All 5 Clinics that provide Tummy Tuck in Croatia

The tummy tuck is a procedure to reduce the size of the abdomen by removing excess fat and tightening stomach muscles. Ideal candidates for the procedure are healthy individuals who want to tackle areas of fat or muscle that are not responding to exercise.

Combined with diet and exercise the effects of the procedure can be long lasting.

Length

A full abdominoplasty lasts between two and five hours with a partial abdominoplasty taking one to two hours.

Procedure

The operation is usually carried out under general anaesthetic. In a full abdominoplasty an incision is made following a semi-circle from hip to hip, just above the pubic area, a second incision frees the navel. Excess fat is removed and muscles are tightened by the use of stitches. A partial abdominoplasty involves a smaller initial incision with work being carried out between the incision and the navel.

Recovery

Recovery periods are different for each patient and can be affected by a number of factors such as a patient’s general physical condition and postoperative exercise. All stitches should be removed within two to three weeks at which stage some patients will be able to return to normal activity, others taking a few weeks longer. Temporary bruising and swelling as well as discomfort can all be part of the recovery process and again vary from patient to patient. Scarring will result from the incisions, the appearance of which may grow more noticeable in the first few months before fading over time.

Risks

Procedures may, in rare cases, result in abnormal clotting or infection. Scarring resulting from the procedure can require an additional operation to meet the desired appearance.

A guide to plastic surgery regulations in Croatia

The Ministry of Health holds overall responsiblitiy for the management of public health within Croatia.

In 1995 the Croatian Medical Chamber was established. This is the independant overseer of the profession and membership is mandatory for all Croatian doctors.

Established in 1874, the Croation Medical Association represents the professional interests of doctors in Croatia. Membership is voluntary, though membership is required for all specialists in plastic surgery.

The Croatian Society for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery is the official society for plastic surgeons in Croatia. The society publishes a list of their members online.

Education

The basic medical degree takes 6 years. Plastic surgery is a recognized specialty and the training programme has been harmonized with EU requirements in anticipation of future membership. The registrar training is a 60 month (10 semester) programme. Successful completion earns the title "plastične kirurgije".

Complaints

A three tiered complaints system is available. The most direct course is to contact the Croatian Medical Chamber. The Chamber inforces the ethical code and can disipline physician in violation of the code, impose fines and remove a physician from the register.

Civil action may be persued in the courts. Complaints may also be lodged with the Ministry of Health. Physicians in private practice have full liablity and malpractice cover is available, though rarely taken.

Storage and Access to Medical Records

Croatia has a passed "The Act on Personal Data Protection", which created the Personal Data Protection Agency. This legislation is designed to bring Croatia in compliance with EU regulations on data protection in advance of EU membership.

The Croatian Medical Chamber also inforces its ethical code which requires doctors to maintain and protect the medical records of their patients.

Resources

Croatian Medical Chamber
Šubićeva ul.9, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
tel: +385 1 4500 830
email: nikolina.budic@hlk.hr
website: http://www.hlk.hr (Croatian language only)

Croatian Medical Association
Šubićeva ul.9, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
tel: +385 1 4693 300
website: http://hlz.mef.hr/index.html

Croatian Society for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Website: http://www.kbd.hr/cspras
Member list: http://www.kbd.hr/cspras/Members%20list.htm

The biggest choice of tummy tuck clinics in Croatia with Prices, Patient Reviews, Maps. Everything you need to find the best tummy tuck for you in Croatia.