What Is An Abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that helps flatten and shape the abdomen and waist by removing excess fat and skin and tightening muscles.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Abdominoplasty?
The best candidates are in good physical condition with pockets of fat or loose skin that haven’t responded well to diet and exercise. Older, slightly obese people whose skin has lost some of its elasticity generally see the greatest change. Abdominoplasty can also be useful for women with stretched skin and muscles from pregnancy, although results from the procedure will diminish if they continue to bear children. For this reason, we advise women who plan to have children to delay abdominoplasty. Furthermore, we encourage patients planning on major weight loss to wait before undergoing the procedure as skin in that area typically loosens.
What Should I Expect During My Procedure?
The procedure takes approximately two to three hours and utilizes general anesthesia or local anesthesia. Your surgeon will make two incisions: one from hipbone to hipbone close to the pubic area, and one around the navel. They will separate the skin from the abdominal muscles, and then pull the muscles together stitching them into place for a firmer abdomen and narrower waist. The skin then stretches down and over the newly tightened muscles, excess skin removed, and the navel reattached. Finally, the incisions are stitched, dressings applied, and a temporary tube inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.
What Should I Expect During My Abdominoplasty Recovery?
Recovery time ranges from two weeks to a few months, but a balanced diet and exercise create long lasting results. Abdominoplasty will likely leave a permanent, but inconspicuous scar, stretching between the hips below the bikini line. Patients with pre-existing scars should know that their old scars could be raised, stretched or generally more noticeable afterwards. Other, rare post-operative complications include infection, blood clots, and poor healing, which may require further surgery.
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