Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure of the abdomen, in which fat and skin are removed, and muscles may be tightened. This procedure is performed after multiple pregnancies or significant weight loss due to sagging skin.
What is it?
Abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck”, is a surgical procedure removing excess fat and skin in the abdomen. Abdominoplasty restores weakened or separates muscles, creating a smoother and firmer abdomen. The surgery is a cosmetic surgery and therefore is intended for those who wish to have a flat, toned abdomen.
What should I do to prepare?
To prepare for an abdominoplasty, patients must stop taking any medication that inhibits proper blood clotting, including Aleve, Excedrin, Ibuprofen, and Aspirin. Patients should arrange transportation to and from the hospital, as they will not be fit to drive post-surgery.
What happens during the process?
Abdominoplasty is a surgery that can take one to five hours and can be inpatient or outpatient, depending on severity. The patient is given general anesthesia, which will put him or her to sleep during the surgery. The actual incision site and type of operation depend on whether the patient is receiving a complete, partial, or circumferential abdominoplasty. Regardless of type, the patient will have an incision made to remove the fat and for a complete or partial abdominoplasty drainage tubes will be put into the abdomen and removed later.
What are the risks and potential complications?
There are some possible complications and risks associated with Abdominoplasty. The complications include scarring, bleeding, infection, fluid accumulation, poor wound healing, loss of skin, blood clots, numbness, skin color changes, swelling, Fat Necrosis, wound separation, and asymmetry. The chance of these complications happening is greater for patients with poor circulation, diabetes, heart, lung, or liver disease, or a habit of smoking.
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