Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Is Abdominoplasty Necessary?

By Andrew W John

Abdominomplasty, commonly known as 'tummy tuck' is a major surgical procedure involving the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdominal region with the aim of tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. It can significantly reduce the protrusion of the abdomen.

Who needs abdominoplasty?

Although women are the majority of abdominoplasty candidates, anybody who has an abdominal protrusion which will not be affected by diet or exercise is likely to think about this procedure. Loose skin in the abdominal area causes some to look into the possibility of undergoing this surgery as well. Often as a result of the tightness of the abdominal skin from pregnancy, women will seek out this surgery to correct the problem after exercise and diet fail to correct the situation.

Risks 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 surgery

First, the surgeon must evaluate the skin tone of the patient and the size and location of fat deposits in the patient's abdomen. After having looked at these factors, the surgeon will recommend either a partial or full abdominoplasty based on their findings. If fat deposits are to be found only below the navel, then a partial abdominoplasty will likely be their recommendation. If they are more extensive, or simply to result in a better end result for the patient, the surgeon will recommend either a full abdominoplasty or a partial abdominoplasty in tandem with liposuction.

You will be given specific guidelines with respect to diet, drinking, smoking and medications before the surgery. If you develop an infection or cold, your surgery will likely be postponed. Complete abdominoplasty usually takes about 2-5 hours while partial abdominoplasty may take 1-2 hours.

A complete abdominoplasty entails an incision being made from hip to hip, right above the pubis. A second incision will be made near the navel to facilitate the procedure. A partial abdominoplasty requires a much smaller incision, with a second incision often not being needed. - 15252

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