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Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
WHY IS AN ABDOMINOPLASTY PERFORMED?
Excess skin on the tummy, droopy skin and lax abdominal muscles
can occur after dramatic weight loss, multiple pregnancies or
twin or triplet pregnancies. In some cases, the problem does not
respond to further dieting or exercise and the only way to
resolve the problem is surgical excision of the excess skin.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION?
The operation involves cutting out an ellipse of skin between
the pubic bone and the navel (belly button). This takes with it
the underlying fat and if necessary tightening of the muscles
and liposuction maybe considered at the same time. Once the
ellipse of skin has been removed, the skin above the navel is
pulled down and stretched towards the skin below the pubic bone
and they are stitched together. This skin is pulled down over
the belly button and a new hole needs to be made for the belly
button to come through. The result is two scars, one along the
lower tummy at the level of the pubic hair and another around
the navel. The lower scar should be concealed by most styles of
underwear and swimwear. The operation involves a general
anesthetic. The best results are obtained in patients who are
the correct weight for their height and you may be asked to lose
weight before surgery is considered. Before the operation,
depending on your age and fitness, you may have to undergo some
simple health checks such as blood tests and EKG. You will be
required to sign a consent form giving permission for the
operation. This requires that you are aware of the risks and
complications involved in the procedure.
ARE THERE ANY COMPLICATIONS?
There are general risks associated with a general anesthetic
such as aspiration of stomach content into the lung which can
cause serious illness or death. Therefore, to help prevent this
it is mandatory that you do not eat or drink anything (usually 8
hours) preceding your surgery. Other risks include DVTs (clots
in the veins of the legs) especially in smokers. You will be
encouraged to get up and walk around as soon as possible to
reduce these risks. This will feel uncomfortable and tight at
first and you will be given pain killers to help with this.
Complications specific to this operation include infection and
problems with wound healing. This most commonly affects the most
central part of the wound and it may require regular dressing
for a few weeks. Problems with the wound are more common in
smokers, diabetics and overweight patients. If you are a smoker,
you are strongly advised to stop smoking before the operation.
Some people experience problems with red, raised and lumpy scars
but most scars will become very pale and thin. Collections of
blood (hematomas) and collections of fluid (seromas) can occur
and may require drainage with a needle or more rarely a return
to the operating theatre. Numbness may occur and can
occasionally be permanent. In some cases minor adjustments under
local anesthetic are required at a later date.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE OPERATION?
When you come round from the anesthetic you will be bandaged and
have drainage tubes in place. The drains can usually be removed
a day or so after the operation but occasionally will be left
for a little longer if fluid continues to leak. You may have
dissolvable stitches but any permanent stitches that are used,
especially around the navel, may need to be removed
approximately 10 days after the surgery.
WHEN CAN NORMAL ACTIVITIES BE RESUMED?
You can usually return to work after 2 to 4 weeks depending on
your job but you should avoid any strenuous activity for up to 6
weeks after the operation.
Click here to view before and after
photos of this procedure.
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