Tummy tuck Frankfurt: Finally a flat and firm stomach again!

Introduction

What is a tummy tuck?

During a tummy tuck (also known as abdominoplasty), excess fatty tissue and sagging skin on the abdomen is surgically removed and the underlying muscle and connective tissue is tightened in order to achieve an aesthetic, flat stomach area.

Excess skin and fatty tissue on the abdomen can occur after significant weight loss, for example, or if the skin no longer recovers completely after pregnancy. A tummy tuck in Frankfurt can also be useful to optimize the body contour in cases of age-related skin sagging or connective tissue weakness.

What are the reasons for a tummy tuck?

It is usually for aesthetic reasons that women and men come to our practice and enquire about a tummy tuck. Often, the skin on their abdomen has not completely regressed after pregnancy or significant weight loss, leaving excess skin and tissue hanging down like an apron.

This fold, often called a skin or fat apron, is sometimes so contrary to the aesthetic ideal of many people that their well-being and self-confidence suffer considerably as a result. In many cases, it even affects the social and/or sex life of those affected, for whom their sagging abdominal wall is a major psychological burden. Plastic surgery can often provide a remedy with a tummy tuck and help those affected to regain a harmonious, aesthetically pleasing abdominal contour.

However, there are also medical reasons or physical complaints for which a tummy tuck can be useful. Overlapping skin folds rub against each other, for example, which can lead to skin irritation in sensitive people. In addition, more sweat forms in the skin fold and the warm environment increases the risk of fungal infections, which can become chronic over time.

If there is also a weak point in the abdominal wall (rectus diastasis or midline hernia), further symptoms such as back or pelvic pain, pelvic floor weakness and in some cases even problems during childbirth can occur. However, not every rectus diastasis necessarily causes symptoms.

Last but not least, a particularly pronounced skin apron can also restrict physical mobility and make it difficult to choose clothing. These and similar problems can often be minimized or eliminated by a professional tummy tuck.

Methods

What types of tummy tuck are there?

In Frankfurt, Dr. Nichlos performs abdominoplasty either as a tightening of a specific area of the abdomen (partial tightening) or as a complete abdominoplasty.

Partial tightening

A distinction is made between the mini tummy tuck and extended mini tummy tuck as well as the upper abdominoplasty (reverse abdominoplasty).

If only the lower abdomen is tightened, this is known as a mini-abdominoplasty. Dr. Nichlos removes the excess skin on the lower abdomen, but does not need to correct the abdominal wall muscles or change the position of the navel. Therefore, an inconspicuous incision above the pubic area is sufficient, which only causes a small scar that usually heals quickly. The mini tummy tuck is ideal for athletic, slim people with slightly excess skin below the navel.

If a slightly larger area of skin is affected and/or the navel needs to be repositioned, we refer to this as an extended mini tightening. Depending on the individual treatment plan, Dr. Nichlos detaches the navel from the abdominal wall and repositions it. A slight muscle tightening may also be performed. This method is useful if a little more skin needs to be removed but a complete tightening is not yet necessary.

In a reverse abdominoplasty, the focus is on the upper abdominal area, i.e. above the navel. The specialist tightens the upper abdomen by pulling upwards, but no navel offset is required. An incision is made below the breast folds. The resulting scar is not visible at this point.

Complete abdominoplasty

Sometimes the skin in the abdominal area is so loose that a partial tummy tuck is not enough to achieve the desired effect. There are also different options for a full tummy tuck, which Dr. Nichlos uses depending on the desired result: Classic tummy tuck, fleur-de-lis tummy tuck and body lift.

Classic tummy tuck

In a classic tummy tuck, the entire front abdominal area is tightened and the belly button is usually repositioned. The incision is made horizontally over the pubic area so that excess skin and fatty tissue in the lower and middle abdomen can be removed. Depending on the extent of rectus diastasis, it may be advisable to stitch together the gap in the muscles. This strengthens the abdominal muscles and makes the abdomen look flatter and more even again. The classic tummy tuck is very suitable for optimizing the abdominal area after significant weight loss or pregnancy.

Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck

A special feature is the so-called fleur-de-lis tummy tuck. In addition to the horizontal incision above the pubic area, a vertical incision is made vertically across the middle of the abdomen, which gives the procedure its name, as the T-shaped incision design is reminiscent of a lily. This procedure is suitable for optimization after massive weight loss, such as occurs after gastric bypass surgery.

Bodylifting

When we combine a tummy tuck with a buttock lift, we refer to it as a body lift (circumferential abdominoplasty). This usually requires two sessions at our practice clinic in Frankfurt, with the tummy being tightened in the first and the buttocks in the second. A body lift is ideal for people with a lot of excess skin after significant weight loss.

Preparation

What happens before the tummy tuck?

Good preparation and planning is the basic prerequisite for an optimal result with a procedure such as a tummy tuck. The first step is the preliminary examination in our practice, which consists of a detailed medical history and a physical examination.

The subsequent consultation with Dr. Nichlos will focus on your wishes and goals and the treatment methods that are best suited to you. He will inform you of the results you can expect, explain the exact course of treatment, possible risks and complications as well as the healing process and explain what you should pay attention to before and after the procedure.

The costs will also be discussed during the consultation. As with all plastic and aesthetic surgery procedures, it is usually not possible to give a fixed amount, as each operation is very individual. However, following the consultation, you will receive an individual quote detailing all costs.

Procedure

How does the actual operation work?

At the Berger Clinic in Frankfurt, we always perform tummy tucks under general anesthesia. To begin with, Dr. Nichlos draws the incision on your skin, then the anaesthetic is induced. As soon as the anesthesia takes effect, the operation can begin.

Depending on the treatment method, the operation takes between 1.5 and 4 hours and may vary slightly. First, Dr. Nichlos precisely makes the necessary incision(s) and then carefully removes the skin and fatty tissue from the abdominal wall. If necessary, he tightens the abdominal muscles.

In the next step, the specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery (depending on the operation) moves the belly button to the optimal position. Before suturing, he will place drainage tubes to allow wound fluid to drain away and apply a compression bandage (also known as an abdominal belt). You will have to wear this for 2 to 6 weeks (depending on the extent of the operation).

The drains are removed after about 1-3 days. As we use self-dissolving stitches, our patients do not require stitches to be removed. You can positively support the healing process and the result by following our aftercare instructions.

Aftercare

What happens after the tummy tuck?

Allow yourself a few days to rest after the tummy tuck and give your body the opportunity to recover. Make sure you wear the recommended compression garments during this time. It helps initial swelling to subside more quickly and stabilizes the results of the operation. Immediately after the tummy tuck, you may experience temporary numbness in the abdomen, but this will disappear on its own.

You will usually be able to socialize again after about 1 week. However, depending on the extent of the procedure, it may take a different amount of time before you are able to exercise again. Until then, you should not lift or carry anything heavy and should not do any sport or exercise that strains the abdominal muscles.

The initially reddened scars will fade over time. To avoid hyperpigmentation, protect them from direct sunlight for the first 6 months and use good scar care products. We will be happy to advise you on this.

Be sure to attend the check-up appointments so that Dr. Nichlos can monitor the healing process and detect any complications at an early stage and – if necessary – take countermeasures. Of course, he will also be available to answer any questions you may have after the operation.

Risks

What risks and possible complications are associated with a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure and as such is associated with certain risks and possible complications. These primarily include general surgical risks such as post-operative bleeding, wound healing disorders and infections.

However, thanks to Dr. Nichlos’ extensive expertise and many years of experience and the professional execution of the procedure under the strictest hygiene standards, these risks can be reduced to a minimum.

Nevertheless, there may be temporary redness, swelling or sensory disturbances in the surgical area. However, these usually subside on their own during the healing process. In very rare cases, a bulging abdomen can develop as a complication. This is when the tightened abdomen bulges forward. There are various reasons for this, ranging from fluid accumulation to individual anatomical conditions.

Of course, Dr. Nichlos will inform you comprehensively about all possible risks and complications before the operation.

More on the topic of tummy tuck vs. mini tummy tuck

Read our article “Tummy tuck vs. mini tummy tuck” to find out which method is suitable in your case, how the procedures differ and how the procedure is organized in our practice in Frankfurt.