The abdominoplasty or tummy tuck operation, is designed to remove excess skin from the abdomen and at the same time if required from clients, with surgery doctors can tighten the abdominal muscles. This operation is indicated in cases where there is laxity of the abdomen resulting in bulging due to abnormal stretching of the abdominal muscles and skin. High frequently weight change or multiple pregnancies are the most common reasons for client to request this kind of surgeries.
How is abdominoplasty different than liposuction?
Liposuction surgery, is based on only remove fat, abdominoplasty involves removal of fat and skin to give a better look, with tightening of the abdominal muscles. This is why abdominoplasty is more extensive than classic liposuction. Extent of surgery will depend on the amount of excess skin form body and the laxity of the abdominal muscles is important. But in many cases liposuction are performed in connection with abdominoplasty.
Before the abdominoplasty surgery, the amount of removal skin are will carefully marked. An incision on the lower abdomen, the excess skin is pulled down and is removed with underlying fatty tissue. The muscles will be tightened as required and the skin is then carefully re-draped.
If the client has a marked weight loss, large skin folds may make the surgery very difficult. In this case, a new procedure called a panniculectomy may be more useful. Body contouring procedures are not designed to correct obesity and a stable weight must be achieved before undertaking either of these procedures.
An abdominoplasty is usually performed under general anaesthesia in a surgery, and requires at least one overnight stay.
Is there any reason not to proceed with an abdominoplasty?
Abdominal scars above the umbilicus (restricts blood supply to distal flap)
1. Obesity
2. Likely or planned future pregnancy
3. Medical conditions prohibiting elective surgery
4. Unrealistic expectations
What happens before the Surgery?
The following list of a important guidelines for patients need to follow before their abdominoplasty surgery. The Abdominoplasty clients should:
1. Centers the weight for 9-12 months before the day of surgery.
2. Keep distance from alcohol before 7 days before the surgery.
3. Stop smoking 2-3 months before surgery.
4. Do not take anti inflammatory medicines for last 14 days before the surgery due to increased the risk blood loss during the surgery.
5. You need to inform the doctor of all medicines you are using and for what kind of condition(s) you have been using this medicine.
If you decide to proceed with the surgery, you will need to confirm your understanding by signing a Patient Consent Form.
What happens during the Operation Procedure?
Medications are available , to give you comfort under the surgical procedure. Surgery procedure always requires general anaesthesia. Your safety is important, it uses various monitors to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
The surgery starts with a horizontal incision to above the pubic area. The length of the incision, which extends laterally toward the pelvic bones, depends basically on the amount of skin will be removed. The contour of this incision will vary according to the structure of your abdomen and the style of bathing suit or undergarments that you prefer. Your doctor will try to keep the incision within your bathing suit lines, but please note that this may not always be possible.
Some patients have loose skin over the navel. In this type cases, the doctor may make a second incision around the navel, so that the excess skin over, can be pulled down. The excess abdominal skin is then removed. The position of the navel remains unchanged. To tighten the abdominal wall, the doctor brings loose underlying tissue and muscle together with sutures.
The skin of lower abdomen that contains stretch stretch marks may also be removed. Remaining stretch marks can be flattened and improved, but you need not to expect a dramatic change in their look.
Abdominal skin will be pulled downward then the excess skin is removed. A small opening is made to bring the navel through. The procedure may include tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles using stitch.
The abdominoplasty procedure removes large amounts of abdominal fat and skin below the belly button thereby reshaping the stomach and chest area. Unlike liposuction, the excess skin will still remain on this area. The removal of the remained damaged skin results with tightening of the remaining skin and give an improved form.
In some cases it may require liposuction in it is necessary with the abdominoplasty surgery. Liposuction will help remove excess flank or hip fat with the objective of providing a flatter and more ‘hour glass’ better shape.
What happens after the Surgery Process?
A patient who has been done abdominoplasty operation, as usually feel uncomfortable for 7-10 days after the surgery, until the surgical site is heald. It is critical that patients use an abdominal support, that is recommended and specified by the surgeon. Similarly patients should have to temporarily live with a closed suction drain, which is used to reduce the risk of hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin) this is one of the most common post-operative complications of an abdominoplasty.
Patients will get a numb feeling for few months after the surgery. As normal patients can go to work estimate 2-3 weeks after the surgery, but should wait 2 months before using the stomach muscle. It is very important that you follow the post-operative advice of your surgeon.
For most the patients they can not see the results of abdominoplasty apparent for up to 12 months after the procedure.