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Surgery

Operation is done under general anesthesia. The surgery will take 2-5 hours. Mini abdominoplasties will take shorter time than full abdominoplasties. On the other hand, full abdominoplasties will take less time than belt abdominoplasties.

At this point, the concepts of belt, full and mini tummy tuck procedures will be defined.

Surgical intervention in mini tummy tuck operations is limited to a smaller area. The belly button is preserved in the original or nearby area. There is no visible incision in the navel. The incision made is very short and settles in the cesarean region. This surgery is preferred in patients with minimal/moderate sagging, without muscle tear or umbilical hernia. Liposuction is almost always accompanied. The most important advantage is a very short operation time with fast recovery period,

A more effective intervention is provided in full abdominoplasty. Lower abdominal sagging skin is removed completely. Skin above the belly is shifted down, the belly button is repositioned. It provides an effective treatment for the removal of extensive strect marks of the anterior abdomen.

In mini abdominoplasty, tissue under the navel is removed. There is no need to create a new belly button. The upper abdomen is treated with liposuction. Return to daily routine is within days.

On the other hand, in people with severe sagging, seperation of the abdominal muscles, hernias or extensive strect marks, the operative choice will be full tummy tuck. In this way, effective intervention to the deformities of the the abdominal wall can be corrected. Unlike the mini abdominoplasty, the belly button is separated from its original position and lifted to it's right position in the abdomen. The incision used is longer than the mini tummy tuck surgery but can be hidden in underwear / bikini lines.

In belt abdominoplasty or belt lipectomy, incision extends circumferentially over the lower torso. Candidates are usually post-bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) patients who lose excessive weight . In this way, the severely sagging skin is removed completely.

Liposuction and repair of daistasis and hernia are commonly components ofthe surgery. I use the Brazilian-style tummy tuck technique (Saldanha technique) where liposuction and tummy stretching are used together as an operation technique. In this way, surgery is possible without pain, short recovery time, without using a drain or by draining for only 1 day and most importantly by providing smoother lines.

Abdominal corset will be worn before waking up at the end of the operation.

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