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Women
and men who have loose abdominal skin
and fat that is concentrated in the abdomen
can benefit from abdominoplasty. Sometimes
these conditions are inherited. In other
instances, substantial weight loss may
cause abdominal skin to become flaccid.
Abdominoplasty also can tighten muscles
that have been separated and weakened
by pregnancy. The procedure may somewhat
improve the appearance of stretch marks,
especially those located below the navel.
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| Am
I a good candidate for abdominoplasty? You
may be a good candidate for abdominoplasty
if you have one or more of the following
conditions: |
·
Excess or sagging abdominal skin
· An abdomen that protrudes and
is out of proportion to the rest of your
body
· Abdominal muscles that have been
separated and weakened
· Excess fatty tissue that is concentrated
in your abdomen If you plan to become pregnant or lose weight in the future,
you should discuss this with me before
surgery. Scarring from previous abdominal
surgery may limit the results of your
abdominoplasty.
Your Personal Consultation During the
consultation, you will be asked about
the results you would like to achieve
from abdominoplasty.
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This
will help me to understand your expectations
and determine whether they realistically
can be achieved. |
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How
will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for
abdominoplasty?
I
may examine your abdomen while you are
standing as well as lying down. Your skin
tone and the degree of loose skin in the
abdominal region will be assessed. I also
will evaluate the amount of excess fat
in your abdomen and the condition of your
abdominal muscles. You should come to
the consultation prepared to discuss your
medical history. This will include information
about any medical conditions, drug allergies,
medical treatments you have received,
pregnancies, previous surgeries and medications
that you currently take. It is important
for you to provide complete information.
How
Abdominoplasty Is Performed Individual
factors and personal preferences will
determine the specific technique selected
to smooth and flatten your abdomen.
Generally,
a horizontal incision is placed just within
or above the pubic area. If there is loose
skin above the navel, the surgeon may
make a second incision around the navel.
Skin is separated from the abdominal wall.
To tighten the abdominal wall, the surgeon
brings loose underlying tissue and muscle
together with sutures. Abdominal skin
is pulled downward, and the excess is
removed. A small opening is made to bring
the navel through.
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1. Generally
a horizontal incision is placed just
within or above the pubic - area.
The length of the incision varies
by patient depending on the amount
of skin to be removed. In patients
with larger amount of loose skin,
a second incision may be made around
the navel. Excess skin above the navel
is separated from the deeper tissues
so it can be pulled downward and removed. |
| 2. After
few months, your incision will
begin to fade and you'll see
a truer picture of the final
result of the surgery. |
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Where are the incisions placed?
Generally,
a horizontal incision is placed just within
or above the pubic area. The length of
the incision, which extends laterally
toward the pelvic bones, depends largely
on the amount of skin to be removed. The
contour of this incision will vary somewhat
according to the structure of your abdomen
and the style of bathing suit or undergarments
that you prefer. Your plastic surgeon
will try to keep the incision within your
bathing suit lines, but this may not always
be possible.
Some
patients have loose skin above the navel.
In such cases, I may make a second incision
around the navel so that the redundant
skin above it can be pulled down. The
excess abdominal skin is then removed.
The position of the navel remains unchanged.
Skin of the lower abdomen that contains
stretch marks may be removed as well.
Any remaining stretch marks may be somewhat
flattened and improved, but you should
not expect a dramatic change in their
appearance. The procedure may include
tightening of the underlying abdominal
muscles using sutures.
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What
are some variations to the common abdominoplasty
technique?
There
are many variations both to the design
of the incisions and the technique itself.
In some instances, it may be possible
to avoid an incision around the navel.
When the amount of loose skin is minimal
and the excess fat deposits are located
below the navel, a short horizontal incision
is all that is necessary. This procedure
is called a partial, or "mini,"
abdominoplasty. Sometimes liposuction
may be used alone, or in conjunction with
abdominoplasty, to remove abdominal fat.
I
will discuss with you the particular method
that I recommends for achieving the best
result in your particular case.
Understanding
Risks Fortunately, significant complications
from abdominoplasty are infrequent. Every
year, many thousands of people undergo
successful aesthetic surgery of the abdomen,
experience no major problems and are pleased
with the results. Anyone considering surgery,
however, should be aware of both the benefits
and risks
.I
understand that every surgical procedure
has risks, but how will I learn more so
that I can make an informed decision?
The
subject of risks and potential complications
of surgery is best discussed on a personal
basis between you and myself. Some of
the potential complications that may be
discussed with you include bleeding, infection
and reactions to anesthesia. Tissue loss
along portions of the horizontal incision
is a possibility when the abdominoplasty
is very extensive. This complication,
which delays healing and prolongs recovery,
is more common in patients who smoke or
have medical conditions such as diabetes.
Reversionary surgery is sometimes helpful
in certain instances where incisions may
have healed poorly. Following surgery,
occasionally, fluid may accumulate under the skin. Removal of this serum is a painless
process but may require several visits
to the plastic surgeon's office. You can
help to lessen certain risks by following
the advice and instructions of your plastic
surgeon, both before and after surgery.
Your Surgical Experience The goal of your
plastic surgeon and the entire staff is
to make your surgical experience as easy
and comfortable for you as possible.
How
should I prepare for surgery?
If
you are a smoker, you will be asked to
stop smoking well in advance of surgery.
Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory
drugs can cause increased bleeding, so
you should avoid taking these medications
for a period of time before surgery. Your
surgeon will provide you with additional
preoperative instructions. Abdominoplasty
may be performed on an outpatient basis.
If this is the case, be sure to arrange
for someone to drive you home after surgery
and to stay with you for at least the
next day or two. When abdominoplasty is
performed in conjunction with medically
necessary procedures such as hysterectomy
or hernia repair, a short hospitalization may be required.
What
will the day of surgery be like?
Your
abdominoplasty will be performed in a
hospital. Medications are administered
for your comfort during the surgical procedure.
A general anesthetic is administered,
so that you will be asleep throughout
the procedure. When surgery is completed,
you will be taken into a recovery area
where you will continue to be closely
monitored. In many instances, small drain
tubes will have been placed within the
abdominal tissues to help avoid accumulation
of fluids. Gauze or other dressings may
be applied to your abdomen and covered
with tape or an elastic bandage. You will
stay in the hospital for couple of nights.
How
will I look and feel initially?
The
day after surgery, you will be encouraged
to get out of bed for short walks to promote
blood circulation. Although you may not
be able to stand up completely straight,
it is best if you do not sit for long
periods of time during the first several
days. Straining, bending and lifting must
be avoided; since these activities might
cause increased swelling or even bleeding.
You may be instructed to sleep on your
back with a pillow under your knees. Any
surgical drains probably will be removed
within a week following surgery, at which
time your dressings may also be changed
or removed.
Depending
on the abdominoplasty technique used,
you may be instructed to wear a support
garment for several weeks. Generally,
stitches will be removed in stages over
a period of approximately one or two weeks.
You will notice swelling and bruising,
which is to be expected. The bruising
and much of the swelling will disappear
over a period of weeks. However, it may
be months before all swelling subsides
and you see the final result of your abdominoplasty.
You may also notice some numbness over
portions of the abdominal area, and this
may persist for several months. Incisions
will initially be red or pink in color.
They will remain this way for many months following surgery and may even appear
to worsen before they finally begin to
fade.
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When
can I resume my normal activities?
It
is important to realize that the amount
of time it takes for recovery varies greatly
among individuals. Depending on the extent
of your abdominoplasty and your general
physical condition, you may be able to
return to non-strenuous work anywhere
from one to three weeks after surgery.
In many instances, you can resume most
of your normal activities, including some
form of mild exercise, after a few weeks.
You may continue to experience some mild,
periodic discomfort and swelling during
this time, but such feelings are normal.
Severe pain should be reported to your
doctor. Any sexual activity should be
avoided for a minimum of two weeks, and
your plastic surgeon may advise you to
wait longer.
Results
of Your Abdominoplasty
will enhance your body contour by making
your abdomen firmer and flatter. You may
find that you feel more comfortable in
your clothing and are more confident about
your appearance. The incisions from the
procedure will heal and fade over time.
It is important to realize, however, that
the incision lines will be permanently
visible. In some instances, they will
eventually be only faint lines. Certain
individuals may have incision lines that
are more noticeable. Fortunately, the
incisions for your abdominoplasty are
usually in locations concealed by most
bathing suits and undergarments. |
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How
long will the results last?
Unless
you gain or lose a significant amount
of weight or become pregnant, your abdomen
should remain firmer and flatter for many
years. However, gravity and the effects
of aging will eventually take their toll.
If, after a period of years, you again
become dissatisfied with the appearance
of your abdomen, you may choose to undergo
a second procedure to restore a more youthful
body contour.
Maintaining
a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon
You
will return to my office for follow-up
care at prescribed intervals. Please remember
that the relationship with your plastic
surgeon does not end when you leave the
operating room. If you have questions
or concerns during your recovery, or need
additional information at a later time,
you should contact your surgeon. |
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