Tummy Tuck – Reduction Abdominoplasty
Plastic surgery of the abdomen –reduction abdominoplasty – is a major surgical procedure used to correct sagging skin and a loose abdominal wall. The patient’s appearance is greatly improved. Sagging skin and a loose abdominal wall can occur after more than one pregnancy or after major weight loss. Some conditions can be complicated by diastasis (separation of the abdominal muscles). The surgery gives very good and functional results.
Stretch marks (striae gravidarum) resulting from rapid skin expansion during pregnancy or obesity, can be removed only partially. For successful results of this surgery, the candidate must be in good general health. It is not recommended for women who still plan to become pregnant. The plastic surgery is also performed in men mostly after major weight loss when an excess quantity of saggy skin forms unsightly folds.
Pre-surgery instructions:
see the pre-surgery instructions
Procedure:
Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthesia and takes about 2 hours. It is often combined with abdominal liposuction.
An incision is made just above pubic hair line, to be hidden by the underwear. The excess loose skin and fat are removed, the navel is transferred to a new place, and in case of diastasis (separation of abdominal muscles) the appropriate procedure is used to treat it. When the surgery is completed, while still in the operating room, a compression garment and abdominal belt as a necessary part of the client’s post-operative period are applied to the patient. During the surgery, antibiotics are given to the patient to prevent infection, as well as analgesics and drugs preventing embolism. The first post-operative re-bandaging occurs on the first day after surgery and the drains are removed at the end of the in-patient stay, which generally takes 2 days.
Post-surgery instructions:
Follow-up visits are scheduled for days 3, 7, and 12 when the sutures are removed. Activities can be fully resumed approximately 6 weeks after surgery. At the beginning of the post-operative period, the patient can feel a stretching and loss of sensitivity around the scar, which shall fade spontaneously after a few weeks.
Abdominoplasty delivers a long-term effect.
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