Abdominoplasty

A tummy tuck is one of the most pleasing and satisfying ways to revitalize and rejuvenate your appearance. The abdomen, or stomach area, is one of the most difficult places on the body for both men and women to lose weight. A large fat deposit and loose skin in this part of the body bothers many people.

Loose skin can be especially so for women whose skin and muscle has been stretched by pregnancy. Weight gain followed by a significant loss in weight can be another reason why the abdomen becomes rounded with loose and sometimes overhanging skin. An abdominoplasty is designed to give you a smoother, flatter stomach and a sleeker, sexier shape.

A tummy tuck incision is usually made in the bikini line just above the hair line and around the umbilicus. Or depending on your particular requirements, your surgeon may discuss with you a need for a vertical scar. Excess skin and fat from the middle and lower area of the abdomen is removed during the procedure and the muscles of the abdominal wall are tightened.

Depending on the amount of fat, shape of the abdomen, looseness of the skin, and strength of the muscles underneath the skin, a less aggressive procedure known as liposuction may be recommended by a surgeon. Liposuction simply sucks the fat out from underneath the skin.

If your fat deposits are only in the area below the navel, you may require a less complex procedure called a partial abdominoplasty, or 'mini-tummy tuck'. You may, on the other hand, benefit more from partial or complete abdominoplasty done at the same time as liposuction to remove fat deposits from the hips, for a better bodyshape. Or maybe liposuction alone would create the best result for you. Book your abdominoplasty consultation

An abdominoplasty is performed under a general anaesthetic and will take 2 to 5 hours depending on the type of abdominoplasty.

Partial abdominoplasty:
A large incision is made which runs across the lower abdomen, just above the pubic area. The skin is then separated from the abdominal wall between the incision above the pubic hair right up to the navel. Fat deposits are removed and the skin is stretched down to the incision line, with the excess skin removed before it is restitched.

Full Abdominoplasty:
A large incision is made which runs across the lower abdomen, usually from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. A second incision is then made to free the navel or tummy button from surrounding tissue. Next the skin is separated from the abdominal wall all the way up to the ribcage to reveal the abdominal muscles. Fat deposits are removed and the muscles are tightened. The navel is repositioned.

Dissolving stitches will be used during your abdominoplasty and draining tubes will be placed. These draining tubes will remain until significant drainage ceases and before your discharge from hospital.

Firm elastic bandages will be applied to support the area and a special individually sized garment will be given to you to wear. You must keep your dressings intact and wear your garment all the time until your first follow-up visit.

• Your abdominal skin will feel tight and you are usually unable to stand up straight for several days following your abdominoplasty.
  
  
• Bruising may last for several weeks and post-operative swelling may last for several months.
  
  
• Moderate exercise such as walking or swimming is recommended 4 weeks post surgery.
  
  
• Avoid vigorous exercise, including lifting of heavy shopping bags for example, for 6 weeks following your abdominoplasty.
  
  
• Numbness can be expected in the lower abdominal skin. This invariably lasts for 3 -6 months but may be permanent.
  Depending on the individual, you may return to work after 10 days.
  
  
• Occasional mild infections occur, which invariably respond to a short course of antibiotics.
  
  
• Very rarely, delayed healing, skin loss or poor scars may require revision of your procedure.
  
  
• Very rarely, serious infection or haematoma (blood collection) may occure which will require drainage.
  

• Make sure that you have someone to take you home and who can look after you for at least a couple of days following this procedure
  
  
• A firm garment such as cycling shorts or girdle type pants, must be worn for 6 weeks every day and night, and then for another 6 weeks during the day.
  
  
• To help care for your scar, apply Micropore tape (1 inch) along the scar for 3 months to help with scar softening. Vit E creams may also be gently massaged into your scar.
  
  
• Use recommended painkillers as required.
  
  
• Contacting your surgeon immediately if you notice any signs of infection or if you experience bleeding or a sudden increase in pain.
  
  
• We recommend using Kelocote for better quaility scars. Please visit www.kelocote.com to order this product. Clients of the Nip n Tuck Surgery will be entitled to a discount.