Abdominoplasty

You will find in this newletter:
Who Are the Best Candidates For a Tummy Tuck?
Who Should Not Consider a Tummy Tuck?
How a Tummy Tuck is done?
How to Prepare For Tummy Tuck Surgery
Return to living

Introduction
Are sit-ups just not giving you that tummy you desire? If you've got a little too much flab or excess skin in your abdomen that won't diminish with diet or exercise, you may want to consider an abdominoplasty, popularly referred to as a "tummy tuck."

This procedure flattens your abdomen by removing extra fat and skin, and tightening muscles in your abdominal wall.

But be cautioned: This is a major surgery, so if you're considering it, take the time to educate yourself, thoroughly analyze your own situation and do not rush to make the final decision.

A tummy tuck should be the last resort for people who have exhausted all other measures, and the procedure should not be used as an alternative to weight loss. 

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Who Are the Best Candidates For a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is suitable for both men and women who are in good general health overall.
It should not be confused with a liposuction (a cosmetic procedure used to remove fat deposits), although your surgeon may elect to perform liposuction as part of a tummy tuck.

Women who have muscles and skin stretched by multiple pregnancies may find the procedure useful to tighten those muscles and reduce that skin. A tummy tuck is also an alternative for men or women who were obese at one point in their lives and still have excessive fat deposits or loose skin in the abdominal area.
  
Who Should Not Consider a Tummy Tuck?
If you're a woman who is still planning to have children, then you may want to postpone a tummy tuck until you're through bearing children. Here's why: During surgery, your vertical muscles are tightened. Future pregnancies can separate these muscles.

Are you still planning to lose a lot of weight? Then you do not want to consider a tummy tuck.
It's important to note that a tummy tuck can cause prominent, permanent scarring. If this is something you don't want, you may want to reconsider. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will discuss all these options with you when you go for the consultation.

How a Tummy Tuck is done?
Depending on your desired results, this cosmetic surgery can take anywhere from one to five hours. The complexity of your particular situation also will determine whether you have it completed as an in-patient or outpatient procedure.

You will receive local anesthesia, which will put you to sleep during the operation. It's important to have someone with you who can drive you home.

There are two options for a tummy tuck. You and your surgeon will discuss your desired results, and he or she will determine the appropriate procedure during your consultation.

• Complete abdominoplasty. Your abdomen will be cut from hipbone to hipbone in this procedure, this option is for those patients who require the most correction. The incision will be made low, at about the same level as your pubic hair.

Your surgeon will then manipulate and contour the skin, tissue and muscle as needed. Your belly button will have a new opening if you undergo this procedure, because it's necessary to free your navel from surrounding tissue. Drainage tubes may be placed under your skin and these will be removed in a few days as your surgeon sees fit.

• Partial or mini abdominoplasty. Mini-abdominoplasties are often performed on patients whose fat deposits are located below the navel and require shorter incisions.
During this procedure, your belly button most likely will not be moved. Your skin will be separated between the line of incision and your belly button. This type of surgery may also be performed with an endoscope (small camera on the end of a tube). The procedure takes up to two hours, again, depending on your own personal situation and the complexity of your needs.
 
How to Prepare For Tummy Tuck Surgery
If you smoke, you will have to stop for a certain period as determined by your doctor. You must stop completely for at least two weeks prior to surgery. Smoking can increase the risk of complications and delay healing.

Make sure you eat well-balanced, complete meals and do not try to diet excessively before the surgery. Proper nutrition plays a key role in healing properly.

If you take certain medications, your surgeon may instruct you to stop taking these for a certain period before and after the surgery. Your surgeon will determine this as part of your pre-operative consultation.
Before undergoing the surgery, you'll need to get your home ready for your post-operative care. Your home recovery area should include:

• Supply of loose, comfortable clothing that can be taken on and off very easily
• Telephone within reaching distance
• Hand-held shower head and bathroom chair

You know yourself best, so make sure you set up the safest, most comfortable recovery area before you undergo the surgery to meet your personal needs.

Return to living
Generally, most people love the new look after they’ve undergone this procedure; however, you may not feel like your normal self for months after the surgery. You’ve gone through a tremendous amount to make this happen. It is a big commitment, emotionally, physically, and financially. It is very important that you follow proper diet and exercise to maintain your new look.