Scars after a tummy tuck

For Miranda, the decision to have an abdominoplasty was not made overnight. She received a lot of support from fellow patients online and is incredibly happy that she went ahead with the surgery. Did you hesitate for a long time about your treatment? “It took me a very long time to take the step to see my GP to get a referral. Eventually, that moment came, almost 5 years after losing 40 kilos (on my own). I come from a family where the motto is: 'You are good just the way you are!' This motto and the voice of my mother in my head: 'You don't cut into a healthy body' haunted me for a long time. But after years of being unhappy with how I look, covering things up and concealing them, I finally took the plunge and chose myself!‘ How did you end up at the Jan van Goyen Aesthetic Center? ’Incidentally, my GP understood IMMEDIATELY why I wanted to have it done. When I received the referral from him, I made an appointment at the OLVG. At the OLVG, I met Dr. Van Selms, the doctor who performed my surgery. He said immediately that I would not be eligible for reimbursement from health insurance. He referred me to the Jan van Goyen clinic, where he also performs surgeries.‘ Was the first consultation what you had expected? ’I was very emotional during the first consultation. This was no problem for Dr. Van Selms. He put me at ease and was clear and straightforward. I had expected the most intense package imaginable: a fleur-de-lis, including liposuction and muscle tightening. In the end, it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. It was going to be a 'normal' abdominoplasty, without much fuss. What do you look for before making a choice? ”When making the decision to have the surgery at the Jan van Goyen Aesthetic Center, I focused entirely on my gut feeling. Dr. Van Selms is a very calm man with a friendly demeanor. I also find him genuinely funny. He always laughs. A man who clearly enjoys what he does.“ How did you prepare yourself for the treatment? ”I had plenty of time to prepare myself. The consultation was scheduled for February. The surgery was ultimately performed on July 15.“ For my family and work, it was convenient to have the surgery in the summer. I joined a private Facebook group called 'Tummy Wall Correction'. I have received a lot of support from this group. During the preliminary stages, it was mainly a matter of reading along. I was curious about the answers to the questions: What can I expect? And how do these people approach it? In the spirit of 'better safe than sorry', I was thoroughly prepared for what lay ahead. I purchased a compression garment and a nursing pillow. I made sure I had nutritional supplements, drops, and special diuretic tea at home. You name it, I had thought of it! Exercising was also an important part of my preparation. Under the guidance of a personal trainer, I strengthened my body and improved my fitness. I wanted to go into the surgery fit at all costs.‘ Was the surgery better or worse than expected? ’Looking back on the whole process, I can't really say whether it was better or worse than expected. There are facets to the recovery that I could not have imagined beforehand. For example, the mental and emotional process. Incidentally, the pain wasn't as bad as I expected. By day three, I was no longer taking paracetamol for the wound pain, but for the back pain due to not being able to stand upright. The first few nights were mainly sleepless. I received something for that from the GP. After a week, things got better.“ ”How do you look back on it now?“ ‘And now, a few weeks after my abdominoplasty. I don't know if I can fully put it into words, but one thing is certain. Dr. Van Selms has given me my life back. My partner and I have grown closer through the process both before and after the surgery. And finally, I feel like myself! And that's not even mentioning the compliments I'm receiving from those around me. People think it's brave, they want to know where I had the procedure done. But above all, they are very happy for me! So if you still have any doubts: DO IT! I couldn't have given myself a greater gift!’ My partner and I have grown closer through the process both before and after the surgery. And finally, I feel like myself! And that’s not even mentioning the compliments I’m receiving from those around me. People think it’s brave and want to know where I had the procedure done. But above all, they are very happy for me! So if you still have any doubts: DO IT! I couldn’t have given myself a greater gift!”

After a bypass operation, Lianne Baaij lost no less than 45 kilos. Although she was happy with the weight loss, she was left with excess skin. She decided to contact Esthetisch Centrum Jan van Goyen to discuss the possibilities for an abdominoplasty. "When I used to walk past shop windows, I saw my stomach first and only then myself. I found that so upsetting. It made me unhappy and I thought: I don't want this anymore," Lianne explains. Quickly found an appointment "An acquaintance told me good things about plastic surgeon Dr. Roossink. He advised me to schedule an appointment with her for a no-obligation consultation. I followed his advice and was already sitting in Dr. Roossink's consulting room a week later. After she had patiently listened to my story and examined my stomach, she told me immediately that she could make something very beautiful out of it. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait long either. I was able to be operated on by her within two months and was even allowed to choose the date." The operation In October 2023, Lianne underwent the operation. She looked forward to getting rid of the excess skin, but dreaded the period after the surgery. "That was understandable, because I was in quite a bit of pain after the operation. Fortunately, the nurses at Jan van Goyen were incredibly kind. In the evening, a nurse even sat with me for half an hour to chat. That was a good distraction. The morning after the operation, I was picked up by my husband at 7:00 AM. Because we have six children, we had arranged things at home so that I would be taken care of. After all, I couldn't and wasn't allowed to do anything for the first while." No regrets In the weeks that followed, Lianne still struggled with pain and discomfort. Yet she has no regrets about the surgery. "It was certainly worth the effort. Even when I was feeling down at times, I never thought I wouldn't do it again. After all, I am overjoyed with the result. For a while now, I have felt like my old self again and I feel much more comfortable in my own skin." Compliments “In the shop where I work, I get a lot of compliments. People I’ve known for years look at me and say: what happened to you? They all think it looks beautiful. I don’t have to go to specialized plus-size shops anymore, but can go to the same clothing stores as my daughter. And when I walk past the shop windows now, I think: wow, my belly is gone. That makes me really happy!” Lianne was operated on by Dr. Paula Roossink. Are you also considering an abdominoplasty? You are not alone. Every day, our plastic surgeons speak with men and women who are considering an abdominoplasty. At Esthetisch Centrum Jan van Goyen, this is a common procedure, and our doctors provide you with honest, transparent advice regarding it. Are you considering an abdominoplasty? Then book a no-obligation consultation or first view more abdominoplasty before and after photos here. Read more about this procedure. Book an appointment online here for a no-obligation consultation with one of our specialists. Would you prefer to make an appointment by phone? That is, of course, also possible. We can be reached at 020 – 3055 847 and are happy to assist you. Why choose Esthetisch Centrum Jan van Goyen? Short waiting times No-obligation consultation with comprehensive advice Personalized treatment plan based on your wishes We are a 100% subsidiary of OLVG Clients rate us an average of 9.0 on Kliniekervaringen.nl Our plastic surgeons are affiliated with NVPC and NVEPC

After significant weight loss, Jessica decided to undergo an abdominoplasty. "I was super happy that I had been at a stable weight for years, but I was really bothered by the excess skin on my stomach. When I realized that an abdominoplasty could remove this, I didn't have to think twice." Jessica underwent surgery in October 2022, and in this article, she shares her tips from her perspective as a patient. Please keep in mind that these are not tips from a medical specialist, but that Jessica wrote this article herself. Before the surgery: "I used the months leading up to the surgery to prepare thoroughly. I had been at a stable weight for several years, but I wanted to be sure that I had done everything possible to achieve an optimal result. Under the motto of 'the more excess skin I have now, the more they can remove,' I decided to do a lot of cardio and pay close attention to my diet. The consultant also indicated that recovery after the surgery would go more smoothly if I was in top condition, so this motivated me as well." "After all, your body takes quite a hit, and it is simply absorbed better if you are in good health before the surgery." 1. Eat healthily "Healthy eating has always been important to me for maintaining my weight, but I really made it a priority now to eat as healthy and unprocessed as possible. I chose plenty of vegetables and fruit, and also paid attention to my protein intake. Both before and after the surgery, I also chose products high in zinc (such as chickpeas and pumpkin seeds) and foods rich in antioxidants (such as berries, nuts, and green tea). There is a lot to be found online about foods that promote recovery, so my advice is to definitely look into this." 2. Stop smoking at least 6 weeks before the surgery "I didn't smoke myself anyway, but I received the tip from the consultant to always quit smoking before surgery." 3. Avoid alcohol "I hardly ever drink alcohol either, but I do enjoy a glass of wine every now and then." "I decided to completely avoid alcohol several months in advance, keeping in mind that this would contribute to optimal health." 4. Take a rest occasionally before the surgery "I have always found it difficult to take a rest, so I actually never really sit still. In the period before the surgery, I worked a lot, and if I wasn't working, you would find me at the gym or busy with household chores. You wouldn't have seen me in front of the TV anytime soon. But then I underwent the surgery and suddenly I *had* to sit still. That was a real test for me. So my tip is to get enough rest before the surgery; that way, you mentally get used to 'doing nothing'. You really won't be able to do much after your surgery, so you'd better be prepared for that." 5. Ask your questions and share your concerns "Do you have any questions before the surgery, or are you perhaps worried about something? Then don't hesitate to call the clinic. I called a few times with questions, and sometimes I was a bit afraid they would get fed up with me." But the opposite was true: time and again, I was spoken to kindly and reassured. I found the surgery stressful enough already, and this took away a large part of my worries. So definitely call if you have any concerns, because this ensures that you head to the clinic on the day of the surgery feeling much better. And after all, the consultants are there to help you!'' The recovery ''I tried to prepare myself as well as possible for the recovery. On Instagram, there are many women who share everything about their tummy tuck and share their own tips. I drew a lot of inspiration from that, and I am sharing the tips that helped me the most below.'' 6. Buy or borrow a pregnancy pillow ''For the first two weeks after the tummy tuck, you should not fully straighten your torso. This keeps your abdominal muscles relaxed and reduces the pressure on the stitches. This means you need to walk slightly bent forward, but it also means you cannot lie flat on your back. I placed a pregnancy pillow and an extra pillow under my back and head to be able to lie comfortably in a semi-sitting position. My arms could rest on the pillow, and this not only made it much more comfortable but also ensured that I stayed firmly in place. Highly recommended! Furthermore, I also slept with a pillow under my knees.'' 7. Buy or borrow a raised toilet seat ''I bought a raised toilet seat on Bol.com for 29.99, and I am so glad I did. Only after the surgery do you realize how much strain you put on your abdominal muscles when you squat down to use the toilet. Because you want to limit the pressure on your abdominal muscles as much as possible after an abdominoplasty, it is very pleasant not to have to squat down too deeply. A raised toilet seat ensures this. Would you rather not buy one? Then you can also rent or borrow one for free from, for example, Medipoint or Evean.' 8. Laughing or sneezing? Press your hand on your stomach ''During the operation, my abdominal muscles were sutured together. In the days following the surgery, I did feel some discomfort, but I would describe it as muscle pain. So, no screaming pain. Until I had to sneeze for the first time... I honestly have never been in so much pain. Just try to mimic a sneeze; you will probably immediately feel your abdominal muscles contract. After an abdominoplasty, this is absolutely no fun. Fortunately, I learned from the first sneeze: by pressing my hand(s) on my abdominal muscles, the pain decreased significantly while sneezing or laughing. Because yes, you also tense your abdominal muscles when laughing.'' 9. Rest, but also keep moving ''In the first few days, I rested too much. I basically just lay still, and this caused my legs to swell enormously. The plastic surgeon indicated that I could have prevented this by regularly walking around the house and elevating my legs when I was sitting still. "I started doing this after the first few days, and fortunately, the swelling subsided quickly as a result." 10. Research lymphatic drainage massages in advance "Even though I received the tip from the consultant, I didn't look into lymphatic drainage massages in time. These massages stimulate the lymph nodes and the lymphatic system, which helps remove excess fluid, waste products, and toxins from the body. It can therefore greatly promote your recovery. I suddenly had to look for a massage salon nearby because of the swelling; in hindsight, I should have looked into this before the surgery." 11. Give it time! "During the first few weeks, I stood in front of the mirror crying several times. I really wondered what I had done, because this result was not at all what I had envisioned. But the saying really applies here: give it time! Your body is recovering from the abdominoplasty, and the wounds will look uglier before they look better." Your stomach might look misshapen at first, but my advice is not to focus on this too much—it really does get better! For me, it took a year before I could really properly assess the result. Until then, I still regularly suffered from fluid retention.'' And furthermore... ''Follow the lifestyle guidelines your plastic surgeon gives you very closely. Put as little strain on your body as possible, eat healthily, and avoid smoking and alcohol. Drink plenty of water and alternate this with green tea. Green tea contains catechins, which are powerful antioxidants that strengthen the immune system. And do you live alone? Then I would recommend arranging help around the house for the first week. A parent, sister, or friend will probably be happy to come and help you, and you are going to need that help, because you can't do very much on your own.'' Pain after the abdominoplasty ''The pain was much less than I expected. My abdominal muscles did bother me at times, but I would describe it more as discomfort. The skin around the wound was numb, so I didn't experience any wound pain. I mainly suffered from back pain due to the semi-sitting position in which I slept, but as soon as I was allowed to lie flat again and walk upright, this pain also quickly disappeared. I have since spoken to more women who have undergone an abdominoplasty, and I hear the same thing from everyone: that the pain wasn't as bad as they expected. So, you really shouldn't let the pain stop you.'' Would I do it again? ''I would absolutely choose an abdominoplasty again. Even though the recovery was sometimes quite tough and the final result of the surgery took a while to show, I can say with full conviction that I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am very happy with the result and sometimes I am shocked when I look at my before photos. I can hardly imagine that I looked like that anymore! I am incredibly grateful to the plastic surgeon. Are you still hesitating? Then my advice is to think it over carefully. It is not a minor procedure and you want to be sure that you are making a well-considered choice. Have you thought it through carefully? Then I would say: go for it!'' Disclaimer: In this article, Jessica shares tips from her perspective as a patient. Advice from our plastic surgeons may vary. Abdominal wall correction at Esthetisch Centrum Jan van Goyen A flat stomach, without excess skin Personalized treatment plan based on your concerns and wishes Clients rate us an average of 9.0 on Kliniekervaringen.nl The surgery takes place in our brand-new surgical center Our plastic surgeons are affiliated with NVPC and NVEPC Both male and female BIG-registered plastic surgeons Because we are a subsidiary of OLVG, you have 24/7 access to care after the surgery. With us, you therefore receive not only the benefits of a small-scale clinic, but also the benefits of a large hospital. More abdominoplasty tips Are you looking for more tips or do you have specific questions? Then do not hesitate to contact us. Our team of consultants is ready to answer all your questions. Furthermore, the first consultation with our plastic surgeons is always without obligation. They provide you with transparent and honest advice based on your initial situation and wishes. In addition, they offer numerous tips for both the preparation for the abdominoplasty and the recovery period. We look forward to seeing you at our clinic!