Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure to remove the excess of “wrinkled” skin and fatty tissue from the middle and lower abdomen. It can remove the wrinkled skin, strengthen the abdominal muscles and flatten the lower abdomen.
PREOPERATIVE CONSIDERATIONS
Consulting a plastic surgeon is the first step if you are considering abdominoplasty. The patient will have to talk openly about his expectations about how he will look and feel after the operation, while we know the desired result is to improve the image and not the perfection. After examination, the surgeon will explain the factors involved in the procedure, such as: age, skin tone and physical construction. Patients with relatively normal weight and excess skin and body fat are the best candidates. Abdominoplasty is not a substitute for reducing your weight, as well as treating minor skin wrinkles. However, very often, diet and sports can not correct certain situations, especially when the muscles, as well as the skin are loose, as it occurs in the case of multiple pregnancies. Loss of skin elasticity that occurs with obesity in elderly patients is another quality that can be improved. When excessive weight loss leads to the appearance of abdominal skin folds, another procedure called panniculectomy or lipectomy is performed.
If the patient’s condition is complicated by a hernia, a general surgeon can assist the plastic surgeon in this operation. An umbilical hernia can be corrected by a plastic surgeon at the same time with the abdominoplasty. During the first consultation, the surgeon will explain the specifics of your case, the surgical procedure, the anesthesia used, where the surgery will take place, and what is being done through it. The auxiliary factors that need to be considered preoperatively, such as the risks and costs, will be discussed at the same time. Every year, thousands of abdominoplasties are performed successfully, yet you need to be aware of the potential risks and complications associated with surgery. The appearance of the infection and the hematoma is quite rare. Slow healing leading to vicious scars will require a second intervention. Smokers will be warned that nicotine will delay healing. Risks can be minimized by strictly following the instructions given by your surgeon. Because abdominoplasty is usually not a compulsory surgery, insurance does not cover expenses. If surgery is deemed necessary to correct a disability, the surgeon may recommend that surgery be totally or partially covered by insurance.
SURGICAL PROCEDURE
Abdominoplasty is usually performed to remove excess skin from the abdomen and abdominal muscles gathering. Extending the procedure depends on what you want, and what your surgeon thinks fit. Abdominoplasty is usually performed with general anesthesia and requires hospitalization. There are several surgical approaches for abdominoplasty. The most commonly used technique is with an incision along the lower abdomen above the pubic hair. The 2nd incision is made to release the navel of the surrounding skin. The skin is removed from the abdominal wall up to the lower edge of the chest. Tissues left on the right abdominal muscle will be bent to the median line and sutured. It strengthens the muscles, narrows the waist and produces firmness of the abdominal wall. The removed skin is pulled down and the excess is excised. The surgeon makes a slight opening for the navel and repositions it. The incisions are sutured and then an elastic bandage is applied.
POSTOPERATIVE RECOVERY
After surgery, there is a slight feeling of discomfort and weakness that can be easily removed by medication. The patient will remain hospitalized for 2-3 days with hips flexed to reduce tension in the abdominal region. The dressing is changed before discharge. The patient will wear an elastic bust for 2-3 months. The elimination of the skin “apron” and the excess of fatty tissue leads to a flatter, more firm appearance of the abdomen and to the narrowing of the waist. Although the surgeon is doing everything possible to minimize scarring, it is permanent, but in 3-6 months it will blush in color and flatten. Even though you will get up in a day or two after surgery, the surgeon will advise you about the time for resuming your work. To allow proper healing, you will avoid physical strain for 3-4 weeks. The decision to resume your work depends on the rhythm of healing and how you feel.
