subject: An Abdominoplasty Procedure Is Offered By Plastic Surgeons To Enhance A Person's Abdomen [print this page] The cosmetic surgeon that you choose will conduct both a careful examination and medical history in order to properly evaluate your overall and general health. Ideally, the tummy tuck patient will have no health problems, and will wish only to remove any excess deposit of loose abdominal skin or fat. Any patient who is on a weight-loss plan should be very close to the target weight they have set before they have the operation performed. Women who are planning any future pregnancies should delay receiving a tummy tuck, as pregnancy stretch the abdomen again.
Your plastic surgeon will make sure to take photographs both before and after the surgery. Antibiotics will be prescribed to you prior to your tummy tuck surgery to prevent any infection. To minimize the risk of excess bleeding, you will have to make sure that you avoid any drugs containing aspirin. Also, you will be advised to bathe with an antiseptic soap for a few days before the surgery.
An abdominoplasty surgery is typically performed at an office or hospital with a general anesthesia. You will likely be given medication before the surgery so that you feel relaxed. The entire procedure may take between two and five hours. The amount depending of course on the patient's overall condition. There is a possibility that you will be released after a few hours, but you may require a few days in the hospital.
The tummy tuck procedure itself is typically performed by creating a U-shaped incision below one of the hipbones, across the pubic area, and then under the other hipbone. A second incision will then be made around the navel. After that, the skin will be separated from the wall of the abdomen and will be lifted up to the hipbone. This will expose loose tissue that is covering the abdominal muscle.
Stretched out, loose muscles are then tightened with sutures and excess fat and skin are removed. The skin is then lowered over the abdomen and the navel is reconstructed. The incisions that were made are then sutured together. Plastic surgeons often use drains that they insert to eliminate a build-up of fluids. They also often use elastic bandages to keep the area safe and supported.
The speed of your recovery will depend on many things. Most of all it will depend on your physical condition prior to your procedure. A person who has stronger abdominal muscles is going to recovery much faster. You will need to allow at least two to four weeks to recuperate before you return to work.
