Tummy Tuck Surgery - Abdominoplasty
Tummy tuck surgery is commonly known as Abdominoplasty. Our abdomens or tummies come in many different shapes and sizes. Many environmental factors affect them such as time, pregnancies, gravity, and these all take their toll on how they look.
Our bodies are three dimensional. Excess sagging tissues often extend from the front to the sides and to the back of the body. Surgery can treat these excess sagging tissues and other arrears from ‘sculpturing’ and leaving particular parts alone.
The tummy tuck surgery type, a patient will receive depends upon the amount of fat deposits they have in their abdominal area. This will also determine which will be the most efficient.
You will find the benefits of the tummy tuck during your initial consultation. The surgeon should carry out a full evaluation of the patient’s health and lifestyle to decide whether a tummy tuck will be the best option.
You Should Disclose All Your Medical History
A patient should be prepared to disclose all their medical history and their expectations. In return the surgeon will be able to explain whether a patient’s expectations are possible.
This is very significant as the more information a patient provides their surgeon, the happier they are likely to be with the results. Another reason for the importance of honestly is due to the Tummy tuck surgery risks and complications.
The surgeon will discuss the finances of the operation along with other features of the surgical procedure during this consultation. The patient will be given instructions based upon their individual conditions to help prepare them for their tummy tuck.
A patient will be given guidelines regarding their diet along with other lifestyle changes that are needed, to prepare for the tummy tuck. These instructions are only temporary although it is necessary to follow them as they help prevent the tummy tuck surgery risk of complications.
Tummy Tuck Surgery Procedure
Tummy tuck surgery takes several hours to perform, though usually the time element depends on how much work needs to be done on the patient. Mini tummy tuck can usually be performed in about two hours and can usually be done under a local or general anaesthetic.
The surgery entails an incision being made across the abdomen from one hip to the other when having a tummy tuck. Just above the pubic bone, this is performed.
Another incision is made to allow the navel to separate from the surrounding tissues, although the size of the incision depends upon how much skin needs to be removed. Depending on whether the tummy tuck is a mini tummy tuck or a full/complete tummy tuck, the incision size changes.
The skin will be detached from the abdominal wall during the surgery whilst the abdominal muscles will be tightened by pulling them closer together and stitching them whilst in the pulled position.
The waistline can be narrowed by this tightening of the abdominal muscles, creating a firmer abdominal wall. The muscles are exposed, when the surgeons make a skin flap that is later stretched down and the extra skin is removed.
During the tummy tuck surgery, the location of the belly button is moved and a new hole is created so that the belly button can be re-stitched into place. With the help of tummy tuck surgery, the effects of pregnancy on the abdomen can be removed.
Tummy Tucks Risks And Complications
As long as the patient understands the risk of complications, tummy tucks can provide very rewarding benefits. It is necessary that a patient knows the risks involves with all surgical procedures and an Abdominoplasty surgeon should be willing to discuss and review the risks with you.
Before the tummy tuck surgery, the surgeon should do a thorough medical examination of his patient to identify whether that patient poses a higher risk for complications.
A tummy tuck operation is performed following the administration of anaesthesia. Anaesthesia in itself carries risks and following the tummy tuck surgery, there is also a risk of infection and blood clots.
Blood Clots
Blood clots are usually avoided by making sure the patient moves around as soon as possible following the tummy tuck surgery. Situation such as poor healing might require another operation and it is advisable to address this with the tummy tuck surgeon before the surgery commences.
An exercise programme will also help with the healig process, reduce the postoperative swelling along with the risk of developing a blood clot.
Scarring After Tummy Tucks Surgery
Any plastic surgery procedure that involved incisions results in some scarring. A scar extending across the lower abdomen and sometimes around the belly button itself can found after tummy tuck surgery.
Everyone is different to each will experience differing healing procedures and some patient’s scars will be less obvious.
All tummy tuck patients have some level of scarring and although they become lighter in time, there will always be some form of scarring that remains. The surgeon will do their best to make sure the incision as in a discreet place to try and conceal them under underwear and bikinis.
Discomfort After Surgery
It is common for a patient to experience a modest amount of discomfort following a tummy tuck procedure. Some patients are released a couple of hours following the procedure although some stay in the clinic/hospital overnight.
It depends upon the amount of work that has been performed. The amount of pain and discomfort that a patient experiences also depends on how tight the inner girdle area is made.
Numbness
Numbness in the abdomen usually lasts up to six months and in some cases, it can last longer. Some swelling may be present although this usually passes within a few days.
The stitches that are used in a tummy tuck procedure will be removed a week following the procedure and the deeper sutures that are used will be removed after a few weeks time.
