Abdominoplasty is a surgical operation that improves sagging and loosening of skin and subcutaneous tissues to achieve more flat and tight abdomen. In this surgery, excess tissue around umbilicus is removed and abdominal fascia that has been loosen because of previous pregnancies can be tightened. Stretch marks can be get rid of, if exist in removed excess tissue. Stretch marks over umbilicus become less visible due to tension. In some individuals, skin and
subcutaneous tissues expand to lateral sides of the waist and loosen; and waist gets thicker after mostly giving birth or rapid body weight loss. If this loosening is extreme, it causes pain in waist and the back, bad smelling, itching and rashes under skin curves especially at summer. It is a deformity that make a person’s social and private life difficult. These people prefer outfits that covers abdominal area. And it becomes harder to cover this area at summer.
How is an abdominoplasty done?
Abdominoplasty is performed in operating conditions at hospitals under general anesthesia. Operation ends with a scar that runs along with the c-section scar and continues in inguinal region which is in the same path with bikini line. Healing of scars depend on person’s genetic composition and takes 1-2 years to take its final form with abdomen.
Abdominal muscles stand separated and abdominal fascia loosens after pregnancies. Umbilicus gets deformed due to excessive amount of weight gain and pregnancy. The sagging skin that contains stretch marks under umbilicus and the subcutaneous fat tissue is removed together in abdominoplasty. The loosen abdominal fascia is strengthened with plication techniques with a proper direction and tension. A new and more aesthetic umbilicus is reconstructed. Subcutaneous fat tissue can be reduced with a liposuction surgery combined with this operation. This way, a flatter abdomen and a thinner waist with a more aesthetic umbilicus can be obtained. A vacuumed pipe system called drainage tubes is used to prevent the leakage to build up at operation sites. Patient is dressed with a corset that surrounds the abdomen.
How is postoperative phase of abdominoplasty surgery?
Drains can be removed in 3-4 days depending on outcoming leakage. The patient is discharged two or three days later with a prescription for antibiotic and an analgesic. The patient is asked to sleep in a position that legs are slightly bended and back is elevated and to walk slightly bended forward. This way the tension of sutures can be decreased. After two weeks the patient can slowly change their sleeping and walking position to normal. The swelling at operation site begins to reduce after 3rd day. Corset should be used regularly for 4 weeks. Patients are recommended to eat frequently and small portions. There can be adverse events after every surgical intervention. Risk of anesthesia, hematomas at surgical site, infection and delay of wound healing are common complications that can be seen after any surgical operation. Usage of cigarettes increases complication rate because of its negative effects on tissue oxygenation and blood flow. Smokers must quit smoking at least 2 weeks before the surgery and shouldn't smoke for 2-3 weeks after. The most unwanted complication after abdominoplasty is embolism. To prevent embolism; anti-emboli socks are dressed to patients. Massage is applied to legs to give them movement after surgery. Proper medication is given by the time patients are in hospital. History of deep venous thrombosis is questioned before the surgery for the risk of emboli.
Abdominal numbness, swelling and sensitivity are natural. Abdominal area starts to take its form after first month and it takes 1-2 years to take its final form. Sauna, Turkish bath and sportive activities are not recommended before 8 weeks.
What is mini abdominoplasty/ mini tummy tuck?
Mini abdominoplasty is the surgical procedure that is performed with the condition of loosening and sagging of abdomen is only located under umbilicus. The operation can end with smaller scars since it is a more localized surgery compared to full abdominoplasty. Postoperative healing process is faster and can be combined with a liposuction surgery for fat deposits superior to umbilicus. This surgery can be combined with a liposuction surgery to this area.
Copyright/Main Edition 2012 Limited Revision 2022 Prof. Dr. Z. BURCAK TUMERDEM ULUG
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