Theatre team in scrubs at Centuria Medical Makati

Body

Abdominoplasty

Tummy tuck

Abdominoplasty removes excess abdominal skin and tightens the abdominal wall. It is done under general anesthesia and is sometimes combined with liposuction of surrounding areas such as the tummy, flanks and bra line to give a superior result.

A drain is placed and removed after 24-48 hours. Expect bruising for 2 weeks and swelling up to 4 weeks. You will be asked to wear a special garment to compress the tummy for 1-2 months. Stitches are removed on the 14th day.

After a tummy tuck procedure in The Surgery Center, you will stay overnight (or two) in the Executive Recovery Suites. You will be assisted by your special nurse who will keep you company and be monitored for 12 hours. A responsible adult is expected to stay with you until discharge and even for your next 7 days at home.

If you are overweight, or your Body Mass Index (BMI) is over 30, you should try to lose weight first. This is necessary for your health and safety, and prevents chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease which may complicate the procedure and its recovery.

Recovery

First 24-48 hours Overnight stay in the Executive Recovery Suites. Drain removed after 24-48 hours.
Week 2 Bruising expected through this period. Stitches removed on the 14th day.
Week 4 Swelling can persist up to 4 weeks.
Months 1-2 Special compression garment worn for 1-2 months.
Weeks 4-6 Complete recovery on average, though it varies by patient and by the type of tummy tuck performed.

Aftercare

A thick gauze or maxi pad placed near the drain or between the binder and hip bone makes recovery more comfortable
Compression shorts help keep the binder in place
Staying bent at the waist adds comfort in the first few days
A responsible adult should stay with you until discharge and for the following 7 days