Abdominoplasty in Tunisia

Goal

Abdominoplasty is a surgical intervention that does not specifically aim to reduce body weight but rather:

• To remove the excess skin and fat below the belly button, which eliminates potential scars and stretch-marks in the lower abdominal area.
• To tighten abdominal wall muscles that are usually loosened by pregnancies and obesity.
• To treat hernias which occurs when an organ squeezes through a weak spot in a muscle or a tissue.

To define the waist by liposuction of the upper abdomen and the flanks.

Surgery

It is done under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia. It takes 2 to 3 hours and requires 3 nights of hospitalization.

The incision will be done in the inferior abdominal area, 6 to 7 cm above the vulva. If the loose skin extends laterally, we do an extended abdominoplasty. In all cases, the scar will be low and hidden by the underwear. Drains will put in place for 2 to 3 days.

Postoperative period

Postoperative pain is usually bearable as most patients a sensation of construction in the lower abdomen and a reduction in abdominal skin sensitivity which lasts few days and eventually vanishes afterwards.

A garment is worn from 4 to 6 weeks. Dressings should be done every other day for two weeks. The patient should sleep on her back on a little upright position (45 degrees) and put a pillow below her knees to avoid any stretching of the scars

Edema (swelling) and bruising resolve spontaneously within 2 weeks and residual scars are eventually permanent but become less obvious progressively. Complete maturation of the scars generally happens within a year and during that period, it is advisable not expose them  to the sun to avoid the risk of further complications and pigmentation.

Heavy weight and strenuous effort are forbidden for at least one month. The patient is advised to use silicone sheets and silicone gel on the scars for at least the first 3 months.

The results are seen from the second month. Final results will be noticeable within 4 to 6 months.

Duration of stay

The duration of stay for abdominoplasty or tummy tuck in Tunisia is usually 8 nights/9 days.

This time will allow your physician to provide you with an optimal follow up.

He will also see you at his office the day preceding your return back home.

The recovery period spent in Tunisia is usually quite beneficial and allows most of our patients to resume their professional activities as soon as they arrive home.

Risks

Patients must be informed for sure on all potential risks and complications in order to know what to expect. However, complications due to abdominoplasty are rare and usually respond quickly to specific treatments.

Haemorrhage (bleeding): a sudden increase in the arterial pressure right after the surgery which causes a noticeable bleeding of the previously closed small blood vessels. This bleeding stops spontaneously or with moderate external compression.