Abdominoplasty (Tummy tuck)

 

Vogue - January 2008

Dr. Tavakoli discusses one of the most common reasons for women seeing him for a consultation; their desire to return to their pre pregnancy shape following childbirth...

 

Abdominoplasty

Body sculpting refers to changes to improve a woman's figure in a curvaceous way and add to the length of her legs in a more shapely way. Figurative representation is a foundation of human artistic endeavour and so with liposculpture, abdominoplasty and breast enhancement the aim is always to create harmony and balance.

ABDOMINOPLASTY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

WHAT IS AN ABDOMINOPLASTY?

Abdominoplasty is an operation designed to improve the appearance of an abdomen that may be overly protruding or may have excess loose skin and fat. There are variations of the standard abdominoplasty operation including "mini-tucks" which may be of benefit to patients who require only tightening of the abdominal muscles or removal of a small amount of skin. On the other hand, patients with massive weight loss may require a more extensive abdominoplasty operation.

Who can benefit from this Abdominoplasty surgery?

1. Patients who are healthy but have excess skin or fat that does not respond to diet and exercise.
2. Patients who have undergone significant weight loss and have hanging skin.
3. Women with loose skin and stretch marks following pregnancy.
4. In older patients, loss of skin elasticity.

HOW IS THE ABDOMINOPLASTY OPERATION DONE?

Abdominoplasty is always performed under general anaesthesia.  An incision is then made across the lower part of the abdomen. A circular incision is made around the navel that stays attached to the muscle. The skin is then separated from the muscle, up toward the ribs, so that it can be pulled down like a window shade. The tummy is then "tightened" (narrowing and flattening the abdomen) by stitching the muscles together.

Mini-tummy tucks can benefit patients who have a small amount of excess skin and fat or protruding of the lower abdomen. Mini-abdominoplasty does not usually involve moving the navel position. A technique of "floating” the navel is utilized.

Liposuction is almost always used in conjunction with a tummy tuck to benefit patients. Liposculpture is the technique of removing excess fat from certain areas of the body and injecting the harvested fat into adjacent areas in order to create shape and contour. The best example of this technique would be the sculpting of the buttocks region. Traditional liposuction removed the deep fat but the new technique of superficial liposculpture takes only the superficial fat. By removing the superficial layer, the skin is allowed to move freely as an independent entity and hence resume the new shape that the surgeon intends to provide.

 

WHAT KIND OF ANAESTHETIC IS USED IN THE ABDOMINOPLASTY OPERATION?

A general anaesthetic is most common, although mini-tucks may be done with local anaesthetic and intravenous sedation. Standard abdominoplasty generally requires a short "hospitalisation" of one to two days.

WHAT ARE MY LIMITATIONS IN ACTIVITY POSTOPERATIVELY?

After abdominoplasty surgery, the bed will be positioned so that you are bent at the hips (waist) to keep tension off the newly tightened skin. Within 24 hours, you will be walking in a bent-over position. Although strenuous activity and lifting more than 4 kilograms must be avoided for six weeks, some people can return to work and daily activities as soon as two weeks after surgery.
Patients can commence jogging after 2 weeks. Serious weight work out and strenuous activity is usually avoided for 6 weeks.
Softening of the surgical scars, return of sensation, and loosening of the tight sensation may take 6-12 months.

WILL MEDICARE/ HEALTH FUND PAY FOR MY ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY?

In general, "tummy tucks" are considered cosmetic surgery. Several conditions, however, may be covered completely or in part, by insurance. These include defects of the abdominal wall, such as hernias, diastasis (separation of the muscles), or trauma resulting in muscle loss, weakness, or painful scar contracture. In addition, a large abdominal panniculus, frequently seen after massive weight loss, is removed for purely functional reasons, and therefore should be a covered expense.

Surgical risks may include: infection, bleeding, asymmetry, scarring, and muscle and/or nerve damage. Delayed wound healing and seroma (fluid collection) can be troublesome in tummy tuck procedures, especially in smokers.

To contact Dr Tavakoli and find out more about Abdominoplasty (Tummy tuck) please click here.

 

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