The exercises, diets or alternative medicine are being tried for a healthy and more beautiful appearance. Despite all these efforts, some parts of the body resist to shaping and the desired result cannot be obtained. One of these regions is the abdominal region. In women who have given birth or whom are overweight, elasticity loss and lipoidosis are seen in the muscles forming the anterior wall of the skin and abdomen. In this group, it is almost impossible to reshape these 3 structures with exercise and diet. Prolapses may occur in people who lose weight with any method and reduce the fat volume in abdominal region since the skin loses its elasticity.
Abdominoplasty, or alias abdomine lifting is not a direct weight loss surgery. As it is mentioned above, abdominoplasty involves the re-stretching of the abdominal wall muscle, which has lost its elasticity and partial removal of the prolapsed skin. Through this operation, the unwanted prolapse and distension in the abdomen can be removed.
Lipoabdominoplasty
This method is almost identical to the abovementioned conventional abdominoplasty technique. This difference consists of adding liposuction to the application in order to provide a thinner body particularly in patients who have rather thicker subcutaneous adipose tissues. Just as classical abdominoplasty, liposuction involves lifting the abdominal muscles and abdominal skin, after application to the abdominal wall and thinning subcutaneous fat tissue thoroughly.
Am I Suitable for This Operation?
Whether you are SUITABLE for this operation or not can only be determined after an interview and examination. When you want to talk to us, all details about your general health will be reviewed and detailed information about the operation will be provided. Postponement of this operation for women who want to have children in a short time would be the most rational decision.
Your eligibility for classical abdominoplasty or lipoabdominoplasty operation will be decided after the examination.
If you smoke, you will be asked to quit smoking for the best result after the operation. As smoking reduces blood flow by narrowing the vessels in your body, a slow and bad recovery will occur.
Some painkillers such as aspirin should be discontinued a few weeks prior to operation, as they may increase bleeding. Physical examination will reveal if you are a good candidate for this operation.
It should be noted that abdominoplasty is not a direct obesity operation. No plastic surgery is intended to weaken the person directly.
What Type of Anesthesia is Applied?
Abdominoplasty can be performed under general anesthesia or regional anesthesia with spinal-epidural anesthesia combination. The anesthesia method is selected considering the patient's age, health status and personal preference. Regardless of the anesthetic method, the safety of the operation and the comfort of the patient is intended here. Whichever method is used, you will need to stay in the hospital for a few days.
How Long Does The Operation Last?
Depending on the technique to be used and whether or not it is performed with another surgical procedure, it takes approximately 2-3 hours.
Is The Operation Painful?
Although the amount of pain and tenderness varies from person to person, it can be said that abdominoplasty is painful. Epidural anesthesia will be conducted during your stay in the hospital to relieve this pain.
Epidural anesthesia will provide you maximum comfort during this period. Painkillers you will take orally after you leave the hospital will be sufficient.
Because of the nature of the operation, the patient will walk in an inclined position for 5-7 days to reduce the tension on the sutures. This will cause overload and pain in the person's lumbar region. The frequency and severity of low back pain is considerably high.
What Happens After Operation?
When you wake up after operation you should remember that there will be a bandage around your abdomen. This is to reduce post-operative swellings and bleeding. There will be two drain tubes placed under the skin. These tubes will be taken out within 24-48 hours. There will be 1-2 pillows behind your knees after operation. These pillows will keep your legs bent, thus it will reduce abdominal tension. For the first few days you will walk in an oblique position due to the tension in the abdomen, and in the following days you will be able to walk upright gradually.In a full abdominoplasty, a long scar remains in the bikini area which is also called as bikini line. The muscles that form the abdominal wall but which of elasticity is decreased will be re-lifted and drains will be placed for 24-48 hours in order to avoid any problems since surplus skin will be removed. These drains will prevent the remaining liquids that may remain under the skin.
In mini abdominoplasty, there will be only a short trace in the midline. Since the lifting will be limited, there will be no scars around the peritoneal area. In some cases, liposuction can be used with this method to thin the waist and make it more delicate.
What Sort of Changes Should I Expect Shortly After Operation?
Touching the abdomen area will feel like a bit tense and surgical areas will be particularly sensitive. They will gradually diminish and disappear within a few weeks. The initial loss of sensation in the abdominal wall will return to normal within a few months.
How is The Scar Like?
The postoperative scar extends horizontally between the hip bones. The scar stays in the bikini area so it will not be visible when you wear a swimsuit or bikini. Initially this scar may be red and slightly fluffy. Redness and swelling will disappear over time. This period may take up to 18 months.
What Kind of Problems May I Encounter During and After The Operation?
The risk and complication of abdominoplasty performed by a well-experienced plastic surgeon is unlikely. As in all surgical interventions, abdominoplasty has the risk of bleeding, infection, seroma and delayed wound healing.
The risk of infection is minimized by a rigorous surgical approach and antibiotic treatment during the operation. Despite all these precautions, slight infection may develop around the incision and suture, but this can be easily eliminated with good follow-up and care.
Another problem that may occur is the formation of the body fluid called SEROMA under the skin. This liquid is bright yellow. This fluid usually occurs in the lower part of the abdomen and can be felt by the patient as a fluid that moves under the skin. It usually reveals in 10th day after surgery. If there is an accumulation of fluid to cause pain and discomfort, the fluid is removed by needle. Small openings may occur at the junction of the wound within 2-3 weeks after operation. This can be easily eliminated with good wound care.
How Long Does It Take Me to Return to Normal?
Abdominoplasty is a serious and significant operation. Therefore, it will take a few weeks for you to feel completely well. As the healing process varies from person to person, some people may start to do chores within 1-2 weeks, while others may need a rest for 1-2 weeks. Walking will help you get better in the first 3-4 weeks. This will improve existing blood circulation, accelerate recovery and rapidly reduce swelling. Heavy lifting and heavy work should be avoided up to 6 weeks after operation.
