Abdominoplasty, also known as a "tummy tuck," refers to the surgical removal of excess fat and skin from your abdominal region. The abdominal muscles are also usually tightened as part of the procedure to make the midsection appear more toned. A doctor may perform abdominoplasty surgery for a variety of reasons.
Procedure
An abdominoplasty begins with an incision from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. The skin is lifted away from the muscle, all the way up to the rib area. If necessary, the abdominal muscles are tightened as the skin is lifted. The belly button is also cut free from the skin to remain in place. The surgeon pulls the flap of skin downward to the desired tightness, and the excess is removed.
Candidates
Abdominolasty can be performed on men or women, and is usually considered a cosmetic surgery. You may be eligible if you have lost considerable abdominal tone due to surgeries, have excess skin due to weight loss or abdominal weight gain from pregnancy. If you are a smoker or have underlying medical problems, you may not be a candidate.
Weight Loss
An abdominoplasty may result in weight loss in many cases if a lot of fat and excess skin are removed during the procedure. However, abdominoplasty is not a treatment for obesity. Your surgeon can reshape your abdominal region if it is resistant to other weight loss efforts, but as a weight loss method on its own, the surgery is not recommended.
Risks
As with any surgery, risks are involved when you have an abdominoplasty performed. Potential problems include bleeding, scarring, pain, infection, numbness, swelling and your skin loosening again, causing the need for revisions.
Recovery
An abdominoplasty requires an overnight stay in the hospital and an average four-week recovery time. After the surgery, drains are placed in your incision that will need to be managed during recovery. Your doctor may prescribe an abdominal binder for you to wear. You can usually begin moderate exercise of the upper body and legs about one month after surgery.
Member Comments