A consultation with Dr. Diacakis plastic surgeon in Paris is necessary.
Abdominoplasty can be covered by social security in the case of “abdominal apron covering the pubis” after obtaining a prior agreement.
A preoperative check-up will be prescribed as well as a panty type restraint, from the ankles to under the breasts, to be worn for 4 to 6 weeks.
A consultation with the anaesthetist is obligatory and must take place at least 48 hours before the operation. You will be asked to wash your body and hair with betadine the day before and the morning of the operation.
You will have to fast (without drinking, eating or smoking) 6 hours before the operation.
Any medication containing aspirin must be banned 2 weeks before the operation.
It is essential to stop smoking one month before and one month after the operation as there is a risk of creating skin suffering (localised necrosis).
Stopping oral contraception can be requested 1 month before in case of associated risk factors (obesity, coagulation disorder, diabetes, poor venous condition) in order to reduce the risk of thromboembolism.

If you cannot be covered by social security, no sick leave can be prescribed, so it is important to plan a rest period of 15 to 20 days after the operation.

On the morning of the operation, Dr Richard Diacakis, a plastic surgeon in Paris, makes drawings that will serve as reference points during the operation. These drawings mark the areas of liposuction (belly, hips) and the part of the damaged belly to be removed. Photos are systematically taken.
General anaesthesia is the rule.
First of all, Dr. Richard Diacakis systematically performs liposuction of the belly and hips.
Then, a skin incision is made in the pubis (under the bikini line) to allow the skin to be lifted and re-tensioned. Excess damaged skin is removed.

Depending on the height of the skin to be removed or on the amount of damaged skin on the belly, two types of abdominal plasty can be distinguished:

• The complete abdominal plasty, removing the skin from the pubis to above the navel and therefore requiring a “transposition of the navel”. This means repositioning the navel on the taut, undamaged skin.
• And mini tummy tuck or localised tummy tuck where only part of the skin between the pubis and below the navel is removed without having to move the navel.

The scar is placed in the fold at the junction of the abdomen and the pubis, its length will depend on the amount of skin removed.
Dr. Richard Diacakis systematically performs a diastasis cure, that is to say a re-tensioning of the abdominal muscles in order to recreate an abdominal muscular belt which is always altered in the indication of a tummy tuck.
Similarly, if there is an umbilical hernia or white line hernia it will be corrected at the same time.
The operating time for a tummy tuck operation with Dr Richard Diacakis is 2h30 to 3h30 depending on the amount of work to be done.
A compression bandage will be applied in the operating theatre as well as the compression sheath.
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty operation requires a 24 to 48 hour hospitalisation.

The pain is of the “big aches and pains” type, painkillers are prescribed.
Doctor Richard Diacakis, a plastic surgeon in Paris, systematically puts in drains which will be removed at the latest at 48 hours in order to minimise the risk of haematoma and to accelerate the recovery of skin suppleness.

To limit the risk of phlebitis, Dr Richard Diacakis will prescribe a subcutaneous anticoagulant and will also encourage you to get up and walk the day after your operation.
It is necessary to plan a rest of 10 to 20 days depending on the person and their activities.
It is strongly recommended that someone accompanies you home when you leave the hospital.
The bruises, which are common, will disappear in two to three weeks. Skin sensitivity problems regress within a few weeks.
A compression bandage called a panty or girdle is worn over the treated areas. The aim is to reduce oedemas and allow the skin to return to its normal position in the best possible conditions. It will be worn classically for 10 to 15 days, day and night, and then only during the day until 4 to 6 weeks after the operation.
It may be possible to resume a sporting activity after 6 weeks.
In case of pain in a calf, there is a risk of phlebitis which requires contact with the anaesthetist or surgeon.
The stitches are absorbable.  Several check-ups are to be scheduled with Doctor Richard Diacakis at D 8, D 15, D 1 month, D 2/ 3 months, D 6 months, D 1 year and every year.

Any surgical operation involves risks of complications.

As soon as the bandage is removed, usually on the 2nd day, you can see that your belly is tight and that the damaged skin has disappeared.
From the 15th day you can resume an active life.
From one month onwards the result is estimated at 40/50% and already gives a real result with deepening hips and an almost flat belly.
Between 3 and 6 months the estimated result is 80%.
At 1 year the result is considered definitive.
The final appearance of the scars is obtained after 12 to 18 months.
In some cases, it is necessary to wait more than a year for all the small sensations such as the complete sensitivity of the skin, tightness, tingling or other, to disappear completely. In general, these “sensations” do not interfere with your daily life.

It is preferable not to get pregnant and to avoid weight gain during the first year so as not to damage the aesthetic result.