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What is Abdominoplasty?
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Am I candidate for Abdominoplasty?
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When is Abdominoplasty usually performed?
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What does a typical Abdominoplasty consultation entail?
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How is Abdominoplasty performed?
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What are the different techniques for Abdominoplasty?
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What should I expect post-operatively?
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Is there much pain associated with Abdominoplasty?
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Where are the scars located involving Abdominoplasty?
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Is there a lot of swelling involved with Abdominoplasty?
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When can I return to work?
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When will I be able to see the results?
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What are the risks of Abdominoplasty?
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What is Arnica montana, I have heard that it reduces swelling and
bruising?
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How long does an Abdominoplasty last?
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What about Bromelain?
Does
this help with swelling and bruising as well?
Return
to the Abdominoplasty Page
Abdominoplasty, also known as a Tummy Tuck or simply
TT, is the surgery of the abdomen
to remove the excess skin and fat that may accumulate after pregnancy, obesity
or age. With a full abdominoplasty, benefits are also tightening of
the abdominal muscles that may have become stretched out or lax over time.
Even a new belly button can be obtained as a result! If you have an outtie or even an
innie -- the opposite can be acquired
to go along with your new, taut stomach! This isn't a simple procedure and you
should definitely be aware of the risks and post-operative care and attendance
that will be needed.
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First and foremost, an
individual must be in good health, not have any active diseases or
serious, pre-existing medical conditions and must have realistic
expectations of the outcome of their surgery. Communication is
crucial in reaching one's goals. You must be able to voice your desires to
your surgeon if he/she is to understand what your desired results are.
Discuss you goals with your surgeon so that you may reach an understanding
with what can realistically be achieved.
You must be mentally
and emotionally stable to undergo an cosmetic procedure. This is an
operation which requires patience and stability in dealing with the
healing period. There is sometimes a lull or depression after
surgery and if there is already a pre-existing emotional problem, this low
period can develop into a more serious issue. Please consider this
before committing to a procedure. If the above describes you and you have
the desire to rid yourself of loose sagging skin of the abdominal area,
you may be a good candidate for Abdominoplasty. An ideal
patient would have incredibly elastic skin. But, of course, we human
beings are never ideal. But good elasticity certainly helps!
Normally women seek this
procedure after pregnancy - although it is advised to wait until you
are finished having children to have this procedure as the skin and muscles
can get stretched out again as well as the dangers of your newly taut skin being
unable to accommodate another pregnancy.
Also, if you are considering
losing weight you should wait until after your desired weight is met. You
may need additional surgery to remove the excess skin after you have lost the
desired weight which would mean that the money spent on the previous
abdominoplasty would be wasted and your skin can only be stretched so much.
The Abdominoplasty procedure is
usually performed when a person is discontent with their appearance in the
abdomen region. Although there is no normal age or time in
one's life (after 18), it is most often sought out after a woman has given birth
and does not plan on having any more children. The reason that not having
additional children is an important factor is that after the extra skin and
muscle tissue is removed, the abdomen may not be able to accommodate another
child. The skin could quite literally split.
Although this probability will be individual-dependent. Mini tummy tucks
are considered less invasive and are for minimal correction cases.
The surgeon will measure your
abdomen and general torso region for an idea of an ideal abdomen size for you.
Between pictures that you have brought in and with the information of how many
children you have had, the two of you will set realistic goals on what is and
isn't possible with an Abdominoplasty. You must remember that no amount of
surgery can restore your skin to its former condition.
Abdominoplasty is performed most
commonly under General Anesthesia or Light Sleep IV Sedation. Local
anesthesia is then used to numb the abdomen. The operation is performed by
making an incision in the lower abdomen just above the pubis. The incision
may go from hip to hip. It is placed in the bikini line so that it is well
hidden. The skin and fat is dissected off of the abdominal muscles all the
way up to the bottom of the rib cage. The belly button is separated from
the skin and most frequently all the skin and fat below the belly button is
removed. Sometimes, sutures are placed on the muscles of the abdominal
wall to tighten one side of the abdomen to the other and thereby flatten the
abdomen remarkably. The skin above the belly button is drawn down to the
pubis and sutured into position. A new hole is placed in the skin and the
belly button is positioned in about the same spot that it existed before
surgery. Your new tummy is then sutured into position. One or two drains
are placed under the skin and rest on the abdominal muscle. The drain(s) exit
below the incision on the pubis.
|
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|
Above is a photo of
a visitor with a drain connected to a negative pressure
"grenade". These help with drainage and are worn until your
surgeon removes them. This visitor also has Steri-Strips™
on her incision which are believed to help flatten the scars and keep
them from stretching. The thicker "belt" of gauze is
what is suspending the drains. |
The different techniques
pertaining to Abdominoplasty consist of the different incision shapes and
placement. Although most surgeons attempt to place the incisions in the
most inconspicuous area, some surgeons may not, so please discuss this with your
surgeon beforehand. Some surgeons go completely horizontal and straight
across, some use a 'V' shape, some a 'W' shape and still others follow along the
bikini line. In my opinion an incision following the bikini line is
the optimum for concealment purposes although your body's needs will determine
the incision placement.
You are usually able to walk
immediately after surgery and is in fact encouraged to do so 3 or 4 times per
day for 1 to 2 minutes each time. However, you will more than likely not be
able to stand up straight, more of a hunched over type of posture. The
skin of the abdomen will be quite tight and you are usually instructed to remain
bent over at least 45 degrees for the first 4 to 5 days after surgery.
Patients will often note some back discomfort due to the 45 degree positioning
for 4 to 5 days after surgery so ask your surgeon about muscle relaxants or valium.
The drains that have been placed
will generally be removed 4 to
14 days after surgery. At the end of 4 days
the patient may begin to straighten up and by six days post-op may or may not be
fully straight. You should take it easy for at least two weeks after
surgery. While the drains are in, you will be on bed rest with a very
small amount of walking as outline above. However if your drains are in
for an extended amount of time, you will of course not be expected to sit in bed
all day. An abdominal pressure garment may be placed around you during one
of your post-operative appointments and you may be instructed to wear this for 3
to 6 weeks.
Some swelling and discoloration are normal but generally this is minimal.
Of course this is dependent upon the individual.
The amount of pain associated
with this procedure is quite variable. Some patients note a moderate
amount of discomfort and for some it is more intense. But certainly there
is some discomfort. Patients will often note some back discomfort due to
the 45 degree positioning for 4
to 5 days after surgery. Valium is sometimes
given to alleviate muscle spasms of the back and for relaxation and a sleep aid,
in general.
This is not a scar-free surgery; in fact the
scars may be quite severe depending upon the amount of skin needed to be
removed, your body's ability to heal, if you scar well, the skill of the surgeon
and the technique utilized. Most surgeons choose to offer their patients
lesser scarring techniques that leave a well-hidden horizontal or slightly bowed
scar which can be covered by a standard bikini. Be sure to discuss the
incision types, techniques and placements with your surgeon at your
consultation. Ideally, no scar would be wonderful, but that isn't possible
-- yet.
There is a bit of swelling
involved with an Abdominoplasty. You must take into account that
Abdominoplasty is surgery and with this type of surgery and depending
upon the case, a lot of tissue is removed.
Abdominoplasty is a very
slow-to-heal-completely procedure. While the drains are in, the patient
will be on bed rest with a very small amount of walking as outlined
above. An abdominal pressure garment may be placed around you during one
of your post-operative appointments and you may be instructed to wear this for 3
to 6 weeks. Most patients can and do return to work after 2 weeks.
You simply should not have to sit at a desk for 8 hours after having had an
Abdominoplasty.
After the swelling subsides and
the drains are taken out you will start to see a difference. You must
realize that the underlying tissues have been cut and that an Abdominoplasty is
considered a very invasive procedure. Give your body time to heal and you
will reap the many benefits of the procedure.
Of course, as with any surgery
under anesthesia, there are risks that primarily are the sole responsibility of
the anesthetic. Please see our Anesthesia Section for more information.
here are more risks with
Abdominoplasty due to the fat and its surrounding tissues becoming necrotic
(dead tissue). If the fat becomes necrotic from lack of blood supply, the
fat tends to turn orange-ish clear and a little may drain from the incision.
Although this is very normal to have fluid this color drain from the incision.
There will be fat damage, there will be fluid retention, and there will be
blood-tinted drainage.
If the tissue becomes
necrotic, or you have a massive die off of fat cells that's a completely
different story. You must have the tissue removed before a major
infection develops, possibly causing gangrene. This is extremely rare and
taking precautions can certainly make a difference. Such as not smoking,
proper wound care and proper surgeon selection with a sterile, accredited
surgical suite or accredited hospital.
Sometimes Liposuction is part of
the Abdominoplasty procedure. Even with the ultrasonic technique, patients
have been known to receive actual burns from the ultrasonic technique. The
fat is actually melted within the body by 'exciting' the fat molecules with high
frequency radio waves and is suctioned out. There may be asymmetry,
hyperpigmentation (permanent dark spots) from the bruising. Major blood
loss is a factor is some cases. As is hematoma and infection. Just
remember, Abdominoplasty or Liposuction is NOT the way to lose weight.
Another risk of
Abdominoplasty is pulmonary Thromboemboli. A thromboebolus
is a blood clot and this blood clot can break free and travel to the lungs
resulting in pulmonary Thromboemboli. This can put a patient into adult
breathing distress and subsequently into cardiac arrest or coma
-- leading to
the patient becoming 'brain dead' shortly thereafter or in a vegetative state
from loss of oxygen to the brain. Pulmonary Thromboemboli can happen
within three (3) weeks of the surgery but will most likely show symptoms of
shortness of breath and fatigue within the first 72 hours. However,
pulmonary Thromboemboli can occur suddenly, without warning. Most patients
with P.E. collapse and begin rapid deterioration after attempting to climb a
flight of stairs. Please see our Abdominoplasty
Risks Section for more information.
also known as: Mountain
Tobacco, Mountain Arnica, Common Arnica, Leopard's Bane and Sneezewort
plant family: Asteraceae
type: Herbaceous perennial
parts used: Roots and flowers
description: Arnica montana or Leopard's Bane is a perennial herb,
growing close to the ground. The leaves form a flat rosette, from the center of
which rises a flower stalk, 1 to 2 feet high, bearing orange-yellow flowers. The
rhizome is dark brown, cylindrical, usually curved, and bears brittle wiry
rootlets on the under surface.
habitat: Indigenous to Central Europe, in woods and mountain pastures,
although it has been found in England and Southern Scotland.
warning: This herb should NEVER be taken in raw form. This plant, like
many medicinal plants if ingested, can cause intestinal bleeding, abdominal
cramping and sickness. Homeopathy is the medicinal use of tinctures and
suspensions using herbs and other plants and should never be consumed without
proper preparation. Only respectable homeopathic remedies and tinctures should
be consumed.
Read more on Arnica
Montana? & Bromelain?
This procedure can
last for many, many years. If there are no large weight gains, and no
pregnancies after the tummy tuck then the changes will be relatively permanent.
Certainly some relaxation of the tissues can reoccur but not to the extent prior
to surgery.
