Abdominoplasty Photo Gallery
An incision just above the pubic area is used to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen.
Skin is separated from the abdominal wall all the way up to the ribs.
The surgeon draws underlying muscle and tissue together and stitches them, thereby narrowing the waistline and strengthening the abdominal wall.
Abdominal skin is drawn down and excess is removed. With complete abdominoplasty, a new opening is cut for the navel. Both incisions are stitched closed.
After surgery, the patient has a flatter, trimmer abdomen. Scars are permanent, but will fade with time.
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Abdominoplasty
If you're considering abdominoplasty...
Abdominoplasty, known more commonly as a "tummy tuck," is a major surgical procedure to remove excess skin
and fat from the middle and lower abdominal and to tighten the muscles of the abdomen wall. The procedure
can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. But bear in mind, it does produce a permanent
scar, which, depending on the extent of the original problem and the surgery required to correct it, can
extend from hip to hip.
If you're considering abdominoplasty, this 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, since
a lot depends on the individual patient and the surgeon. Please ask your surgeon about anything you don't understand.
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 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 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 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.
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 your surgeon if you smoke,
and if you're taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs.
Be frank in discussing your expectations with your surgeon. He or she should be equally frank with you,
describing your alternatives and the risks and limitations of each.
If, for example, your fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex
procedure called a partial abdominoplasty, also know as a mini-tummy tuck, which can often be performed on an
outpatient basis. You may, on the other hand, benefit more from partial or complete 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 should work with you to recommend the procedure that is right for you and will
come closest to producing the desired body contour.
During the consultation, your surgeon should also explain the anesthesia he or she will use, the type
of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the costs involved. In most cases, health insurance
policies do not cover 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 taking or
avoiding certain vitamins, and medications.
If you smoke, plan to quit at least one to two weeks before your surgery and not to resume for at
least two weeks after your surgery. Avoid overexposure to the sun before surgery, especially to your
abdomen, and 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 will probably be postponed.
Whether your surgery is done on an outpatient or inpatient basis, you should arrange for someone
to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a day or two after you leave the hospital, if needed.
Where your surgery will be performed
Many surgeons perform both partial and complete abdominoplasties in an outpatient surgical center or an
office-based facility. Others prefer the hospital, where their patients can stay for several days.
Types of anesthesia
Your doctor may select general anesthesia, so you'll sleep through the operation.
Other surgeons use local anesthesia, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You'll be awake
but relaxed, and your abdominal region will be insensitive to pain. (However, you may feel some
tugging or occasional discomfort.)
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.
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 to six months as they heal, but this is normal.
Expect it to take nine months to a year before your scars flatten out and lighten in color. While they'll never
disappear completely, abdominal scars will not show under most clothing, even under bathing suits.
Your new look
Abdominoplasty, whether partial or complete, 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 a permanent scar and
a lengthy recovery period, abdominoplasty may be just the answer for you.
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