Privatklinik für Schönheitschirurgie dr. Toncic

This problem is most commonly present among women after pregnancy and childbirth and among younger and middle aged men and women after massive weight loss.

Excess and loose abdominal skin cannot be treated or solved with physical exercise, working out or cosmetic treatments. In the majority of cases it cannot even be solved with liposuction, which is used for fat deposits removal.

The procedure that will efficiently get rid of excess skin and fatty tissue form stomach or abdominal area is called abdominoplasty, lipectomy or “tummy tuck”.

EXCESS SKIN AFTER MASSIVE WEIGHT LOSS

Modern life style exposes us to uncritical and irregular consumption of low quality food, especially fast food. It is, therefore, hard to meet the ideals of beauty that are constantly being enforced on us through media. Even if you win the battle against obesity, some permanent imperfections and flaws tend to remain permanently. In the majority of cases, it is excess skin left on different parts of body – face, chin, thighs and upper arms. This problem is most commonly present in stomach area, where the biggest quantity of excess skin is usually left, alongside with the fatty tissue. Such situation can significantly damage one’s image and overall appearance.

EXCESS SKIN AFTER PREGNANCY AND AFTER BIRTH

Similar problem is present among women after pregnancy and birth whose skin is not elastic and who have problems with excess skin which doesn’t seem to want to draw back sufficiently. This results in a certain amount of loose skin which aesthetically presents a significant problem.

NORMAL WEIGHT PEOPLE WITH EXCESS ABDOMINAL SKIN

Excess abdominal skin among normal weight people can be caused by genetic factor. Normally, the amount of skin is not too large, but it spoils the overall appearance.

HEALTH PROBLEMS

Excess skin and fatty tissue in stomach area can cause various medical problems. Persons with this problem often complain about back pain, and irritant dermatitis (skin inflammation) in the stomach area.

ABDOMINOPLASTY – PROCEDURE

Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure by which we remove excess skin, which presents a significant aesthetic and often a medical problem. This is a method by which we tighten the skin of the whole stomach wall.

In order to remove the optimal quantity of excess skin, prior to the surgery we take certain measurements and make a precise drawing marking the guidelines for the surgery.

To make the postoperative scar least noticeable, we place it in the bikini line. The scar is, therefore, covered with underwear after the recovery period. We sew the scar with precision and with the finest threads, following the aesthetic surgery principles.

Six months to one year after the surgery, in the majority of cases, the scar almost completely fades away.

If the patient’s abdominal wall is weak, we can additionally tighten and straighten the wall by special stitches.

In the hands of an experienced and skilled surgeon, from the technical point of view, this procedure is not too demanding, and it can be performed relatively quickly and very successfully.

Tummy tuck can be considered somewhat more demanding from the patient’s point of view, especially regarding the postoperative recovery, during which, the patient should be disciplined and strictly follow the surgeon’s instructions. Because of the incision position, it is essential for the patient to rest as much as possible in the first 7 to 10 days following the surgery, with special emphasis on the first three days.

We insist our patients are well examined, evaluated and prepared, in order to make the risk of the surgery and postoperative recovery minimal and to enable maximal safety and security for our patient.

With these conditions fulfilled, abdominoplasty is a very efficient procedure, resulting in high degree of patient’s satisfaction.

Abdominoplaty also comprises removal of a certain amount of abdominal fatty tissue, together with the excess skin removal. However, it is important to highlight that suitable patients for tummy tuck should be normal weigh persons. It is irrelevant whether the excess skin in the stomach area is due to physical constitution or massive weight loss.

We don’t recommend abdominoplasty to female patients who plan on having babies in the future, so the problem of excess, sagging stomach skin doesn’t repeat.

Several months after the surgery, when the most demanding phase of the recovery has passed, we can make certain additional procedures to improve details in order to achieve maximum effect. Such procedure is liposuction of stomach, waist or groin area, which can significantly improve the appearance.

It is imperative for the lab and medical preoperative tests to be in order. Such tests comprise internist examination with ECG, blood pressure, blood test and coagulation results.

MINI TUMMY TUCK

Besides standard tummy tuck, we also perform mini tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty at patients with excess skin in lower abdomen area, i.e. below belly button. This type of abdominoplasty is not as extensive as full abdominoplasty, and it naturally comprises easier recovery period.

Standard tummy tuck is a method used for complete abdominal skin tightening, including the skin above the belly button.

Dr.Toncic and his surgical team have been successfully performing abdominoplasty for more than 15 years, and from the ample experience, Dr Toncic claims tummy tuck is a very successful method for body sculpting. Thanks to all these facts, in our clinic we have a large number of satisfied patients after abdominoplasty.

USEFUL INSTRUCTIONS FOR OUR PATIENTS

Preparation for the surgery

Although tummy tuck is a routine operation for our surgical team headed by Dr Toncic, our professionalism makes us pay special attention to the preoperative preparation of our patient. It is highly important for us to have the patient’s blood test results and blood coagulation values prior to tummy tuck.

Prior to the operation – patient’s preparation:

Prior to the abdominoplasty, the patient goes through a routine preoperative analysis, which comprises the internal specialist examination with ECG and a blood test analysis, consultation and thorough examination in our clinic.

To minimize the risk of potential complications, we don’t recommend tummy tuck to older patients, diabetics, patients with higher blood pressure or those with heart conditions. It is optimal when the patients are younger or middle aged, in generally good health.

For smokers, it is imperative they make sure they stop smoking at least two weeks before the tummy tuck and two weeks after. We insist our patients follow the instruction, as it has major influence on the result of the tummy tuck surgery.

Before the operation, in our correspondence and detailed conversation, we instruct our patients to discontinue using painkillers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, containing acetylsalicylic acid like Aspirin, Andol or Acisal, in case they usually take these. This is very important factor in patient’s preparation for the tummy tuck surgery, as this way we prevent possible bleeding and hematoma during and after the procedure. Following this instruction makes the recovery quicker and more successful, and the result of the operation is improved.

Anaesthesia and the procedure:

Tummy tuck is performed under general anaesthesia given by a top anaesthesiologist, medical doctor. The patient is asleep during the operation and the whole procedure is painless.

The patient stays in the clinic between 1 – 3 days, depending on the extent and type of the abdominoplasty. Once discharged from the surgery the patient is sent to home care.

Postoperative period and recovery:

The final result of the abdominoplasty depends on the course of the operation, the experience of the surgeon and his team, precise and enhanced techniques, but to a significant extent, it also depends on conscientious and detailed postoperative monitoring and control.

To be sure of the success of the operation and wellbeing of the patient, Dr Toncic and his team insist on regular check ups and everyday contact with the patient. For our patients’ safety, successful recovery and postoperative monitoring, we recommend optimal length of stay in Zagreb. This way, we leave nothing to chance. We monitor our patient’s recovery completely, which is crucial for our patient’s health and the result of the operation.

Postoperative recovery after tummy tuck is individual, usually lasting around 14 days after the operation. The stitches are removed 14 days after the surgery, and our patients can resume their personal and professional activities, having in mind, though, to avoid harder physical activities for 30 days after the operation.

In order to have the least noticeable scar possible, it would be best to avoid exposure to sun in the period of six months up to a year after the operation.

Immediately after the surgery, the patient puts on special compressive clothes (various corsets/ braces) on the abdomen area. The elastic garment has big impact on the result of the tummy tuck, because it makes the skin stick to the tissue as close as possible, and the effect of the operation is thus enhanced. The elastic garments are worn for 6 to 8 weeks after the surgery. We provide the patients with specific garment, according to the type and size, prior to the surgery.

Required stay in Zagreb

Required stay in Zagreb is at least 14 days, so we can remove the stitches and monitor the early postoperative period completely. We indeed require that our patients stay in Zagreb for the required number of days after abdominoplasty, as this is the period that is of crucial importance for health of our patient and for the result of the operation. Having followed all the instructions, our patient can safely go home, without risking the possible postoperative complications.

Sick leave lasts at least 2 to 3 weeks for abdominoplasty. 14 days following the tummy tuck we remove the stitches from the incision, which is also an opportunity for the last check up. Two weeks after home care, the patients can resume their personal and professional activities. However, the patient should avoid hard physical activities and lifting heavy objects for a month after the operation.

Complete service – let us take care of everything

• Beside the operation, we can arrange travel and accommodation for our foreign patients. We are here to assist you in every step of the way. Therefore, we can book your flight, and private or hotel accommodation in Zagreb. Our driver will welcome you at Zagreb airport and take you to your accommodation.

• Key words for abdominoplasty:
• abdominoplasty, tummy tuck, tummy tightening, abdominal wall tightening, excess stomach skin, removal of excess abdominal skin, lipectomy, tummy after birth, excess abdominal fat, ...