Overview:
Abdominoplasty (abdominal lift) is a procedure to remove excess fat and skin from the lower abdomen by lifting the skin and fat off the underlying muscles from the pubis to the ribs, tightening the underlying muscles, and tightening the skin by removal of the excess of skin
Why It’s Done
Acquired abdominal contour deformities or laxity can be the result of weight gain or fluctuations, aging, pregnancy, presence of Hernia with laxity
Risks:
Any surgery can result as part of process in some complications. A risk of complication should not put you off the surgery but it enhances your knowledge about possibilities and better prepares you to undergo the surgery
Tummy tuck risks include:
1. Bleeding, hematoma, bruising
2. Seroma (fluid collection), chronic pseudocyst
3. Infection, sepsis
4. Sensory loss
5. Skin loss with delayed healing
6. Dehiscence (wide opening of wound) with prolonged period of healing
7. Scarring: wide, hypertrophic, or keloid
8. Asymmetry
9. Persistent edema (swelling)
10. Umbilicus off center or loss of umbilicus
11. Dog ears
12. Need for further surgery
You will have a consultation with the Plastic Surgeon and Anaesthetist regards the Surgery who will explain risk benefits and you will be asked to sign a consent form.
How do you Prepare?
Once you are convinced in addressing the abdominal wall laxity with or without hernia the next step would be to choose the right plastic Surgeon.
You would need to let know the surgeon the list of medication that you are on .You would need to stop taking certain medication ( like Asprin ) and if smoking would be asked to stop prior to procedure and subsequently for some period of time .
What you can expect during the surgery ?
The whole procedure takes about 3- 5 hours to complete and is done under General Anaesthesia . During the procedure the excess lax skin is removed and any hernia is repaired , muscles are tightened .If need be mesh repair is done to strengthen the abdominal wall if any accompanying hernia is present.
Procedures:
Complete Abdominoplasty: Abdominoplasty (abdominal lift) is a procedure to remove excess fat and skin from the lower abdomen by lifting the skin and fat off the underlying muscles from the pubis to the ribs, tightening the underlying muscles, and tightening the skin by removal of the excess .you may need drainage tubes under your skin for a few days.
Partial or Mini Abdominoplasty:
If there is loose skin mainly in the lower abdomen but not enough to remove skin from the pubis to the umbilicus,alternatives include a limited resection in the lower abdomen without moving the umbilicus or a more aggressive resection leaving a vertical midline lower abdominal scar
What you can expect after the surgery?
-Drainage tubes are used following abdominoplasty for approximately 3 to 7 days or when the amount of daily drainage has been reduced sufficiently
-Pain will tend to decrease substantially after the drains are removed.
-The first dressing change might be after 3-7 days depending on soakage
-Prescriptions for pain medication and an antibiotic are given to the patient
Results:
-Improved confidence due to treatment of lax abdominal wall
-If any \hernia was treated reduction of the localized prominence with symptomatic relief
-Improved abdominal contour and posture