Is Abdominoplasty Necessary?

Perhaps better known by the name “tummy tuck”, an Abdominoplasty is a surgery in which excess fat and skin are excised from the abdomen in order to tighten the abdominal muscles,. This procedure can also greatly reduce the size of the abdomen, both in terms of width and protrusion.

Who opts for an abdominoplasty?

Anyone who has an abdomen which simply sticks out too far and which does not respond to exercise or to other lifestyle factors may consider an abdominoplasty. Loose skin around the abdomen is another reason that some seek out this procedure. Women in particular will elect for an abdominoplasty due to loss of the tightness of the skin of the abdomen due to multiple pregnancies when neither diet nor exercise can remedy the situation.

The Dangers of Abdominoplasty

when performed by a qualified surgeon, trained for the job, Abdominoplasty is quite successful. However, as with all surgical procedures, this one too, has its own risks and complications which must be clearly understood before going in for surgery.

Blood clots and infection, though rare, can occur after the operation. This, though treatable, will extend the patient’s stay at the hospital. Sometimes, there is poor healing, resulting in prominent scars. In such cases, a second operation may be required. Smoking can also increase complications.

Planning and Preparation for an Abdominoplasty Procedure.

First, your surgeon will make an assessment of the extent of the fat deposits in your abdominal region. He will also assess your skin tone. He will recommend either partial abdominoplasty or complete abdominoplasty, depending upon the area that is covered in fat deposits. If they are limited to the area below the navel, he may recommend and partial abdominoplasty. Or he may recommend a combination of abdominoplasty (partial or complete) along with liposuction, for a better body contour.

You will be given some guidelines in regard to diet and other habits (i.e. – smoking and drinking) to be followed prior to undergoing the procedure. If you develop an illness or an infection, your surgery will probably be postponed until a later date. The complete abdominoplasty procedure takes between two and five hours, depending on the patient and a partial abdominoplasty one to two hours.

In a complete abdominoplasty a long incision will be made from one hipbone to the other, just above the pubic area. Another incision will also be made to free the navel area from the abdominal tissue. Partial abdominoplasty needs a much shorter incision, and the second incision may not be required at all.

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