Abdominoplasty is a Cosmetic Procedure - Removal of Excess Fat and Loose Skin.

Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that tightens and improves the appearance of the stomach through removal of excess fat and loose skin. Women seeking to restore their appearances following childbirth or patients who have lost a significant amount of weight, most commonly seek it. The procedure also gets rid of the strech marks in lower tummy area,most commonly found in women after pregnancy.

Abdominoplasty Surgery
Before considering abdominoplasty, your surgeon will ensure you are in good overall health and that you have no coexisting conditions that may interfere with your tummy tuck recovery – such as heart disease or hemophilia. Thereafter, your tummy region will be examined and evaluated for the kind of ‘tuck’ required.
Tummy Tuck Procedures

The tummy tuck procedure itself can take anywhere from one to five hours, depending on the amount of skin and fat to be removed. Generally speaking, there are three types of abdominoplasty procedures used to correct the appearance of the stomach:

• Partial tummy tuck: Also known as a mini abdominoplasty, a partial tummy tuck procedure involves small incisions in the hip region, allowing the surgeon access to the muscle fascia in the lower abdomen. The surgeon separates the excess fat and skin from the muscle, removes it, and may use liposuction to clean up the area further before stitching the incisions. 

• Complete tummy tuck: A full abdominoplasty begins with two incisions: one from hip to hip, and another in the navel region. The surgeon then sutures the muscle wall to tighten it, removes surplus skin and fat, creates a new belly button hole for the abdominal stalk and refines the region with supplementary liposuction.

• Extended tummy tuck: This tummy tuck procedure is identical to the full abdominoplasty, except that the surgeon extends the reshaping into the patient's sides and upper thighs.

• Endoscopic abdominoplasty: If you have weak lower abdomen muscles without excess skin, your surgeon may prefer to use an endoscopic abdominoplasty procedure. This technique uses a microscopic camera mounted on surgical instruments, which allows the doctor to perform the surgery with smaller incisions. 

Risks and Possible Complications
Every surgery comes with a degree of risk. While tummy tucks are considered very safe, you should be aware of the possible complications that can occur:

• Excess bleeding
• Heavy tummy tuck scars
• Reactions to the anesthesia
• Skin or tissue death
• Ruptured sutures
• Swelling

Serious post-operative problems are rare. However, infections and blood clots can occur. Being moderately active following surgery can prevent the development of blood clots. It is very important that you follow your surgeon's post-operative instructions strictly.

Recovery

• Recovering from the acute effects of surgery can take anywhere from one to four weeks, depending on your overall health. 
• During this time, you should avoid strenuous activity and take some time off work. 
• Your surgeon may recommend that you wear a compression garment to support your stomach and keep swelling and bruising to a minimum.
• Tummy tuck scars continue to fade throughout the recovery period. 
• It may take up to six months for all the post-surgical effects to resolve and the final results of the surgery to show.

Alternatives 

• If your only problem is loose skin, surgeons can perform a "skin-only" abdominoplasty procedure that leaves your muscles intact but tightens your stomach's appearance. 
• Liposuction is a commonly indicated alternative to abdominoplasty as well.This is the choice if abdominal skin is of good quality without strech marks.
• Diet and exercise are the best way to reduce fat deposits in the abdominal region. Even if you plan to have a tummy tuck, you should still lose as much weight as you can using natural, traditional techniques before you undergo surgery.

Dr Lokesh Kumar

MB,M.S(PGI)M.Ch(Plastic)FICS

Senior Consultant Plastic surgeon

Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals & Delhi aesthetic clinic

Website : http://www.dacindia.com

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