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Body
procedure:
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
Read more:
Surgery Encyclopedia
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