One of the best ways to tell if someone has had a tummy tuck is to look for a scar that runs from under their belly button to their pubic bone, sometimes called an “abdominoplasty” or “tummy tuck.” The scar will be very straight and neat, with no puckering or irregularities.
Another way to tell if someone has had a tummy tuck is if they are wearing clothes that don’t fit quite right on their lower body. If the clothes are too tight around the waist and hips, but baggy everywhere else, especially in the back, this can be a sign that the person has had liposuction done around their lower back. Another clue is if they have unusually narrow hips or thighs compared to the rest of their body. This could mean that they have had liposuction done on those areas.
Read on to learn more on How Can You Tell If Someone Has Had A Tummy Tuck Warning Signs After Tummy Tuck How Dangerous Is A Tummy Tuck
How Can You Tell If Someone Has Had A Tummy Tuck
The Secret Tummy Tuck
Want a smoother, flatter belly but don’t want your friends to know you’ve had a tummy tuck? Lucky for you, it can be done. There are two simple keys to achieving a “secret” tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty.
- Get the operation during the cooler months, preferably fall.
- Choose a plastic surgeon who knows how to hide the telltale signs.
By following these steps, you can hide out under a sweater during your recovery and then emerge like a butterfly in the spring with no scar to be seen. Following is more detailed information on how your plastic surgeon can help you achieve a secret tummy tuck you can be proud of.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Can Take a While
I wish I could tell you all that you can have the operation, then wake up the next day and look great, but I’d be lying. The truth is that it takes about 3 months for most of the healing to take place. Most patients are looking and feeling much better by 3-6 weeks, but there is clearly some swelling that needs to abate and there is no medical therapy that will speed the process. Tincture of time is the only medicine that will help. So, if you want your tummy tuck to be a secret, the most important advice I can give is to have the procedure during the cooler months when you can cover up – and nobody will notice!
The Telltale Signs of a Tummy Tuck
As a New York City plastic surgeon, I see many patients who have had cosmetic surgery work done by other surgeons, both from outside the New York metro area and outside the country. Three problems I often encounter are:
- Absurdly high tummy tuck scars that are visible in a swimsuit.
- Upside down “T” shaped scars that extend upwards in the center.
- Obvious Belly Button scar that looks artificial.
High Tummy Tuck Scar with Unnatural Belly Button
Unfortunately, even when I can fix these poorly executed procedures, the patients often need the equivalent of a completely new tummy tuck. That means double the discomfort, healing time and expense, all of which could have been avoided by going to a respectable, board-certified plastic surgeon in the first place.
The Secret to a “Secret” Tummy Tuck
While no surgeon can promise a patient that their tummy tuck scar will heal nicely—that depends on a number of factors—I can and do make sure that the scar ends up hidden under a bathing suit of their choosing. I accomplish this in a few different ways.
First, before the surgery, I have my patients don the garment they want to wear after the tummy tuck and I mark the outline of this garment in red ink. I then plan out the abdominoplasty and mark all of my incisions within that boundary. This ensures that when the procedure is done, the patient will be able to wear at least one bathing suit to the beach or pool next time she ventures out.
Next, I make sure my initial incision lies about 2 1⁄2 to 3 inches above the upper portion of the external labia on stretched skin. That is typically below 95 percent of the Cesarean section scars I come across and means that the C-section scar can be removed and replaced by the tummy tuck scar. This low scar makes the final result much less obvious to onlookers. You can view many more examples of tummy tuck photos here.
Fine-Tuning the Belly Button
Browse any fashion magazine or Victoria’s Secret catalog and you will notice that belly buttons follow one fairly common theme: They all have a little hood above and a groove leading upward.
During the final stages of a tummy tuck, I strive to mimic this look by using a variety of techniques, some of which I have developed myself. The result is a rather small umbilical scar that is hidden beneath the belly button hood. If the initial result isn’t perfect, I may adjust it at the three-month mark at no extra charge. Patients don’t mind this extra procedure as there is no significant discomfort, since the procedure involves skin only.
Not all plastic surgeons devote so much time and attention to these final steps. However, during surgery I often spend 20 to 30 minutes on the belly button alone, both for the client’s sake and because the belly button is the only part of my operation that the public is likely to see. That makes it worth the time to get it right and make it look natural.
Interestingly, this process has actually spawned a whole new area of expertise for me—belly button repair, or umbilicoplasty. Many people are unhappy with the appearance of their belly button, even those who haven’t had a tummy tuck. Some of them have found my photographs online and come in asking me to cosmetically improve the look of their belly buttons, too.
This patient wanted her belly button to look better but specifically did NOT want to have a Tummy Tuck
These patients invariably leave very satisfied with my umbilicoplasty procedure. It is performed under local anesthesia in the privacy of my office and they have very little discomfort afterwards.
How Dangerous Is A Tummy Tuck
There are risks associated with a tummy tuck procedure, these can include infection, seroma, blood clots and Haematoma.
There is an element of risk in any operation, but when performed by a highly qualified and experienced cosmetic surgeon these risks are minimised.
Complications associated with the tummy tuck operation include:
- Mild infection – this is relatively common, but usually clears up within a fortnight of the procedure
- Haematoma – this is essentially a severe bruise – a collection of blood under the skin in response to bleeding. Surgical drainage may be required
- Seroma – a collection of plasma under the skin, causing swelling in the lower abdomen. This is treated by wearing a compression garment, or drainage in more extreme cases. Mr Karidis uses internal quilting sutures, which drastically reduce the likelihood of developing seroma
- Blood clots – these are very rare and Mr Karidis stipulates that patients wear TED stockings before the operation in order to reduce risk.
The procedure generally results in some discomfort, particularly during the first week as the body recovers. We provide a pressure garment and pain relief medication after the operation to reduce this.
WHAT IS A TUMMY TUCK?
Abdominoplasty – commonly known as a ‘tummy tuck’ – is a procedure which tightens the abdominal muscles, reducing excess skin and fatty tissue from the middle and lower abdomen.
A tummy tuck is designed to reduce a drooping or protruding abdomen, resulting in a firm, flat stomach. For this reason, you can sometimes achieve more significant results by combining the tummy tuck with liposuction.
WHAT DOES THE TUMMY TUCK OPERATION INVOLVE?
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia. A long incision is made from hip to hip, beneath the bikini line if possible. An incision is made around the umbilicus (tummy button) to free it from surrounding tissues. Skin and fat is then peeled off the abdominal wall up to the lower rib cage.
The exposed muscles are stitched together in order to create a narrow waist, increasing the firmness of the abdominal wall. Any extra tissue is removed and drainage tubes are placed under the skin to collect any extra fluid that may accumulate. A new hole is made for the umbilicus and the flap of skin is reattached to the initial incision.
Due to the fact that abdominoplasties require general anaesthetic, an overnight stay at the clinic is necessary. After the operation you’re put on a drip to provide fluids and antibiotics. A compression garment is worn to reduce swelling and bleeding.
Drainage tubes are usually removed within 48 hours of the operation. Mr Karidis uses absorbable sutures, so there is no need for any stitch removal.
IS GENERAL ANAESTHESIA DANGEROUS?
General anaesthetics, when correctly administered, are largely safe and represent much less of a risk than the operation itself. However, general anaesthesia is associated with a variety of side effects as well as a few rare but serious complications.
Common side effects of general anaesthetic include:
- Nausea, dizziness and vomiting
- Shivering
- Confusion and memory loss
- Bladder problems
- A sore throat or mouth (from the breathing tube)
Serious complications of general anaesthetics include:
- Anaphylaxis (an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic)
- Waking up during an operation
- Death (1 in 100,000 operations)
It is extremely rare that such severe complications result from cosmetic surgery procedures, however – they normally occur as a result of emergency surgery, when the risks associated with general anaesthesia are exacerbated by trauma.
You will meet your anaesthetist before the operation to discuss your medical history, lifestyle and any other factors (such as allergies) in order to minimise such risks.
Warning Signs After Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, as well as tightens the muscles. Tummy tucks are performed to improve the appearance of the abdomen, as well as remove stretch marks or loose skin.
Tummy tuck surgery is generally safe, but there are some complications you should be aware of before your surgery.
Warning signs after a tummy tuck
It’s important to know what to expect after a tummy tuck so you can recognize any potential complications. Here are some warning signs that may indicate an infection or other problem:
Warmth, redness or swelling around the surgical site
Pain at the surgical site that doesn’t go away with pain medication
A fever (above 100 degrees Fahrenheit)
After a tummy tuck, you can expect some pain, swelling and bruising. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately:
Swelling that lasts longer than two weeks.
Pain that persists for more than two weeks.
Bleeding from the incision site that continues after a few dressings changes.
Infection at the incision site (redness, warmth, swelling).
A tummy tuck is a major operation, and you should expect some pain and swelling.
The most common side effects are:
o Stitches that break or come undone.
o Bleeding under the skin (haematoma).
o Infection.
o Wound breakdown (dehiscence).
The following are more serious complications that may require further medical attention:
o Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – a blood clot in the leg veins, which can break off and travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolism). DVT is more likely after a long flight with little movement, but it can happen at any time after surgery. It’s important to move around as soon as possible after surgery to prevent DVT. If you develop symptoms of DVT (swollen leg, pain in leg), contact your surgeon immediately for advice.