Details of Abdominoplasty Surgery

What happens before the procedure?
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery. You will receive guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding medications. You will likely have to either decrease or discontinue your dosage of some medications two weeks prior to surgery as they may increase your risk for complications. You will have to quit smoking two weeks before the surgery and remain a non-smoker for two weeks following surgery. You should avoid overexposure to the sun before surgery, especially to your abdomen as this can inhibit your ability to heal. You should exercise, eat a balanced diet, and get plenty of rest in the weeks leading up to surgery.

What type of anesthesia is used?
Abdominoplasty is often performed under general anesthesia so you are asleep through the procedure. It can also be performed using a local anesthetic combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. So you'll be awake through the procedure and your abdominal region will be insensitive to pain.

What happens during the procedure and how is it performed?
During the tummy tuck procedure, your surgeon will make one or more incisions extending from hip to hip. The shape of the incision is like a V, with a flat bottom. The flat part of the V occurs at the bottom point of the abdomen immediately above the pubic area. The sides of the V form angles along the pelvis up to the top of the hip bone. A second incision is made to free the navel from the abdominal tissue. Mini tummy tucks have smaller incisions then other abdominoplasty procedures.

Your surgeon then separates the skin from the abdominal wall, up to the ribs, exposing the vertical abdominal muscles (rectus muscles). The muscles are then tightened by stitching them into a new position, thereby reducing the waistline. Excess skin is then removed and sutured in place. Sometimes a small amount of liposuction may be used to remove small pockets of fat. The incisions are closed using surgical stitches and, if necessary, the navel is reattached.

What happens after the surgery?
After the surgery you will be taken into a recovery room where you will continue to be closely monitored. In many instances, small drain tubes will have been placed within the abdominal tissues to help avoid accumulation of fluids. Gauze or other dressings may be applied to your abdomen and covered with tape or an elastic bandage.

The day after surgery, you will be encouraged to get out of bed for short walks to promote blood circulation. Although you may not be able to stand up completely straight, it is best if you do not sit for long periods of time during the first several days. Straining, bending and lifting must be avoided, since these activities might cause increased swelling or even bleeding. You may be instructed to sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees.

For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen and you're likely to feel some pain and discomfort which can be controlled by medication. Your doctor will give you instructions for showering and changing your dressings. And though you may not be able to stand straight at first, you should start walking as soon as possible.

Surface stitches will be removed within a week, and deeper sutures, with ends that protrude through the skin, will come out in two to three weeks. The dressing on your incision may be replaced by a support garment.

How long will I be in the hospital?
You may be able to go home after a few hours. But some patients spend one or two days in the hospital, depending on the extent of the procedure.

How much time will it take me to return to work / normal life?
Tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure so you can expect a considerable recovery time compared with other plastic surgeries. Most people require one to three weeks before returning to work and a normal schedule. Patients are advised to take at least a portion of this recovery time off from work. It is a good idea to exercise after surgery, but only after enough healing time has passed so that you can exercise comfortably.

You will have abdominal stitches and be fitted with a tummy tuck drain to draw fluid away from the wound. It will be at least a week before the drain is removed. The stitches will be removed in stages over the course of two weeks. Light walking and other very gentle exercise will help with the swelling and prevent the formation of blood clots in the legs.

What are the risks associated with tummy tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery is generally a safe procedure. If you take proper care in preparing for the surgery and follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding post-operative care, the risks are minimal. However, as with other surgeries, some risks are always there. Some of the risks are:
• Infection
• Blood clots
• Complications to the healing process which may result in more prominent scarring after surgery

What should I watch out for?
You should report any severe pain to your doctor.

What should I expect in the long-run after a tummy tuck?
The abdominal scars will appear to worsen during the first three to six months, and may take nine months before they flatten and lighten in color. The scars never completely disappear, but they are located to be easily hidden by clothing.

Although the bruising and much of the swelling resulting from abdominoplasty will disappear over a period of weeks, it may be months before all swelling subsides and you see the final result of your tummy tuck. You may also notice some numbness over portions of the abdominal area, and this may persist for several months. Incisions will initially be red or pink in color. They will remain this way for many months following surgery and may even appear to worsen before they finally begin to fade.

To maintain the improved figure that accompanies abdominoplasty surgery, it is essential that you exercise routinely and follow a balanced diet. With proper maintenance, you can retain the results of your abdominoplasty for many years following surgery.