Regain - Get Back Your Shape With Abdominoplasty Surgery

abdominoplasty

What is an abdominoplasty?

An abdominoplasty (or Tummy Tuck) is a surgery that aims to address the problem of excess skin and fat over the tummy. Following excess weight gain or pregnancy, the skin and muscles over the front of the tummy can be stretched. When weight is lost, or after a pregnancy loose skin may be left behind and muscle weakness may remain. This procedure aims to help remove excess skin and fat that sits below your navel. The skin that sits above your navel is pulled down to just above your pubic hairline. A scar will lie between your hips just above the line of pubic hair. A new navel is made for you in its natural place. If your abdominal muscles have divided following pregnancy they can be tightened at this time and the waistline redefined.

Would I be suitable?

  • Ladies that undergo this surgery have usually finished having a family; however, there is nothing to prevent you having another child if you wish.
  • Your weight should be within 7kg (1 stone) of your ideal weight.
  • You should be fit and well.

What will an abdominoplasty do for me?

  • This surgery will give you a smoother and shapelier contour in the lower abdominal region. It will reduce a ‘ pot bellied’ look and should give you a flat tummy.
  • It should drop you from half to up to a full dress size in clothes for your lower half. This is particularly the case if the abdominal muscles have been tightened.

What won’t an abdominoplasty do for me?

  • This surgery will not mean that you lose weight and should not be used as a ‘Quick Fix’ method for doing so.
  • An abdominoplasty cannot ensure a new job or a new partner although it may make you feel better about yourself and boost your confidence.

How long will the efects last for?

  • The effects will be permanent providing that you do not lose or gain weight. A further pregnancy would also affect the result of the surgery.

Will I have scars?

All surgery produces scars. The scar for this procedure sits discreetly and neatly between the hips and along the top of the pubic hairline. Underwear or bikini bottoms cover it. There will be stitches underneath the skin which will dissolve, and there may bestitches that will need to be removed.

What are the risks?

All surgery has some risk associated with it, although this is usually minor. We go out of our way to minimise risk, but it is important that you are aware of the possible problems.

General Risks:

Any surgery that involves a general anaesthetic carries the risk of a chest infection and thrombosis, especially if you are a smoker. It is important to tell your surgeon if you are taking the contraceptive pill or any blood thinning drugs such as Warfarin or Aspirin so that we can minimize the chance of thrombosis and bleeding.

Specific Risks:

  • Infections are unusual, but are treatable with antibiotics. To help reduce this risk Antibiotics are given at the time of surgery and for a short course afterwards.y Post operative bleeding from a leaking blood vessel is infrequent, but should it occur another small operation might be necessary to cauterise the flow.
  • Small amounts of tissue fluid (seroma) can and may appear as a pocket of swelling that is fluid filled beneath the skin. Seroma’s normally absorb naturally but can be drained if the surgeon thinks it is clinically indicated. This is usually undertaken in an outpatient clinic setting if required.
  • Scars cannot always be guaranteed to be symmetrical. Some people scar more easily than others, or form thick, red, irritable scars or have scars that stretch. This is a small risk, and can be anticipated based on other scars on your body.
  • You may experience a loss of sensation over the skin in the upper and lower abdominal area. This is may be permanent in some patients.
  • If the blood flow to the skin is impaired in anyway it is possible for some of the skin to die. This will heal eventually but can leave a wider scar. This is a particular risk for those who smoke.
  • Very rarely the blood supply to the naval can be affected causing loss of the belly button; this can be treated at a later stage, but again more common in smokers.
  • If there has been a large amount of skin to be removed there is a small chance that you may have a puckering of skin at one or each end of your scar. If this is the case your surgeon will most likely perform a procedure under local anaesthetic to correct this once all the swelling and bruising has settled down.

What can I expect on the day of surgery?

You must not eat or drink for the six hours before you come into hospital.

The anaesthetist and the surgeon will see you to ensure that you are well, answer any questions and sign the consent form with you. For your own safety you should answer all of their questions fully.

When you wake from the anaesthetic you will be in the recovery department. Here the nurses will make sure you wake up fully and give you pain relief and anti- sickness drugs should you require them. A nurse from the ward will then collect you and take you back to your room where she will check on you every half an hour or so, until you are entirely awake and stable.

You will have two small drains that will usually be removed the following day, and some bandaging or support garment over your tummy.

You will feel drowsy at first, and often people feel a little weepy. This is normal.

How will I feel afterwards?

The day after your surgery Mr. Nadeem Akthar will see you. Your abdomen will feel stiff - as though you have done many sit ups. This wears off after a few days. The anaesthetic will make you feel sleepy and a bit removed from normal life; this wears off within two to five days, when you will feel like yourself again. You will be well enough to go home one or two days after your surgery but you will not be able to resume normal exercise or go back to work for two to three weeks.

We would also advise you to refrain from driving, lifting, hovering, and sporting activities for this time. We provide a garment for you to wear for six weeks which will support your tummy and assist with contouring.

Conclusion

Abdominal surgery will address problems in the abdominal area associated with pregnancy and weight loss. You may note a drop in the dress size and the scars are discrete. We will minimise the risks associated with surgery as much as possible. An abdominoplasty cannot change your life, but it can boost your confidence.