What is Abdominoplasty?
- Complete Abdominoplasty - Partial Abdominoplasty
Abdominasty is a surgical intervention in which the extra fat and flappy skin tissue in the middle and lower abdominal region are removed and abdominal muscles are stretched. It is not a treatment for overweightness. Overweight people should lose weight as the amount of they desire before the surgery. Through this surgery, the shape of fatty belly and the appearance of the abdominal region dramatically improves; however the surgical scar is permanent. There are plenty of techniques used by plastic surgeons for abdominoplasty.
Abdominoplasty can be perform alongside some other surgeries such as adjustment of body contours (mammaplasty, liposuction etc.), hysterectomy and ovarian surgery. If you consider having abdominoplasty, this article will inform you, however you may not find all the answers you seek here.
Planning of Abdominoplasty
During your first examination, your surgeon will study your general health, the amount and the distrubition of the fat in your abdominal region, the flabbines, overgrowth and the quality of your abdomina skin. You must inform your surgeon correctly and in detail regarding your previous and current diseases (diabetes etc), habits (smoking, alcohol etc.) the medications you take (asprin, tranquilizer etc.). Another matter you should tell your surgeon about is why you want this surgery and what your expectations are. Do not hesitate to discuss this matter openly.
Depending on your expectations and examination findings, you may be a candidate to complete or partial abdominoplasty performed exclusively or with liposuction. Liposuction alone might be enough for you too. You should also discuss the anaesthesia type that is going to be used during the surgery, how many days you should stay in the hospital and possible problems you might encounter after the surgery.
Anaesthesia Type
Most of the surgeons in our country prefer genera l anaesthesia for this surgery. Others use local anaesthesia alongside with painkillers and tranquilizers.
The Process of the Surgery
There may be bulging and aches which can be controlled with painkillers in the abdominal region for the first few days. Drains and stitches removed approximately 1 to 3 days and 1 to 3 weeks, respectively. You need to stay in the hospital 1 to 3 days in average. It may take a couple of months for you to feel as before. You can go back to work in 2 to 4 weeks. The scars may look like they are worsening in the first 3 to 6 months but it is normal, flattening and fading of the scars may take 9 months to 1 year. Despite they do not completely disappear, they can easily be hidden under bikini. Partial or complete abdominoplasty gives excellent results for the patients that have weak abdominal muscles and bulging skin. This result can be preserved in most of the patients for years through regular exercise and diet.
After the Surgery
There may be bulging and aches which can be controlled with painkillers in the abdominal region for the first few days. Drains and stitches removed approximately 1 to 3 days and 1 to 3 weeks, respectively. You need to stay in the hospital 1 to 3 days in average. It may take a couple of months for you to feel as before. You can go back to work in 2 to 4 weeks. The scars may look like they are worsening in the first 3 to 6 months but it is normal, flattening and fading of the scars may take 9 months to 1 year. Despite they do not completely disappear, they can easily be hidden under bikini. Partial or complete abdominoplasty gives excellent results for the patients that have weak abdominal muscles and bulging skin. This result can be preserved in most of the patients for years through regular exercise and diet.
Alternative Treatments
If there is stretched skin present in good quality, limited fat cumulation and intact abdominal wall, vacuuming of fat can be considered as an alternative for people with normal weight. Diets and exercises may help reducing the total amount of fat in the body, however they are not effective against saggy skin. Risks and unexpected after surgery cases called possible complications also carry the same risks in alternative treatment.
Risks of Abdominoplasty
Each year, hundreds of abdominoplasties are performed. The result is usually satisfying especially when the operation done by an expert plastic surgeon in adjusting body contours. Every surgical operation carries a risk and the important point is that you should understand the risks included in abdominoplasty. Comparison of the risks and benefits is essential for accepting the surgical operation.
You should discuss the risks and possible complications and their results with your surgeon until you are sure that you understand the matter even when many women and men do not encounter with the complications below. Complications such as infection or bleeding is rare for this operation is performed by a plastic surgeon in right hospital conditions.
Infections are treated with antibiotics and if abscess is present it is emptied however the time spent in the hospital may be extended. There may be delay or bad healing in scars and may result in a scar tissue. In this case a second operation may be required. Skin loss and complications in wound healing occure more for smokers.
Long-term Effects
Depending on aging, pregnancy and weight gain/loss, there may be differences in body contours outside the operated area.
