The following frequently asked questions (FAQ's) and answers will give you a basic understanding of the Abdominoplasty procedure. Since a lot depends on your individual circumstances, Dr. A will be able to help you with any further concerns you have about how an Abdominoplasty will affect you personally.
What should I consider before having abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence but should not be seen as a short cut to losing weight.
Before you decide to have Abdominoplasty think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with the doctor.The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won't respond to diet or exercise. The Abdominoplasty surgery is particularly effective if, through multiple pregnancies, you have stretched your abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where it can return to normal. Loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved.
How do I plan my abdominoplasty?
The doctor will work with you to recommend the procedure most appropriate for you and will come closest to producing the desired body contour.
Be frank in discussing your expectations with the doctor. He will need to know if you smoke, and if you're taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs.
If, for example, your fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex procedure called a mini abdominoplasty, also know as a mini tummy tuck, which can often be performed on an outpatient basis.
Alternatively, you may benefit more from partial or complete abdominoplasty done in conjunction with liposuction to remove fat deposits from the hips, for a better body contour. Then again, liposuction alone may create the best result. In any case, the doctor will work with you to recommend the procedure that is right for you and will come closest to producing the desired body contour.
How do I prepare for surgery?
Dr. Ahmed will give you advice on how to prepare for surgery. These may include guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. If you smoke, you will generally be advised by your surgeon to stop ideally 6 weeks prior to surgery and to refrain for approximately two weeks post operatively. You should avoid sun exposure preoperatively, particularly to the abdomen.
Where will my liposuction be performed?
The Abdominoplasty surgery is performed at Urquiza Plastic Surgery Center.
You will usually be admitted on the day of surgery. Depending on each particular case, an overnight stay in hospital may be advised and you will be discharged home the following day at about 10:00am. If you have the surgery as a day case you will be discharged later that day.
What type of anesthetic will be used?
This procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic, so you'll sleep through the entire operation.
What takes place during the surgery?
Most commonly, the doctor will make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, slightly above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. With partial abdominoplasty, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved.
Next, the doctor separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and lifts a large skin flap to reveal the vertical (rectus) muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are tightened by being pulled closer together and stitched into their new position. This provides a firmer, flatter abdominal wall and reduces the waistline
The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched in place. Finally, the incisions will be stitched, dressings will be applied, and a temporary drainage tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.
In partial abdominoplasty, the skin is removed below the navel. This skin is stretched down, the excess is removed, and the skin is stitched back into place. The incision is shorter and the navel itself is not freed as in a full abdominoplasty thereby avoiding the need for stitches around it.
How long will the surgery take?
The length of your Abdominoplasty operation depends on the procedure. Complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to three hours while partial abdominoplasty may take an hour or two.
What can I expect after my surgery?
For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen and you're likely to feel some minor pain and discomfort. However, most of this will be controlled by medication prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will give you advice on showering and changing your dressings. It is also important that you start walking as soon as possible . Surface stitches will be removed in five to seven days, and deeper sutures will come out in two to three weeks. The dressing on your incision is then likely to be replaced by a support garment for some time.
How long will it take for life to return to normal?
It may take you weeks to feel like your old self again but, if you start out in top physical condition with strong abdominal muscles, your recovery from abdominoplasty will be much faster. Some people return to work after two weeks, while others take three or four weeks to rest and recuperate. Exercise will help you heal better. Even if you have never exercised before, an exercise program will help to reduce swelling, and tone your muscles. It is wise to avoid vigorous exercise though, until you can do it comfortably.
Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. After several months, your scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely.
How will I feel about my new look?
Both partial and complete abdominoplasty produces excellent results, especially if you have weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin. If you follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly it is also likely that the results are long lasting. If you're realistic in your expectations and prepared for the consequences of a permanent scar and a lengthy recovery period, you are likely to be pleased with the results of your abdominoplasty.
Does liposuction carry any risk?
Abdominoplasty is a very common procedure carried out successfully on many people each year. Nevertheless, there are always risks associated with surgery, for example in individuals such as smokers, people who are overweight, and those with certain conditions such as diabetes .
You can reduce the risk of complications by following the doctor's pre and post operative instructions, particularly in regards to resuming physical activity.
- What should I consider before having abdominoplasty?
- How do I plan my abdominoplasty?
- How do I prepare for surgery?
- Where will my liposuction be performed?
- What type of anesthetic will be used?
- What takes place during the surgery?
- How long will the surgery take?
- What can I expect after my surgery?
- How long will it take for life to return to normal?
- How will I feel about my new look?
- Does liposuction carry any risk?
What should I consider before having abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence but should not be seen as a short cut to losing weight.
Before you decide to have Abdominoplasty think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with the doctor.The best candidates for abdominoplasty are men or women who are in relatively good shape but are bothered by a large fat deposit or loose abdominal skin that won't respond to diet or exercise. The Abdominoplasty surgery is particularly effective if, through multiple pregnancies, you have stretched your abdominal muscles and skin beyond the point where it can return to normal. Loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which frequently occurs with slight obesity, can also be improved.
How do I plan my abdominoplasty?
The doctor will work with you to recommend the procedure most appropriate for you and will come closest to producing the desired body contour.
Be frank in discussing your expectations with the doctor. He will need to know if you smoke, and if you're taking any medications, vitamins, or other drugs.
If, for example, your fat deposits are limited to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex procedure called a mini abdominoplasty, also know as a mini tummy tuck, which can often be performed on an outpatient basis.
Alternatively, you may benefit more from partial or complete abdominoplasty done in conjunction with liposuction to remove fat deposits from the hips, for a better body contour. Then again, liposuction alone may create the best result. In any case, the doctor will work with you to recommend the procedure that is right for you and will come closest to producing the desired body contour.
How do I prepare for surgery?
Dr. Ahmed will give you advice on how to prepare for surgery. These may include guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. If you smoke, you will generally be advised by your surgeon to stop ideally 6 weeks prior to surgery and to refrain for approximately two weeks post operatively. You should avoid sun exposure preoperatively, particularly to the abdomen.
Where will my liposuction be performed?
The Abdominoplasty surgery is performed at Urquiza Plastic Surgery Center.
You will usually be admitted on the day of surgery. Depending on each particular case, an overnight stay in hospital may be advised and you will be discharged home the following day at about 10:00am. If you have the surgery as a day case you will be discharged later that day.
What type of anesthetic will be used?
This procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic, so you'll sleep through the entire operation.
What takes place during the surgery?
Most commonly, the doctor will make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, slightly above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. With partial abdominoplasty, the incision is much shorter and the navel may not be moved.
Next, the doctor separates the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs and lifts a large skin flap to reveal the vertical (rectus) muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are tightened by being pulled closer together and stitched into their new position. This provides a firmer, flatter abdominal wall and reduces the waistline
The skin flap is then stretched down and the extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched in place. Finally, the incisions will be stitched, dressings will be applied, and a temporary drainage tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site.
In partial abdominoplasty, the skin is removed below the navel. This skin is stretched down, the excess is removed, and the skin is stitched back into place. The incision is shorter and the navel itself is not freed as in a full abdominoplasty thereby avoiding the need for stitches around it.
How long will the surgery take?
The length of your Abdominoplasty operation depends on the procedure. Complete abdominoplasty usually takes two to three hours while partial abdominoplasty may take an hour or two.
What can I expect after my surgery?
For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen and you're likely to feel some minor pain and discomfort. However, most of this will be controlled by medication prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will give you advice on showering and changing your dressings. It is also important that you start walking as soon as possible . Surface stitches will be removed in five to seven days, and deeper sutures will come out in two to three weeks. The dressing on your incision is then likely to be replaced by a support garment for some time.
How long will it take for life to return to normal?
It may take you weeks to feel like your old self again but, if you start out in top physical condition with strong abdominal muscles, your recovery from abdominoplasty will be much faster. Some people return to work after two weeks, while others take three or four weeks to rest and recuperate. Exercise will help you heal better. Even if you have never exercised before, an exercise program will help to reduce swelling, and tone your muscles. It is wise to avoid vigorous exercise though, until you can do it comfortably.
Your scars will be firm and pink for at least six weeks. After several months, your scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely.
How will I feel about my new look?
Both partial and complete abdominoplasty produces excellent results, especially if you have weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin. If you follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly it is also likely that the results are long lasting. If you're realistic in your expectations and prepared for the consequences of a permanent scar and a lengthy recovery period, you are likely to be pleased with the results of your abdominoplasty.
Does liposuction carry any risk?
Abdominoplasty is a very common procedure carried out successfully on many people each year. Nevertheless, there are always risks associated with surgery, for example in individuals such as smokers, people who are overweight, and those with certain conditions such as diabetes .
You can reduce the risk of complications by following the doctor's pre and post operative instructions, particularly in regards to resuming physical activity.
