subject: The Abdominoplasty Procedure And What To Expect [print this page] An abdominoplasty is a type of surgical procedure more commonly known as a tummy tuck. This procedure provides outstanding results to many men and women who want to get rid of some of the excess skin and tissue they have in their mid-section. It is not meant as a weight loss tool. Rather, it can help you to clean up and improve the shape and contours of your body after significant weight loss. If you are not sure if this is the right procedure for your needs, consider just how effective it can be. For many, it is ideal.
Anesthesia First
Your doctor's first step in performing the abdominoplasty is to provide anesthesia for you. This procedure is performed under general anesthetic. This means you will be sedated through an intravenous method so that you are asleep and unable to feel pain throughout the procedure. Your doctor will ultimately decide, along with the help of an anesthesiologist what the best possible option is for you.
The Incision
Once you are asleep, the doctor will make the incision. This is a very specific procedure often designed specifically for your body's shapes and needs. Ultimately, your doctor is going to do what works for your body. However, the process usually involves an incision that runs horizontally between the public hairline and the navel. The length and shape are dependent on your needs.
Your doctor will then make repairs to the abdominal muscles in this area. Sutures are put in place. Then, excess fat and tissue, as well as skin in some cases, is removed from the area. Then, the doctor will create a second incision located around the navel. This can remove some of the excess skin located in the upper abdomen as necessary.
Closing Up
Once the procedure is complete and the changes are made, the doctor will then close the incisions. This is done through the use of sutures and skin adhesives. Sometimes, additional methods are used to minimize scarring as well.
Afterwards
You will have significant bandaging around your mid-section after the procedure. The primary goal here is to allow the body time to heal. However, a compression garment may also be necessary. This helps to reduce any swelling that occurs because of the procedure. It can also encourage you to have more support for sitting up and moving.
An abdominoplasty is a significant procedure that is very invasive. It is only performed on individuals who are otherwise healthy enough for the procedure. Your doctor should be an expert in this field. Keep in mind that you will need time to heal but you should be able to move around within a day or so after having the procedure.
