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Candidates:
Women
or men with an abdomen out of proportion with the rest of their body due to
either an excess of skin and fat in this area. Or due to abdominal muscles that
have been separated and weakened, specifically seen in some women after
pregnancy.
Objective:
To improve the shape of the abdomen by removing excess fat and
skin and tightening the abdominal wall muscles.
Incisions and technique:
A horizontal incision is made just above the pubic area, and
extends laterally toward the pelvic bones. The length of the scar depends on the
amount of skin that needs to be removed and usually the incision can be placed
within the lines of the bathing suit. When there is a small amount of loose skin
and the fat deposits are concentrated below the navel, a much shorter horizontal
incision will be sufficient. This is called a mini-abdominoplasty. When there is
loose skin above the umbilicus a second incision is made around the navel
freeing it from the abdominal skin, the excess skin is then pulled down and the
navel re positioned, thus the final position of the navel remains the same.
Operating Time:
2 to 4 hours.
Anesthesia:
General anesthesia is needed when the muscle wall needs
tightening otherwise local anesthesia with sedation is administered.
Hospital Stay/Outpatient:
A minimum 24-hour stay is advised with a full
abdominoplasty (especially if combined with another procedure). A mini
abdominoplasty can be performed on an outpatient basis although an overnight
stay is advised.
Recovery Period:
Temporary pain is treated with analgesics. Swelling,
tenderness, numbness of abdominal skin, bruising, and tiredness, some, or all of
these can last up to several weeks. Small drains, removed after a few days, are
used to help avoid the accumulation of fluids in the abdominal wall. Dressings
are applied and will be changed every other day for the first two weeks. You may
be required to wear a girdle for 20 to 30 days. Stitches will be removed in
stages over a period of one or two weeks.
Possible Complications:
Collection of liquid under the flap. Blood clots.
Infection. Bleeding under the skin flap. Reactions to anesthesia. Delayed
healing. Poor healing resulting in visible scarring or skin loss. Need for a
second operation. Possibility of wide scars (keloids) in patients with a
tendency. Any one of these complications could occur and every precaution is
taken to minimize the possibility. Recovery Time: Back to work: in 2 to 3 weeks.
Strenuous exercising and sunbathing in 4 to 6 weeks or more. Fading and
flattening of the scar: occurs after 3 months and sometimes up to 2 years.
Details:
Any plan to become pregnant or lose weight in the future, should
be discussed before the operation. The scar placement and quality from previous
abdominal surgery may limit the results of your abdominoplasty. There may be an
improvement in the number of stretch marks, especially those located below the
navel, as the skin of the lower abdomen that contains the stretch marks will be
removed. Sometimes liposuction may be used alone to remove abdominal fat, or in
conjunction with an abdominoplasty procedure.
Duration of the Results:
The abdomen should remain firm and flat
for many years, unless you gain a lot of weight or become pregnant. However,
over the years, with the pull of gravity and natural aging process, a second
abdominoplasty may be needed to improve the body contour.
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