Lipectomy (Abdominoplasty Tummy Tuck)
Lipectomy is a major surgical procedure to removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and to tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. This procedure helps flatten the stomach and can dramatically reduce the appearance of a protruding abdomen. Often women who have had multiple pregnancies receive this procedure to make them feel better about themselves. The time required for this procedure is around 2-5 hours with General or local sedation.
The Best Candidates
Abdominoplasty is particularly well suited for women and men who are of relatively good shape but have isolated pockets of fat or loose abdominal that cause certain and will not respond to diet or exercise. This form of surgery is particularly helpful to women who, through multiple pregnancies, have stretched their abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where they can return to normal. For older patients who have developed a loss of skin elasticity, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved.
Fitness and diet is a consideration, and patients who intend to lose a lot of weight should postpone the surgery. Other considerations include women who are planning to have pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscles in the abdomen that are tightened during surgery can separate again during pregnancy. If you have scarring from previous abdominal surgery, your doctor may recommend against abdominoplasty or may caution you that scars could be unusually prominent.
Uncertainty and Risk
As with any surgery, there are risks and uncertainty associated with Abdominoplasty. These include:
- Infection (Can be treated with drainage and antibiotics)
- Blood Clots (these are rare, but can occur. Moving around as soon as possible post surgery minimises the risk)
- Poor Healing (results in conspicuous scars, may need second operation)
- Smoking (should be stopped as increases risk of complication and delays healing)
Abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon. You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon's instructions before and after the surgery, especially with regard to when and how you should resume physical activity.
After Surgery:
- Although you may be up and about in a day or two after surgery, start walking after 24 hours. Your doctor will advise you on the proper schedule for resuming your usual routine. In this early phase of healing, straining, bending and lifting should be avoided. Normal activities are resumed slowly to permit proper healing.
- Vigorous activities such as golf, swimming and tennis are restricted for 6 weeks after surgery to ensure proper and complete healing.
- After surgery, temporary pains swelling, bruising, tiredness, soreness discomfort for several weeks. Numbness and burning sensation over the lower abdomen for 3-6 months. Although is gradually improves with time.
- Lying in the semi-fowler position to take tension off. There?re after, a pillow under the knees will be comfortable and is usually adequate.
- Lying on either side with the hips flexed is permitted as soon as the patient is comfortable enough to get into this position.
- Patient is advised to continue wearing a light support garment (Soft panty girdle) to support the abdomen during the next two to three months it helps keep the abdominal wall flab against the fascia.
- Tight belts are not worn over the scars for six months.
- In the months following surgery, it is important to avoiding sun exposure; sunlight can permanently affect the skin?s pigmentation, causing the scar to turn dark. To avoid by not wearing black or dark colours when you are outdoors. Heat absorbed by dark-coloured clothing can actually burn your healing skin and complicate recovery.
- The patient must accept the fact that the defect can be corrected only partially and that the resulting long scars across the pubic area and around the navel are permanent, but will flatten and lighten in colour, hopefully fade from red to white by 1 to 2 years.
Pre-Surgical Tests
Prior to admissions and surgery, your Surgeon will require you to undergo laboratory investigations and/or diagnostic examinations to ensure that you are fit for surgery. These tests are standard hospital procedure
Abdominoplasty Recovery
Back to work: 2 - 4 weeks.
More strenuous activity: 4 - 6 weeks or more.
Fading and flattening of scars: 3 months to 2 years
Please note that this information should be used only as a guide to your treatment. All specifics will be discussed with your Surgeon during your initial consultation.