Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a 'tummy tuck,' is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. The procedure can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. But bear in mind, it does produce a permanent scar which extends from hip to hip.

If you're considering Abdominoplasty, this web site will give you a basic understanding of the procedure - when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, as a lot depends on your individual circumstances.

If you have further questions, ring for a free consultation, or e-mail us your enquiries.

The Best Candidates for Abdominoplasty

The best candidates for abdominoplasty 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 ideally 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, this may interfere with abdominoplasty. Your surgeon will be able to advise you.

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 your surgeon.

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 very pleasing. Nevertheless, there are always risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.

Postoperative 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 will be advised to stop completely for 3 weeks before and after surgery, as smoking increases markedly the risk of complications and delays 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.

Planning Your Surgery

In your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your health, determine the extent of fat deposits in your abdominal region, and carefully assess your skin tone. Be sure to tell him if you smoke, and if you're taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs.

Be frank in discussing your expectations, your surgeon will be equally frank with you, describing your alternatives and the risks and limitations of each.

If, for example, your problems are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex procedure called mini-abdominoplasty, which can often be performed on an outpatient basis. You may, on the other hand, benefit more from abdominoplasty done in conjunction with liposuction to remove fat deposits from the hips, for a better body contour. Or maybe liposuction alone would create the best result.

In any case your surgeon will work with you and your problematic areas to recommend the procedure that is right for you and will come closest to producing the desired body contour.

During the consultation, he will also explain the anaesthesia he will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs involved. In most cases, health insurance policies and Medicare do contribute to the cost of abdominoplasty, but you should check your policy to be sure.

Preparing for Your Surgery

your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and takingor avoiding certain vitamins and medications.

If you smoke, plan to quit at least three weeks before and not to resume for at least three weeks after your surgery. Do not go on a stringent diet, as both can inhibit your ability to heal. If you develop a cold or infection of any kind, your surgery may need to be postponed. Notify your surgeon's friendly staff.

You should arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a few days to a week after you leave the hospital.

Where Your Surgery will be Performed

Abdominoplasty is normally performed in a hospital with at least an overnight stay. Plan to stay 2 nights if possible. Mini-abdominoplasty can be done as a day procedure.

Types of Anaesthesia

your surgeon will recommend general anaesthesia, so you'll sleep through the operation.

The Surgery

Adominoplasty usually takes two to three hours, depending on the extent of work required. Mini-abdominoplasty may take an hour or more. Most commonly, a long incision is made from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. With mini-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.

Next, your surgeon separates the skin and subcutaneous tissues 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 will be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.

In mini-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. Tightening of the lower tummy wall only is performed.

After Your Surgery

For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen and you're likely to feel considerable pain and discomfort which can be controlled by medication. Depending on the extent of the surgery and on your progress and preferences you may remain hospitalised for one to three days or more. Your surgeon 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 around the umbilicus will be removed in stages over the first two weeks, and deeper absorbable sutures elsewhere will not need removal. Any dressings over your incision will remain in place for the first week and then be removed, you will continue to use a support garment for approximately two to six weeks.

Getting Back to Normal

It may take you weeks or months to feel like your old self again. If you start out in top physical condition with strong abdominal muscles, recovery from abdominoplasty will be much faster. Some people return to work after two weeks, while others take three or four weeks to rest and recuperate.

Exercise will help you heal better. Even people who have never exercised before should begin an exercise program to reduce swelling, lower the chance of blood clots, and tone muscles. Vigorous exercise, however, should be avoided until you can do it comfortably. Your scars may actually appear to worsen during the first three months as they heal, but this is normal.

Expect it to take six months before most your scars flatten out and lighten in color and 18 months before they improve maximally. While they'll never disappear completely, abdominal scars will not show under most clothing, even bathing suits.

Your New Look

Abdominoplasty produces excellent results for patients with weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin. And in most cases, the results are long lasting, if you follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly. If you're realistic in your expectations and prepared for the consequences of the permanent scar and a sometimes lengthy recovery period, abdominoplasty may be just the answer for you.

If you have further questions, write them down and ask your surgeon and his extremely attentive staff at your consultation.