1 Full Abdominoplasty
2 Partial (mini) abdominoplasty
3 Extended abdominoplasty
4 High lateral tension abdominoplasty
5 Circumferential abdominoplasty
6 Includes combination of procedures. Abdominoplasty is not a treatment of overweight. Overweight people should lose certain amount of pounds before this operation. Abdominoplasty operations can be made in combination with body contour correction (mammoplasty operations, liposuction etc.) or some other operations (uterus, ovary operations, etc.).

Pre-Operative Interview

In the interview, primarily your present complaints and expectation after the operation are evaluated.
Afterwards, your general health status, fat amount and distribution in the abdomen, sagging and excess skin of abdomen and skin quality are considered.
During this examination; you are asked about the surgical operations and diseases you have had, your current health problems (diabetes, etc.), habits (smoking, alcohol, etc.) and medications you use (aspirin, tranquilizers etc.).
As a result of your expectations and examination findings, the type of abdominoplasty and whether it will be performed alone or in combination with liposuction or whether only liposuction operation will be performed are decided.

You will need somebody who helps you on the day of operation and for the following few days.

You should not stay under the sun for a long time in this period.  Catching a cold or any other infection may cause the operation to be delayed.

You should stop taking aspirin and its derivatives one week before the operation. (Do not stop taking the medication you permanently use without consulting your doctor).

It is recommended not to smoke for a while before and after the operation.

Do not put on any makeup, do not use hair gel, wear comfortable clothes and leave your jewels at home before coming to the hospital for operation.

Do not eat or drink anything 6 hours before the operation.

Be present at the hospital about one hour before the operation.

When you come to the room reserved for you, you may be given an oral drug if you want, it will relax you.

Operative Technique

Complete abdominoplasty
Incision is applied in an incision line running from one hip to another but can be hidden in bikini and swimsuit.
Excess skin and fat are removed by repairing loose muscles and facia in the lower, middle and upper abdominal walls.
Excess skin and fat layers are stretched downwards and removed.
Umbilicus is adapted to its new place.
Liposuction can be applied additionally to correct the contours.

Partial abdominoplasty (mini abdominoplasty)
a smaller incision is made between two pubis.
The loose muscles and facia in the lower abdominal wall are repaired and the excessiveness is eliminated.
Skin is stretched downwards and excess skin and fat are removed.
The umbilicus may not be replaced.
Liposuction is generally used to correct the transitional area.

Extended abdominoplasty
Incision is applied in an incision line running from one hip to another but can be hidden in bikini.
Includes complete abdominoplasty and upper thigh lifting operations.

High lateral tension abdominoplasty
Facia and muscles are tightened in conventional abdominoplasty.
In high lateral tension abdominoplasty, muscles are also tightened horizontally as well as vertically.
With this technique, you gain significantly firm abdomen, and looseness and excessiveness in the abdomen are removed.

Circumferential abdominoplasty
In addition to extended abdominoplasty, it includes hip lifting operation.
Incision completely surrounds the belly.
This procedure is very suitable for patients having a big weight loss.

Combined Procedures
Abdominoplasty is sometimes combined with liposuction shaping, breast reduction, and breast lift and uterus and ovary operations.
During operation, abdominal skin is made free from the underlying muscles from pubis to the level of ribs. If there is looseness or hernia in abdominal muscles, it is repaired, excess skin and fat layers are removed. After the operation is done, the wound is closed with aesthetic (subcutaneous) stitches and covered with dressing. A small, fine tube is temporarily placed under the skin in order to minimize the swelling after abdominoplasty operation.

Type of Anesthesia

General anesthesia is applied.

Duration of Operation

Complete abdominoplasty takes 2-4 hours depending on the size of operation,
Partial abdominoplasty takes 1-2 hours.

Recovery Period

Wound is dressed after the operation, a special abdominal corset is put on in order to minimize the swelling and to support the abdomen. In the first couple of days, the abdominal area may have swelling and pain and it is controlled by tranquilizers. Drains are removed about 1-3 days later. You stay in hospital for about 1-3 days. You can get back to your work within 2-4 weeks. The scar will look redish-pinkish for the first 3-6 months, it may take 9 months or 1 year for the scars to smoothen and fade. Your acceptable scar remains under your bikini.
“Abdominoplasty” operation is applied for thousands of people every year. After the first week, you’ll notice the new shape of your body gained by the operation and abdominoplasty generally improves your appearance and increases your self-confidence.

Cost of abdominoplasty operation

Like most of cosmetic surgery operations, the cost of abdominoplasty may generally change. The cost of this operation depends on the patient’s age, weight and health status, plastic surgeon’s education and the location and name of the hospital he works for.
Cost includes:
-Surgeon’s fee
-Hospital or surgical center expenses
-Anesthesia expense
-Medications
-Special clothes after operation
-Medical tests before and after operation