort, swelling, bruising, and numbness during this period. A particular device for the withdrawal of blood will be attached to you for a few days if it is necessary. Your doctor will give you the required instructions on taking care of yourself at home.

What is the Abdominal Mini-Abdominoplasty?

As its name implies, fewer incisions are made in the abdomen in the mini-abdominoplasty surgery, and this surgery is possible in the abdomens with less fat. This method is a suitable option for people who have a small amount of fat and extra skin in their abdominal area.

People whose abdomen is sagging due to ageing, or people who are thin but whose abdomen is sagging and more extensive compared to their body, may also consider this surgery to change the appearance of their abdomen to a desirable shape. In a mini-abdominoplasty surgery, the abdominal muscles become tight, and the excess skin is removed only in the area below the navel of the abdomen.

The incision is made in the lower part of the abdomen, while the navel of the abdomen does not need to be changed or recreated.

Mini-abdominoplasty versus a complete abdominoplasty

The mini-abdominoplasty surgery is less invasive. It has a minor incision and a faster healing process than the recovery time of the complete abdominoplasty surgery, and the abdomen heals faster. Besides, few patients can be good candidates for this procedure because, in this surgery, they remove excess tissue only in the area below the navel of the abdomen.

In contrast, complete abdominoplasty surgery removes more excess tissue from the middle and lower parts of the abdomen. Accordingly, there may be a more extended recovery period for people undergoing this surgery.

What are the complications of abdominoplasty?

Every invasive operation on the body has its side effects, but it can be minimised with a professional doctor and proper post-operative care. Side effects of anaesthetics that may occur to you after surgery, such as:

• Frequent coughs
• Decreased skin sensitivity in the abdominal area due to nerve damage
• Accumulation of fluids under the skin or seroma can be prevented by using extended tubes under the abdomen after surgery.
• Your stitches may be infected or have undesired scars if you do not comply with some cases.
• Adipose necrosis or depression of adipose tissue occurs due to damage to living adipose tissue.
• Hematoma or accumulation of blood under the skin means that blood runs outside the blood vessels due to injury.

Abdominoplasty Post-Operative Instruction

Your doctor personally advises you, but general post-operative care instructions include:

• Rest as much as possible.
• Follow all instructions on your wound care.
• Avoid strenuous exercise or weightlifting for at least a month.
• Report any bleeding, severe pain, or unusual symptoms to your doctor.
• Wear medical socks for seven to ten days to prevent deep vein thrombosis.
• Wear medical foundation garments on the surgical site for a few weeks.

What should be done before the Abdominoplasty surgery?

Follow these instructions to have better surgery and faster postoperative recovery:

• Try to stop smoking a few weeks before the surgery because smoking postpones the healing process.
• Reach your ideal weight as much as possible before undergoing the abdominoplasty surgery because losing more weight after the surgery undermines the final result, and you may need another surgery.
• Shave and wax your androgenic hair for three days to reduce the chance of infection.
• Run your postponed errands before the surgery.
• Try to finish your important tasks before the surgery because you have to rest for a few days and take care of yourself.
• Ensure that there will be someone to help you and take care of you at least two days after the surgery.

What should be done after the reconstructive surgery?

• The following facts and instructions should be considered after abdominal surgery:
• There may be a Dressing and drainage installed in the area before or after discharge from the hospital to remove excess fluid.
• Depending on the type of surgery you had, you can go home after 1-3 days.
• Your doctor may prescribe some painkillers for you during your recovery period.
• You are not allowed to lift heavy objects for the first six weeks after surgery.
• Some patients may recover quickly after the surgery and resume their daily activities, but others may experience physical weakness and come back to normal conditions much later.
• You should restrain from having sexual intercourse for three weeks after the surgery.
• The final results will be achieved gradually and over six months.
• It would be best if you had an arranged diet and exercise regularly to maintain the surgery results.

The risks and complications of Abdominoplasty

You must be an educated person to experience a smooth period of treatment. Accordingly, you will be aware of the procedure, the results, and, most importantly, the risks and side effects you may face. The risks and complications such as bleeding, pain, sores, swelling, reaction to anaesthesia, infection, seroma (accumulation of fluid under the skin), and hematoma (collection of blood) are possible for the Abdominoplasty surgery.

Significant complications such as seroma and hematoma after abdominoplasty surgery may occur in about 3% of patients. The other side effects, such as pain, swelling, and the like, are not permanent and will be decreased over time.

According to a study conducted on the level of the satisfaction of the abdominoplasty patients, 86% of patients were satisfied with their surgery and recommended it to their friends. Therefore, it has been proven that this surgery is a safe and desirable treatment for people who want to get rid of their unattractive appearance and big abdomen.

You are the only final decision-maker on whether this will increase your quality of life. And remember, being in good shape is one of the positive lifestyle factors that promote good health. So first reach the ideal weight and then, at your doctor’s discretion, remove the effects that obesity has on your body.