Abdominoplasty Procedures
Abdominoplasty: In simple words, is a surgical procedure to give a better shape to the body and this surgery is performed by a cosmetic surgeon in the abdominal region. Abdominoplasty is also known as tummy tuck. This cosmetic surgical procedure makes the abdomen more stiff/firm after the removal of excess fat and loose skin from the abdomen region, more precisely from the middle and lower abdomen. The surgery is to tighten the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is sought by patients who have loose tissues, sagging abdomen which may be a result of post pregnancy or weight loss program.
Abdominoplasty Procedures:
The surgery can take up-to 5 hours depending on the surgery. Abdominoplasty procedures vary from patient to patient and can be classified into:
Complete Abdominoplasty:
In complete abdominoplasty, the plastic surgeon does an incision from above the pubic area and almost from one end to another end of the hip. Then another incision is done in the navel region to make it free from the surrounding skin. Once this is done, the skin is detached from the abdominal wall to reveal the muscles and fascia that are tightened with sutures. Surgical dressing and if required a compression garment is applied. Excess fluid from the abdomen area is also drained.
Partial Abdominoplasty:
A partial abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is relatively a smaller surgical process in which a smaller incision is made and the skin and fat of the lower abdomen are detached in a more limited fashion from the muscle fascia and the skin is stretched down to remove the excess skin. In few patients, a portion of the abdominal muscle fascia wall is also tightened with sutures and the navel may be divided from the muscle below to slide it down lower on the abdominal wall. Liposuction is often used to contour the transition zone and then the outer flap is stitched back.
Extended Abdominoplasty:
In extended abdominoplasty, the abdomen and the lateral thigh portion is considered for surgery by the patient. The surgery is done for total abdominal contouring as done for a complete abdominoplasty and further to improve the waistline and giving shape to the upper lateral thigh.
High Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck:
In this procedure, unlike the conventional abdominoplasty that involves in tightening muscles vertically, muscles are tightened horizontally as well, resulting a flat abdomen and a better waistline giving a improved body shape.
Circumferential Abdominoplasty:
In circumferential abdominoplasty procedure, the process of an extended abdominoplasty is performed on the patient, and also a buttock lift. The surgery is also known as Belt Lipectomy or Body Lift. The incision goes almost a full circle in the abdomen region. This surgery can be opted by patients who have undergone massive weight loss or have loose flabby skin and fat in the abdomen region and waistline.
Recovery and Precautions
Patients need to take post surgery care during the hospital stay and also after they are discharged. In most cases, initial recovery time may be between 2 to 4 weeks depending on the surgery done and complete recovery may take 3 to 6 months of time. It is advised good bed rest 4 to 6 weeks of time during recovery with minimum physical activity without stress or stretch is advised. Patients need to watch what they eat and drink. And for smokers, it is best for them to kick the habit till they are completely recovered.
Patients planning for Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty can plan a vacation in countries like India, Thailand, Singapore or Malaysia and save cost on surgery and still have surgery done at some of the best hospitals and under guidance of surgeons who are well experienced in abdominoplasty.
