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Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck ) |
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Abdominoplasty
or "tummy
tuck"
is a
cosmetic
surgery
procedure
used to make
the abdomen
more firm.
The surgery
involves the
removal of
excess skin
and fat from
the middle
and lower
abdomen in
order to
tighten the
muscle and
fascia of
the
abdominal
wall. This
type of
surgery is
usually
sought by
patients
with loose
tissues
after
pregnancy or
individuals
with sagging
after major
weight loss. |
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Procedures.
Abdominoplasty
operations
vary in
scope and
are
frequently
subdivided
into
categories.
Depending on
the extent
of the
surgery, a
complete
abdominoplasty
can take 1
to 5 hours.
A partial
abdominoplasty
(Mini-Tuck
Abdominoplasty)
can be
completed
between 1 to
2 hours. |
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Complete
abdominoplasty.
In general,
a complete
(or full)
abdominoplasty
follows
these steps: |
1.An
incision is
made from
hip to hip
just above
the pubic
area.
2.Another
incision is
made to free
the navel
from the
surrounding
skin.
3.The skin
is detached
from the
abdominal
wall to
reveal the
muscles and
fascia to be
tightened.
The muscle
fascia wall
is tightened
with
sutures.
4.Liposuction
is often
used to
refine the
transition
zones of the
abdominal
sculpture.
5.A dressing
and
sometimes a
compression
garment are
applied and
any excess
fluid from
the site is
drained. |
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Partial
abdominoplasty.
A partial
(or mini)
abdominoplasty
proceeds as
follows: |
1.A smaller
incision is
made.
2.The skin
and fat of
the lower
abdomen are
detached in
a more
limited
fashion from
the muscle
fascia. The
skin is
stretched
down and
excess skin
removed.
3.Sometimes
the belly
button stalk
is divided
from the
muscle below
and the
belly button
slid down
lower on the
abdominal
wall.
4.Sometimes
a portion of
the
abdominal
muscle
fascia wall
is
tightened.
5.Liposuction
is often
used to
contour the
transition
zone.
6.The flap
is stitched
back into
place. |
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Extended
abdominoplasty.
An extended
abdominoplasty
is a
complete
abdominoplasty
plus a
lateral
thigh lift.
The
resulting
scar runs
from the
posterior
axillary
line (when
placing
you open
hands on
your hips,
the thumbs
lie along
the
posterior
axillary
line.) The
operation
does all of
the
abdominal
contouring
of a
complete
abdominoplasty
plus allows
further
improvement
of the flank
(waist), as
well as
smoothing
the contour
of the upper
lateral
thigh. |
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High
lateral
tension
tummy tuck.
This is an
advanced
technique
that takes a
little more
than four
and half
hours to
perform.
Conventional
abdominoplasty
tightens
muscles in a
vertical
line. In
this
new method,
known as
high lateral
tension
abdominoplasty,
in addition
to
vertical-line
tightening,
muscles are
tightened
horizontally.
The final
result with
this
technique is
a
dramatically
flat abdomen
with
significantly
better-defined
waistline. |
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Circumferential
abdominoplasty.
An
circumferential
abdominoplasty
is an
extended
abdominoplasty
plus a
buttock
lift. The
resulting
scar runs
all the way
around the
body, and
the
operation is
also
called a
Belt
Lipectomy or
Body Lift.
This
operation is
most
appropriate
for patients
who have
undergone
massive
weight loss. |
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Combination
procedures.
An
abdominoplasty
is a
component of
a lower body
lift and can
be combined
with
liposuction
contouring,
breast
reduction,
breast lift,
or
occasionally
hysterectomy,
depending on
the reason
for the
hysterectomy.
A popular
name for
breast
enhancement
procedures
performed in
conjunction
with an
abdominoplasty
is a "mommy
makeover".
Recent
literature
in MEDLINE
also has
noted
implementation
of barbed
suture in
these
procedures. |
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Recovery
•Depends on
the problem
to be
treated,
surgical
technique(s),
and other
factors. Can
take one to
four weeks
and patients
are advised
to take at
least a
portion of
this
recovery
time off
from work.
•Heavy
activity
especially
is best
avoided
during this
time.
•Initially
there may be
bruising and
discomfort.
•A
supportive
abdominal
binder or
compression
garment can
minimize
swelling /
bruising,
and support
the repaired
tissues.
•Patients
are advised
to avoid all
forms of
nicotine for
a month or
longer prior
to surgery
and also
during the
recovery
period.
•Full
recovery
takes 3 – 6
months, with
further
fading of
scars
thereafter. |
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Possible
risks of
abdominoplasty
include:
•Asymmetry
•Recurrent
looseness of
skin •Major
wound
separation
•Skin loss
•Numbness or
other
changes in
skin
sensation
•Anesthesia
complications
•Suture
rupture•Swelling
•Death •Skin
discoloration
and/or
prolonged
swelling
•Fatty
tissue found
deep in the
skin might
die (fat
necrosis) •Seroma
•Bleeding
•Fluid
accumulation
•Poor wound
healing
•Nerve
damage
•Possibility
of
revisional
surgery
•Visible
scar •Pain,
which may
persist
•Persistent
swelling in
the legs
(heavy scar)
•Keloid•Hematoma
(may occur
in 3 to 4%
of cases)
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Read more:
Surgery Encyclopedia |
