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TUMMY TUCK SURGERYHe best candidates for
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck procedure) are men or women
who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a
large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won't
respond to diet or exercise. The surgery is particularly
helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have
stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the
point where they can return to normal. Loss of skin
elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs
with slight obesity, can also be improved.
Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight should
postpone the surgery. Also, women who plan future
pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles in the
abdomen that are tightened during surgery can separate
again during pregnancy. If you have scarring from
previous abdominal surgery, your doctor may recommend
against abdominoplasty or may caution you that scars
could be unusually prominent.
Abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance and your
self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your
looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to
treat you differently. Before you decide to have
surgery, think carefully about your expectations and
discuss them with Dr Mounir.
All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty And Risk
Thousands of abdominoplasties are performed successfully
each year. When done by a qualified plastic surgeon who
is trained in body contouring, the results are generally
quite positive. Nevertheless, there are always risks
associated with surgery and specific complications
associated with this procedure.
Post-operative complications such as infection and blood
clots are rare, but can occur. Infection can be treated
with drainage and antibiotics, but will prolong your
hospital stay. You can minimize the risk of blood clots
by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible.
Poor healing, which results in conspicuous scars, may
necessitate a second operation. Smokers should be
advised to stop, as smoking may increase the risk of
complications and delay healing.
You can reduce your risk of complications by closely
following your surgeon's instructions before and after
the surgery, especially with regard to when and how you
should resume physical activity.
The Surgery
Complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to five hours,
depending on the extent of work required. Partial
abdominoplasty may take an hour or two.
Most commonly, the surgeon will make a long incision
from hipbone to hipbone, ,just above the pubic area. A
second incision is made to free the navel from
surrounding tissue. With partial abdominoplasty, the
incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved,
although it may be pulled into an unnatural shape as the
skin is tightened and stitched.
Next, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal
wall all the way up to your ribs and lifts a large skin
flap to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen.
These muscles are tightened by pulling them close
together and stitching them into their new position.
This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows the
waistline.
The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin
is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is
then stitched in place. Finally, the incisions will be
stitched, dressings will be applied, and a temporary
tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the
surgical site.
In partial abdominoplasty, the skin is separated only
between the incision line and the navel. This skin flap
is stretched down, the excess is removed, and the flap
is stitched back into place.
After Your Surgery
For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be
swollen and you're likely to feel some pain and
discomfort which can be controlled by medication.
Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be
released within a few hours or you may have to remain
hospitalized for two to three days.
Your doctor will give you instructions for showering and
changing your dressings. And though you may not be able
to stand straight at first, you should start walking as
soon as possible.
Surface stitches will be removed in five to seven days,
and deeper sutures, with ends that protrude through the
skin, will come out in two to three weeks. The dressing
on your incision may be replaced by a support garment
For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be
swollen and you're likely to feel some pain and
discomfort which can be controlled by medication.
Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be
released within a few hours or you may have to remain
hospitalized for two to three days.
Your doctor will give you instructions for showering and
changing your dressings. And though you may not be able
to stand straight at first, you should start walking as
soon as possible.
Surface stitches will be removed in five to seven days,
and deeper sutures, with ends that protrude through the
skin, will come out in two to three weeks. The dressing
on your incision may be replaced by a support garment.
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