REASONS FOR WANTING AN ABDOMINOPLASTY
Whilst some people might look for an Abdominoplasty as a
short term escape route from a healthy diet and exercise, most
of the time it is requested by candidates who experience excess
skin on the tummy, droopy skin and lax abdominal muscles
which actually occur after weight loss, multiple pregnancies or
twin or triplet pregnancies. In both cases the Surgeon needs to
assess the particular situation of each patient applying for such
treatment. In the latter cases the problem does not respond
to further dieting or exercise and the only way to resolve the
problem is surgical excision of the excess skin.
THE SURGERY
The operation involves cutting out an ellipse of skin between
the pubic bone and the navel (belly button). This takes with it
the underlying fat and if necessary tightening of the muscles
and liposuction maybe considered at the same time. Once the
ellipse of skin has been removed, the skin above the navel is
pulled down and stretched towards the skin below the pubic
bone and they are stitched together. This skin is pulled down
over the belly button and a new hole needs to be made for
the belly button to come through. The result is two scars, one
along the lower tummy at the level of the pubic hair and another
around the navel. The lower scar should be concealed by most
styles of underwear and swimwear.
The operation involves a general anaesthetic and a hospital
stay of 2 to 4 days. The best results are obtained in patients
who are the correct weight for their height and you may be
asked to lose weight before surgery is considered. You will
be required to sign a consent form giving permission for the
operation. This requires that you are aware of the risks and
complications involved in the procedure.
When the effect of the anaesthetic wears out, you will find
yourself bandaged and with drainage tubes in place. The
drains can usually be removed a day or so after the operation
but occasionally will be left for a little longer if fluid continues
to leak. You may have dissolvable stitches but any permanent
stitches that are used, especially around the navel, may need to
be removed approximately 10 days after the surgery.
SOME COMPLICATION THAT MAY ARISE
There are general risks associated with a general anaesthetic
such as chest infection and DVTs (clots in the veins of the legs).
You will be encouraged to get up and walk around as soon as
possible to reduce these risks. This will feel uncomfortable and
tight at first and you will be given pain killers to help with this.
Complications specific to this operation include infection and
problems with wound healing. This most commonly has effect on
the central part of the wound and may require regular dressing
for a few weeks. Problems with the wound are more common in
smokers, diabetics and overweight patients. If you are a smoker
you are strongly advised to stop smoking before the operation.
Some people experience problems with red, raised and lumpy
scars but most scars will become very pale and thin. Collections
of blood (haematomas) and collections of fluid (seromas) can
occur and may require drainage with a needle or more rarely a
return to the operating theatre. Numbness may occur and can
occasionally be permanent. In some cases minor adjustments
under local anaesthetic are required at a later date.
WHEN CAN NORMAL ACTIVITIES BE RESUMED?
You can usually return to work after 2 to 4 weeks depending
on your job but you should avoid any strenuous activity for up
to 6 weeks after the operation. Most patients are fit to fly after
2 weeks post-op yet in some cases this might take up to 3-4
weeks depending on the patient's pace of recovery.
| 
