What is Abdominoplasty?
Many people have problems keeping their tummy area in
shape. Some have tried dieting and exercise yet still do
not get the results they want to have. Abdominoplasty might
just be the solution for such concerns.
Commonly known as a Tummy Tuck, Abdominoplasty
involves the surgery of the abdomen in which excess fatty
tissue and skin are removed, resulting to a firm and smooth
abdomen. The procedure entails the removal of excess
abdominal skin, reduction of fat below the skin, and if
necessary, tightening of the muscles of the abdominal wall.
Most people who undergo this treatment are those who have
gone through pregnancies. Sometimes the old unsightly scars
from a C-section, appendectomy, and stretch marks can be
removed as well. A Tummy Tuck results to a more youthful,
firmer, and flatter abdominal contour.
However, do take note that Abdominoplasty is not a
substitute for weight loss. We highly recommend weight
management programs for patients to maintain their weight
and keep the body in its new shape.
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Effects of Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty procedures provide significant and lasting
results for patients who opt for them. The recovery period
may be somewhat longer and the incision lines may be
permanent, but it efficiently removes protruding, sagging
abdominal skin and the scars fade over time. The incisions
are normally placed in the natural skin folds, and most are
covered by undergarments and swim wear. The abdomen should
remain firm and flat for many years unless there is a
significant change in weight or due to pregnancy.
Abdominoplasty patients feel more confident about their
appearance months after the procedure. It gives them more
freedom to choose what to wear without worrying over
unsightly bulges. Patients who continue with their exercise
routines and healthy diets will benefit the most from
Abdominoplasty and will maintain their results longer.
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Candidates for Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty can be beneficial to both men and women who
have excess fat and loose skin of the abdomen. Doctors who
perform this procedure carefully consider age, obesity, and
overall health to evaluate if a person is a good candidate.
The best candidates for Abdominoplasty are those who are
healthy and physically fit and who have maintained a stable
body weight near their ideal goal with a disciplined program
of diet and exercise.
Good candidates for Abdominoplasty have one or more of the
following conditions:
• An abdomen that protrudes and is not in proportion to the
rest of the body
• Abdominal muscles that have been separated and weakened
by weight gain or pregnancy
• Excess or flabby abdominal skin
• Excess fatty tissue that is mostly concentrated in the
abdominal area
Poor candidates for Abdominoplasty are smokers, diabetics
and those with uncontrolled obesity. Women who would
consider this procedure should be certain that they will not
become pregnant again in the future.
This procedure gives patients a definite improvement in
their appearance, more self-confidence and also a motivation
to live a healthier lifestyle to maintain these results.
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Your
Consultation
During the initial consultation, BHMG’s Board Certified
Surgeon will ask for a complete medical history and will
conduct a careful examination to evaluate your overall
health. The ideal Abdominoplasty patient should have no
health problems and only wants to remove excess fat or loose
abdominal skin. Abdominoplasty patients undergoing a
supervised weight-loss plan should be close to their target
weight before opting for the operation. Women who are still
planning to have children should delay taking this procedure
as pregnancies cause abdominal stretching.
Pre-operative and post-operative photos will be taken of
every patient who wishes to undergo this procedure.
Antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent infection, and
also avoid taking drugs with aspirin to minimize bleeding.
You are also suggested to shower using an antiseptic soap on
the night before or the morning of your surgery.
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The Abdominoplasty
Procedure
Abdominoplasty is done on an outpatient basis in an
accredited surgical facility and under general anesthesia.
A sedative may be given to you beforehand to help you
relax. Abdominoplasty generally takes 3 to 4 hours, unless
other additional procedures are planned in conjunction to
this procedure.
Abdominoplasty is usually performed by making a
gently-curving incision extending for a variable length
between both hip bones and above the pubic area, which is
hidden in the bikini line. The length of the incision
depends on the amount of excess skin to be removed. A
circular incision is then made around the navel. The skin
is then lifted from the abdominal wall and elevated up to
the ribs to reveal the abdominal muscle. Sutures tighten
the loose, separated muscles, and any abdominal hernias are
repaired as well. This gives the patient a firmer abdominal
wall and narrower waistline.
After that, the skin is re-draped and tightened over the
abdomen. Any excess skin and fat are then trimmed and
removed, and the navel is put back its place through a new
incision in the abdominal skin.
Often during the procedure, the existing stretch marks in
the lower abdomen are removed and any more that may remain
are flattened and improved. The incisions are then
thoroughly closed with hidden sutures and surgical tape.
Temporary suction drains are then inserted to eliminate
fluid buildup, and firm elastic bandages or a surgical
girdle are applied to the area to limit the swelling and
bruising.
Abdominoplasty patients usually spend the night of the
surgery in an aftercare facility. However, patients can go
to their own homes under the care of a private-duty nurse or
a responsible adult caregiver.
Our medical staff will be ready to discuss with you several
techniques of Abdominoplasty, whatever is needed for your
condition.
“Mini” or Partial Abdominoplasty
This procedure is reserved for patients with minimal loose
skin and excess fat deposits located primarily below the
umbilicus. There would be no incisions around the umbilicus
in this alternative.
Belt Lipectomy or Lower Body Lift
This procedure works better for patients who have excessive
and lax skin on the flanks and hips in addition to the
abdomen.
Liposuction or Suction Lipectomy
This procedure is done in circumstances where there is good
skin elasticity and localized excess fat only. This is often
performed in conjunction with either mini or full
Abdominoplasty procedures to remove additional unwanted fat
deposits and enhance the overall contours of the waistline,
hips and thighs.
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Recovery
After surgery, you will awaken gently from anesthesia in
the recovery room, with mild discomfort that is usually
controlled by pain medication. Once you are fully awake,
you will be transferred to the aftercare facility or to your
home with a responsible adult caregiver.
Below are some recommendations for better recovery:
- Go for short walks to promote circulation and to
facilitate deep breathing. Even if you are not able to stand
up straight, it is recommended that you do not lie in bed or
sit for long periods of time during the first several days
right after surgery.
- It is necessary that you wear a support garment or girdle
in order to limit swelling and fluid accumulation.
- Sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees.
- Straining, bending and lifting must be stopped to avoid
increased swelling, bleeding or disruption of the surgical
repair.
BHMG will see you in the office 24 to 48 hours after
surgery. By then, you will be given special instructions
for showering and changing your dressings until the drains
are removed, which is a week to 10 days after the
procedure. The sutures are removed in stages over the
period of 5 to 14 days.
The speed of recovery depends on your physical conditions
before surgery. Those who have stronger abdominal muscles
usually recover faster.
A mild amount of swelling and bruising is normal during
this first week after surgery. Take at least 1 to 2 weeks
to recuperate before returning to non-strenuous work.
Sexual activity should be avoided for a minimum of two weeks
as well. In 3 to 4 weeks after surgery, patients may resume
light to moderate exercise. You may experience numbness
over portions of the abdominal area that persist for several
months. The incisions may remain red or pink for many
months following surgery before they finally begin to fade.
Swelling may subside several weeks after the Abdominoplasty
procedure to see the final results of your improved
abdominal contour.
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Risks
Every surgical procedure has advantages and disadvantages.
These must be considered by the patient when deciding
whether the procedure is appropriate. Also, every operation
has potential complications which can occur in a small
percentage of patients even in the best of hands.
Advantages of Abdominoplasty:
- It tightens and cinches stretched muscles.
- It removes some excess fat.
- It helps decrease stretch marks.
- It has a long-lasting result.
Disadvantages of Abdominoplasty:
- It leaves a long horizontal scar above the pubic
hairline. Although in some cases, if the skin is not
excessive, muscle tightening can be done endoscopically,
without the horizontal scar.
- It leaves a scar around the navel area.
- The recovery time is 1 to 3 weeks.
- It causes some temporary bruising, numbness and swelling.
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q: Is
there a greater risk if I am a smoker?
A:
Yes.
Abdominoplasty patients who are smokers have a higher risk
for loss of skin, delayed wound healing, infection,
pneumonia and blood clots in the leg veins which may result
in pulmonary embolism and death. It is essential that you
refrain from smoking for 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after
the surgical procedure.
Q: What
can be done to improve the appearance of scars?
A:
The
scars will fade nicely as time passes. If the scars become
somewhat thick or red, BHMG may recommend treatment with
silicone gel strips or liquid or even laser treatment of the
scars to lessen the redness. This is mainly the reason for
your follow-up visits, so that the medical staff at BHMG can
note the progress of your wound healing.
Q: How
long do I need to wear the binder or girdle?
A:
The
binder or girdle diminishes the amount of swelling and
bruising in the abdominal area, especially after having
Liposuction together with Abdominoplasty. It prevents
accumulation of fluids under the abdominal skin, and helps
to maintain the contour of your new abdomen. You should
wear it continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except
while showering) for the first 3 to 4 weeks after surgery.
After that, an additional 3 weeks of usage in the daytime is
recommended.
Q: Why
are drains necessary for Abdominoplasty?
A:
Suction drains are used together with external pressure from
an elastic abdominal binder or girdle to remove serum and
blood fluids that usually accumulates between the abdominal
wall and the underside of the tightened abdominal skin. The
drains help by removing the fluids so that the skin can
re-attach to the abdominal wall without further problems or
delay.
Q: How
long will my drains remain in place?
A:
The
drains, which are normally two, will remain in place until
the daily volume of drainage decreases to a minimum. This
is usually between 5 days and 2 weeks.
Q: When
can I shower or bathe?
A:
You
may shower after the first office visit/dressing change,
which is within 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Do not bathe
or immerse the incisions or drain sites under water in a
bathtub, pool, etc., until the drains have been removed and
the incisions completely healed. BHMG’s medical staff will
let you know when you can do so.
Q: When
can I resume exercise?
A:
Patients are encouraged to begin walking immediately after
surgery. After a week to 10 days, you may walk on a
treadmill, or have mild upper body weight training. Most
patients can resume full, unrestricted exercise activities
in approximately 4 weeks.
Q: When
can I resume driving?
A:
Most
patients may resume driving in 48 to 72 hours after the
Abdominoplasty procedure. However, do not drive if you are
taking narcotic pain medication, sedatives or muscle
relaxants.
Q: When
can I start going back to work or doing my normal social
activities?
A:
Most
Abdominoplasty patients are able to return to work or resume
normal social activities after 5 to 10 days. You are to
take frequent breaks to stand and walk to promote
circulation and deep breathing. Wear loose-fitting clothing
to hide the drains and abdominal binder or girdle.
Q: What
would happen if I become pregnant after Abdominoplasty?
A:
When
you get pregnant, your skin and abdominal wall will
stretch. In this event, you may need to have additional
surgery to regain the improvement, if the abdominal skin
becomes lax again.
Q: Does
my insurance cover my fees for Abdominoplasty?
A:
Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure not covered by
insurance. Only if there is a significant spreading of the
abdominal wall muscles or a hernia, a portion of the
surgicenter and professional fees may be eligible for
reimbursement.
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