Abdominoplasty
Tummy tuck surgery is a common plastic surgery procedure, often performed in conjunction with liposuction. The original aim is to remove excess skin and fatty tissue below the belly button, but this rarely meets patient requirements today.
Remember – abdominoplasty is a difficult surgical procedure that can cause problems. Especially if the incision or scars are wrong. Dr. Scholz specializes in this procedure and can make excellent recommendations. This operation is performed several times a week.
The tummy tuck in detail
Designation
Abdominoplasty (synonym: abdominoplasty)
Description
Abdominoplasty
Operation
4-6 hours
Anesthesia
General anesthesia
Stay
At least 1 day inpatient
Costs
from 6900,-
Scars
Method according to Dr. Scholz barely visible after 1 year
Aftercare
Drainage at least 1 day, special girdle 6 – 8 weeks day and night. Repeated consultation until more than 1 year after surgery
Socially acceptable
after approx. 2 – 4 weeks of work, recovery 6 – 8 weeks
Sport & Leisure
No heavy lifting or sport for 4 – 8 weeks. Light exercises after 2 – 4 weeks. No sun on scars, normal movement possible, showering and bathing after approx. 5 days. Sport after approx. 2 months
Miscellaneous
A demanding operation to achieve excellent results
Contents
- Introduction
- Method by Dr. Scholz
- Prerequisites
- Procedure of the surgery
- Costs and prices
- Healing process
- Reasons
- Conclusion
Introduction
A surgical tummy tuck requires concentrated and lengthy pre-planning. It is not a “lapidary affair” and requires training and specialization on the part of the doctor.
Experience reports show that in Germany a horizontal incision is usually made somewhere halfway between the navel and the pubic bone. Sometimes, unfortunately, even in combination with a vertical incision (i.e. lying in the midline).
According to Dr. Scholz’s aesthetic understanding, this method is not the best. The risk of unsightly visible scars is latent. In addition, the patient’s goal is to have a flat stomach that is beautiful and not to have another problem.
Scars are unavoidable with this operation. However, there are intelligent modern methods and surgical techniques that show excellent results after 1 year.
Example of a scar after 9 months
The scars heal to a visually appealing result less than 1 year after the procedure.
Example of a scar after 2 years
Here a patient shows how the scars can look after 24 months – i.e. 2 years.
Dr. Scholz’s method
For abdominoplasty, Dr. Scholz uses an incision technique that is more commonly used in Brazil and the USA and has been reported to be very successful.
Experience with this procedure shows a significantly better contour of the upper and lower abdomen as well as the flanks (synonym: love handles).
Tummy tuck incisions
The incisions are made below the pubic bone beyond the base of the pubic hair. The incisions are then made laterally in the anatomical border between the torso and leg (in the predetermined skin fold) so that the scars all disappear clearly in the bikini line.
This method also has the advantage that many scars, e.g. after caesarean sections and appendectomies, are also removed.
Belly button
Often little thought is given to the belly button during tummy tuck surgery. However, this operation creates a new, beautiful belly button. Depending on your wishes, various designs or shapes can be considered.
For example, your new belly button can be oriented vertically or have a naturally created overhang at the upper end.
However, it is important to know that all these incisions are made deep in the navel so that they are as invisible as possible.
The typical circular scars around the belly button are often found outside the USA. This may be one reason why women or men perceive this as a mistake or a failure. Completely understandable, because these scars are absolutely unnecessary and avoidable.
The difference: plastic and functional surgery
A surgical tummy tuck is a very safe and, above all, effective method of reducing the size of the waist. As a patient, you will have a flat, toned abdomen with incredibly attractive results.
One of the great advantages of Dr. Scholz’s technique is that this operation not only removes soft tissue and reunites the abdominal muscles.
His complex technique also includes
Damage to the abdominal wall (rectus diastasis, abdominal wall hernias, etc.) is treated aesthetically and functionally
Therapeutic and prophylactic treatment of the functional unit “abdominal wall and abdominal wall”
Addressing weak points in the abdominal wall and abdominal muscles to restore them as a functional unit
The method creates a strengthened core that restores your original waistline and gives the entire torso a 3-dimensional aesthetic shape.
However, there are major differences in the execution of this aesthetic procedure. These are mainly:
Professional qualification
Intensity of care before – after
Time required for the operation
Functional and plastic restoration
These differences and the additional services we offer also determine the costs and prices. For you as a patient, this plastic surgery is therefore not easy to assess in terms of price.
The following comparison shows what Dr. Scholz believes is important to achieve a beautiful, attractive abdomen as an excellent result.
Excellent result
If you want a phenomenally attractive and outstanding long-term result, the following factors are essential
Experience in esthetic analysis.
Extensive planning and consultation.
Surgical expertise and creativity.
Greater effort and longer time in the operating theater.
Mediocrity
For an average result, the surgical effort is low under the following assumptions
The main task is simply to remove excess skin and fat.
An attempt is made in every case to achieve an improvement compared to before.
Reduction of a fat apron.
As a result of a truly beautiful tummy tuck, patients can see clear differences in their figure in a before and after comparison. The great medical and personal effort is only covered by an excellent tummy tuck and a high degree of aesthetic attractiveness is definitely gained.
Prerequisites for a tummy tuck
Women and men who have gained around 10 – 20 kg in weight and then lost it again generally meet the requirements for achieving an ideal before and after result and a slim figure with barely visible scars.
In women, weight fluctuations are often caused by pregnancy and in men by natural weight fluctuations in the course of life and dietary habits.
Fat apron – excess skin
When weight is lost, the skin and fat usually do not regress adequately, as the elastic recoil of the soft tissue no longer takes place sufficiently with increasing age.
For this reason, an excess of soft tissue remains, which cannot be overcome with any fitness or nutrition program.
In addition to this problem, weight gain or pregnancies have left damage or functional weaknesses in the abdominal wall (abdominal muscle with fascia). The abdominal wall and the abdominal wall form a functional unit.
This is one reason why simple liposuction is often not sufficient for an excellent tummy tuck.
Liposuction and tummy tuck recommendation
In order to achieve the best result, it is determined during the consultation and examination whether a pure abdominoplasty should be performed.
Alternatively, the three-dimensional shape of the abdominal wall can be perfected with the help of body contouring. Body contouring combines abdominoplasty with liposuction.
The flanks up to the lumbar spine (love handles) in particular are shaped using liposuction and lipostructure to achieve a harmonious and perfect result not only on the front, but also on the sides and back up to the spine.
These additional methods are extremely demanding and require a great deal of experience in this field. This type of three-dimensional modification of the entire torso area is performed by fewer than 15 experts worldwide.
How old for a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck is not recommended for women who are not yet fully developed, as their body and shape can still change.
At Signature Aesthetic, we only operate on patients who are over the age of 18 and in good general health. All patients, regardless of age, undergo a health assessment.
Pregnancy
After giving birth, breastfeeding and happiness, there is often a rude awakening when a woman realizes that her stomach is suddenly no longer as firm and flat as it was before.
As a woman, you don’t have to put up with this situation today. However, non-surgical alternatives such as creams, diet or exercise are rarely effective. It also depends on your personal predisposition.
After pregnancy, the aesthetic requirements for the shape of the torso and abdominal wall vary greatly from patient to patient. The specialist therefore needs to take a close look at the patient.
“Is it possible to get pregnant after a tummy tuck?” This or something similar could be the question if you have not yet been pregnant. It is advisable to tell your doctor about your desire to have children. So that the topic can be discussed in detail.
Procedure of the surgery
Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, is a comprehensive and difficult surgical procedure. The best results are usually achieved through many years of experience and specialization.
Dr. Thomas Scholz is an expert in this operation and uses modern methods for post-operative pain therapy and wound healing.
Preliminary discussion
A detailed initial consultation takes place in our private practice in the center of Munich. Here you will experience a discreet and personal approach in the smallest of circles. The utmost discretion is maintained.
Plastic surgery specialist Dr. Thomas Scholz looks forward to getting to know you personally. Our private practice provides a relaxed atmosphere where we take our time. Consultation and treatment are based on your circumstances and not on our interests.
Clinic
The procedure is performed centrally in Munich in an excellent and discreet private clinic on Stiglmaierplatz. Top trained medical staff combined with high-end operating theaters are the basis for the best results. You will be cared for immediately after the operation in a pleasant environment.
Surgery
The operation usually takes between 4 and 6 hours and is performed under general anesthesia.
For over 10 years, Dr. Scholz has been using a special pain management technique that makes the early healing phase much more comfortable.
The incisions for abdominoplasty are made deep down on the torso and in the navel and are closed with self-dissolving surgical sutures.
After the operation, you will receive individual and very personal care until it is ensured that you have tolerated the operation well.
You will then be monitored and cared for overnight in the private clinic.
The two drains, which are drained through the lateral incisions (no extra incisions are made!), will be removed the day after the operation at the earliest.
However, these drains usually remain in place for a longer period of time. This depends very much on how the operation progresses during and early after the operation. This varies greatly from patient to patient and there are different experience reports.
Aftercare
A high level of aftercare is crucial for the success of a major procedure such as a tummy tuck. After the operation, you will only have contact with qualified nursing staff in the clinic. When you leave, you will receive a full post-operative consultation, as well as a telephone number that you can call 24 hours a day if you have any questions.
Follow-up examinations are then carried out in the private practice of Dr. Thomas Scholz himself. We do everything we can to ensure that you as a patient make a quick and full recovery. We are there for you at all times. This gives you the security and peace of mind you need for an optimal healing process.
Costs – Prices
We will agree the fee with you personally according to your requirements and wishes. You will find that Dr. Scholz takes a lot of time for you as a patient during the entire treatment. The treatment concept and cost estimate are based on this.
The cost estimate is influenced by
Duration of inpatient stay
Patient requirements
With or without liposuction
Special requirements or indications
Today, offers and prices from abroad such as the Czech Republic, Poland and Turkey are an issue. However, you have clear advantages in Munich.
Specialist with control of the medical association
Follow-up care even after 1 year
Intensive support
Excellent clinical standards
Central location and connections
Legal certainty and German standards
24-hour emergency call / assistance
Financing
With the help of the cost estimate, you can arrange payment in installments or financing with a service provider. Talk to us personally about this.
In a few justified cases, the costs may be covered by health insurance, but this must be clarified beforehand on the basis of the medical indication. If the costs have not been confirmed by a health insurance company, you will have to bear the costs yourself.
Healing process
For many patients, it is very important to have an overview of the healing process. For Signature Aesthetics by Dr. Scholz, follow-up treatment and monitoring of the healing process is an important part of this plastic surgery procedure. You will receive a follow-up check 1 year after the procedure.
General
Wound healing is completed after approx. 1 year at the earliest and it is advisable not to go through this early phase of such a major operation too quickly.
As every patient is different, recovery times vary from patient to patient. However, we generally expect a full recovery and return to all normal activities around six to eight weeks after surgery. Most women return to work approximately 2 to 4 weeks after surgery.
Risks and side effects
In addition to the risk of anesthesia, which is present with every operation, other short-term risks include secondary bleeding or infections. These are extremely rare. However, we recommend repeated follow-up checks by the plastic surgeon for your safety.
Furthermore, there may be circulatory problems in the area of the surgical scar, which in the worst case could lead to the skin dying off. The navel itself can also be affected by circulatory disorders after the operation, which fortunately is only extremely rarely described as a complication and can occur.
Scars
There is no such thing as a tummy tuck without scars. That would be a tummy tuck without surgery, but the aesthetic results are not very convincing. Alternative methods are ineffective in almost all cases according to our observations.
Example after 1 year
Since the operation is not without scars, it is the surgeon’s ability and experience to apply new and intelligent techniques so that scars are barely visible after 1 year and incisions are correctly placed.
If you visit forums and social media groups today, you will notice that “scars too high” is a problem when women discuss this procedure. And indeed, you often see women or men with scars that are very high on the abdomen, as well as an unattractive navel.
In addition to the professional expertise of the plastic surgeon, it is also the very high time expenditure that makes abdominoplasty look better. This increased effort is due to the following factors:
Elaborate microsurgical methods for suturing.
Hiding and favorably placing scars through modern incisions.
Creating an attractive and aesthetic waist instead of a “cylindrical torso”.
Dr. Thomas Scholz will be happy to personally show you options that will not only help you look fantastic, but also feel that way.
Pain after abdominoplasty
The sensation of pain is a completely individual variable. While sensitive women complain of pain, insensitive women can cope with the pain more easily. The feeling of tension is also perceived differently.
However, as this is a major surgical procedure, post-operative pain and soreness must be controlled with medication.
Nowadays, there are a variety of very intelligent pain medications that allow a quick return to normal daily activities.
For very large abdominoplasties, we usually use a very new method for early post-operative pain treatment using a pain catheter. To the best of our knowledge, this unique therapy or procedure is only established at Signature Aesthetics.
Ultra-fine catheters are implanted during the operation in such a way that they do not visibly apply controlled pain therapy for five days after the operation. The patient does not have to be in hospital or in our clinic for this, which does not delay discharge home to their familiar surroundings.
Behavior after abdominoplasty
State-of-the-art surgical techniques lead to a quick and easy recovery. To support and protect the operated tissue, you will need to wear a special girdle day and night for 6 weeks.
The following behavior must be followed in any case: The surgical wound must not get wet in the first few days, so the full bath or shower should be replaced by a sponge bath.
Carrying weights and one-sided strain should be strictly avoided. Sunbathing should be avoided until the scar has completely healed. This can last a whole year or more. Continuous management and care of the scars is also beneficial afterwards.
Special precautions beyond the tips and recommendations listed here are not necessary.
After good healing, the abdominal wall is also restored as a functional unit and can therefore meet your requirements. There are no restrictions on physical activity or lifestyle that need to be observed in the long term after such an operation.
Sport – Leisure – Work
Due to the extensive wound area and long operation, you should avoid heavy exertion such as sport in the first month – apart from walks in the fresh air.
Sports such as tennis, jogging or horse riding should only be resumed after 6 weeks to 3 months. As rehabilitation can vary greatly from person to person, we have prepared regular follow-up checks for you. When sports and other activities can be resumed should always be discussed individually with the surgeon during these follow-up checks.
Reasons
Medical – Aesthetic
Sagging tissue in the abdominal area
Loss of the waist and the shape of the torso
Weak points in the abdominal wall
Excess fatty tissue, without the possibility of treatment by liposuction
Weight loss with overhanging skin and stretch marks
Abdominal wall hernias
Personal
A female or male aesthetic figure
A waist like when you were young
Athletic and sporty figure
Recovering your figure after pregnancy
Look perfect at work and at home
Wear fashionable clothes and swimwear
Safe and long-lasting results
There are no right or wrong reasons to undergo abdominoplasty. It is essential for every patient to consider the subject in detail and to get a clear idea of their own wishes and how necessary they feel they are.
Conclusion
As a serious and highly motivated doctor, it is important to Dr. Thomas Scholz that the patient understands that abdominoplasty is not a simple procedure. The plastic surgeon must aim for a perfect aesthetic result.
The price is an important factor for you as a patient. However, the aesthetic result is more important. Consider the overall effort and it must be perfect for you in the end.
The specialist who produces an excellent result must not only have specialist knowledge and experience, but also a much higher surgical outlay.
Further information
Liposuction
Dr. Scholz Munich
- Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgeon, University of California, USA
- German specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery
- Swiss specialist certification for plastic and aesthetic surgery
Picture credits © Christof Arnold
Reviews
Read our reviews on Jameda or here on our website and the internal quality management system
Current blog posts
