A tummy tuck, often also called abdominoplasty, abdominoplasty or abdominoplasty, is an aesthetic or plastic surgery procedure in which excess skin in the area of the abdominal wall or abdomen (so-called sagging abdomen) is removed by surgery.
A sagging abdomen, i.e. excess skin on the abdomen, often affects women after the birth of their child, where the stretched abdomen has not completely receded. The stretching of the abdomen caused by pregnancy not only expands the skin, but also causes the underlying layers of abdominal muscles and connective tissue to pull apart. This can also lead to a "pot belly" in slim women.
Excess fat and skin tissue can also be caused by severe weight loss followingobesity. However, for many patients, continued severe obesity can also be a reason for a tummy tuck. For overweight patients, however, the removal of excess fatty tissue(liposuction) is often a priority.
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The cost of a tummy tuck depends, among other things
among other things.
For minor procedures, this may only be 1000 euros, but for a major procedure, this operation can easily cost 5000 euros or more. Statutory health insurance companies do not generally cover the costs of a tummy tuck or liposuction, but only in rare exceptional cases if there is a serious medical reason for the procedure.
A corresponding application for cost coverage must be submitted to the health insurance company in good time before the tummy tuck operation begins, and appropriate reports must often also be submitted.
Depending on the extent of the procedure, type of anesthesia and personal wishes, the operation is performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis.
Specialists generally distinguish between two methods of abdominoplasty:
What both methods have in common is that after marking the incisions, the abdominal muscles are first exposed by lifting the skin and then the abdominal muscles, which have been returned to their original position, are sutured together. The excess tissue is removed and the skin is sutured.
In a classic tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), the doctors lift the skin from the lower ribcage to the pubic area, tightening the entire abdomen. The belly button must be relocated in the process. As this is a major procedure that takes around two to three hours and is performed under general anesthesia, the patient must be admitted to hospital. The scar usually runs inside the bikini line.
In contrast, the small tummy tuck (mini-abdominoplasty) can also be performed under outpatient conditions if necessary. However, patients are often admitted to hospital for one to two days and general anesthesia is required. In this approximately one-hour operation, which only requires a small abdominal incision, the skin is only tightened on the lower abdomen between the navel and pubic area. The navel does not usually need to be moved. With this method too, the scar usually runs inside the bikini line.
The abdominal wall should not be stretched the day after the operation and patients should take it easy for about two to three weeks after discharge from the clinic.
After about three days, a light exercise program can be started to reduce the risk of thrombosis and prevent swelling. The stitches can be removed after around two to three weeks.
Patients must wear special compression garments for around six weeks to promote the healing process. No sport is allowed during this time. Sunbathing and visits to the solarium should be avoided for over a year.
As with any surgery, abdominoplasty can lead to complications, including
Temporary, rarely permanent, sensory disturbances may occur due to severed cutaneous nerves.
There is also an increased risk of thrombosis and seroma. However, the risks can be reduced by taking appropriate precautions (e.g. administration of antibiotics, thrombosis prophylaxis) by the specialists at the tummy tuck clinic.
Caution is advised for patients with diabetes and coagulation disorders, as wound healing is delayed in these cases.
Specialists in abdominoplasty are usually specialists in aesthetic surgery and plastic surgery. They have completed appropriate further training and have extensive experience.
These specialists either work in private practice or at a clinic for aesthetic plastic surgery. Tummy tuck clinics are usually clinics for aesthetic plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery.
It is not possible to designate a clinic as the "best clinic" or "top clinic" for a tummy tuck. However, there are doctors and clinics that specialize in cosmetic surgery such as abdominoplasty and have extensive experience. You can find these tummy tuck experts in the Leading Medicine Guide.
Only selected highly qualified medical experts and specialists are presented in the Leading Medicine Guide. All listed doctors have a high level of professional expertise, have excellent experience in the field of tummy tuck surgery and fulfill the strict admission criteria of the Leading Medicine Guide.
The Leading Medicine Guide's quality assurance is ensured by the following acceptance prerequisites.
