A tummy tuck can be the solution for you to have a flatter and tighter stomach again. With a surgical procedure, our plastic surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen, and where necessary, the navel is also repositioned. Often this procedure is combined with liposuction of the flanks (sides of the waist). The result is a flat abdomen with a scar that may extend from hip to hip at the pubic mound, below the level of the underwear. The most severe form of tummy tuck also requires the surgeon to make a vertical incision, which means a scar will remain above the edge of your underwear.

If you have (almost) reached your ideal weight and you have realistic expectations about the effect of plastic surgery on your physical and mental well-being and:

• Your abdominal muscles and skin are stretched
• You’ve lost a lot of weight and now have a lot of excess skin
• You always have a lower abdomen that is visible with loose skin (an “apron”), even though you are otherwise in perfect shape
• You have been pregnant and lost weight, but you retain a ‘bulging’ belly directly from the rib arch downwards

Depending on how extensive the surgery is, you may need to stay in the hospital for 1-2 days. Usually, a drain is placed on both sides of your body to drain excess fluid. 

These drains are removed at the first follow-up appointment after one or two days at our clinic in The Hague.

Feedback from our patients tells us that the pain is very well tolerated. Of course, the area is sensitive after surgery and you will probably experience some pulling pain. 

You will notice that this makes you walk with a bit of a hunch during the first few days. With painkillers, we can alleviate the pain.

To ensure that there is no extra pressure on the treated areas, which can lead to more pain, it is essential – as far as possible – to avoid coughing and sneezing in the first week after surgery.

For best results, you must wear a supportive compression suit for 6 weeks, 24 hours a day. After 8 weeks, you will no longer need it. 

The treated area will be red and swollen after surgery and there are often bruises. Most people can resume normal work after 2 weeks, so consulting your surgeon will be the best choice. 

It takes 6 weeks before you can resume heavy, demanding work.

You will receive a document with our patient information before your surgery. Of course, the surgeon will also give you personal advice based on the extent of the tummy tuck and your general state of health. Below is a brief summary of the patient information. It is essential to take this into account for the best result.

Before surgery:

• Stop smoking four weeks before surgery
• If you are taking medications such as Marcoumar, Sintrom/Sintrommitis or Asprocardio. If so, consult the surgeon about possibly stopping and retaking these medications. This also applies when using Aspirin or painkillers with aspirin, such as Advil, Diclofenac, and others.
• Do not use thinning blood medications before surgery.
• Remember to arrange transportation home, even if you stay overnight. Driving yourself after surgery is not allowed.
• Arrange in advance for someone to help you at home for the first few days.

The day of surgery:

• Take a shower or a bath. You should not shower for up to 72 hours after surgery
• Do not use body lotion or cream
• Wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothing
• Don’t forget to bring your compression set and abdominal belt, if you have bought them yourself somewhere. If you buy these at our clinic, we will bring them for you
• Do not wear jewelry, watches or piercings
• Make sure you are well rested and on time

After the procedure:

• Make sure you are not home alone for the first few days.
• Rest and sleep on your back, ask our medical team for advice when you can sleep on your side or stomach again.
• Keep the circulation going well by walking around every hour. This promotes the healing of the wound.
• You cannot shower until 10 days after the tummy tuck, ask the surgeon or healthcare team for advice.
• During the first three weeks after the tummy tuck, make sure that you don’t put any pressure on the abdomen, i.e. don’t push or lift anything or bend.
• Working is possible after about a week and a half, but only with moderate to light physical activity.
• Resuming sports is generally possible six weeks after surgery, in consultation with the surgeon.
• Initially, you cannot drive yourself (car, motorcycle, etc.)

Like all surgeries, a tummy tuck involves risks and possible complications. These include:

Bleeding (hematoma)

Bleeding sometimes occurs after surgery from the tissue in the wound cavity. Should this happen, your body may feel swollen and painful. We may apply special massages to help the wound fluid absorb more quickly. In a few cases, it may be necessary to perform an additional procedure, which must be done in the hospital or clinic.

Infection 

It is important to recognize that surgery carries a risk of bacterial infection. Such an infection may be accompanied by fatigue, weakness, fever and muscle pain. Administering antibiotics during your surgery minimizes this risk. It is very rare for a patient to need to be readmitted. If you experience symptoms of infection, please contact our medical team outside of office hours or call the dedicated phone number available 24/7.

Wound Healing

How a wound heals varies from person to person and even from one part of the body to another and is a gradual process. Smoking before and after surgery can seriously impede the healing process.

Location and variability of the scar

All surgeries leave a permanent scar, and patients should be aware that the rate at which their scars heal and fade varies from person to person.

Our plastic surgeons place great importance on beautiful scars. They take personal pride in suturing in such a way that scars are virtually invisible every time.

Sometimes a scar does not heal in the normal way, this is known as hypertrophic scars. Scars may then be red or colored, thick and painful, and may take several years to heal. Although this is an uncommon problem, it cannot be avoided or diagnosed in advance.

After 4-6 months, you will have a good idea of the result: a tighter, flatter abdomen. Of course, this is different for everyone, depending on the starting situation, the condition of the skin, and your body’s recovery capacity. The result is permanent, provided you maintain weight and a healthy lifestyle. The scar is still red and swollen initially, but it flattens and fades with time and falls under the edge of your underwear. You should expect to have a faded scar after about a year. We have several options in our clinic for optimal scarring to aid recovery.