What is abdominoplasty operation?
In this operation, all sagging skin and fat tissue under the navel are extracted; the middle abdominal region and the muscle tissue at abdominal wall are tightened. In this operation, saggy abdominal appearance is corrected dramatically, and the person has a smooth abdominal region contour.
Together with this operation, which additional operations might be required?
In the first examination, the surgeon will assess the general health condition, the fat amount and distribution at the abdominal region, the sagginess and excessiveness of the abdominal skin, and the skin quality. As a result of the patient’s expectations and examination findings, it is decided whether the patient is a suitable patient or not, for abdominoplasty alone or together with liposuction, or only for mini-abdominoplasty. As only liposuction may be sufficient in some patients, liposuction may be performed together with abdominoplasty operation, also for the purpose of reducing excessive fattening at upper abdominal and waist region. By these combined procedures, the patient downsizes for a few sizes and is saved from an ugly body contour.
To whom abdominoplasty operation is applied?
Women and men, who do not respond to diet and exercise, who have abdominal skin fattening and sagging, and who have non-smooth body contours, are candidates for this operation. Abdominoplasty is not a treatment for fatness, it is a contour operation. This operation is extremely beneficial especially in women, who have had a few deliveries, who have skin marks and sagging formed at the abdominal region skin, and whose abdominal muscles have been weakened. In the operation, skin marked skin and fat tissues under the navel are removed away; loosened muscle tissue and the possible herniation at the abdominal wall are repaired. Before this operation, the possible weight loss by diet ensures that you obtain better results. Since abdominal region deformation may occur again in women, who think about a new delivery after the operation, the operation should be delayed. Moreover, in patients, who smoke heavily, and in cases, which have diabetes disease developing by out-of-control high fasting blood glucose, after this type of operations, there might be delays in wound healing and local skin losses, dependent on the nourishment disorder of the skin. Thus, we advise that the smoking patient quits smoking 4 weeks before the operation and 2 weeks after it. If used, aspirin should be interrupted. Heavy diet regimens should be avoided before the operation. Common cold or another infection cause the operation to be delayed.
Under which anesthesia is the operation performed and what are applied?
Abdominoplasty operations are performed under general anesthesia, by having the patient sleep and feeling no pain. Generally it is an operation of 2-3 hours. During the operation, a long cut is performed, which extends between the hipbone ledges. This cut is at the same location as it is in caesarian operations. After the loose abdominal skin and fatty layer are removed, abdominal muscles, which have loosened, are brought close to each other tightly by sutures. If there is herniation, it is repaired. Thus, a thinner waist and tighter abdominal wall are obtained. Excess skin and fat tissue are extracted by being cut. Thin drainages are placed at the site of the operation in a way to remove the outflow. These are removed at the 2nd and 3rd day after the operation.
What is mini abdominoplasty?
And in some cases, where there is only localized fattening and abdominal wall looseness only at the under-the-navel level and where the body contour is not much deformed, “mini abdominoplasty“ procedure is performed. This is a lighter surgical procedure, no cut is performed around the navel, and cutting line is shorter. The site of the navel does not change.
What are the complications, which may form in the abdominoplasty operation?
After the operation, infection, blood clot under the skin, or accumulation of serum outflow are very rare. Deformations in skin nourishment may be observed in smokers and diabetes patients. For minimizing these, having the patients walk at early period and having them move are required.
What are the difficulties, which can be experienced after the operation?
For the first few days, there might be pains and sense of tightness due to tissue swelling. However, these complaints diminish by special corset and pain killers to be used for 3 weeks after the operation. Although the operation of scar is long, it may appear to worsen for the first 3 – 6 months, however this is normal. Smoothing and fading away of the traces may take 9 months to 1 year. However, this scar is a scar, which can be camouflaged conveniently within bathing suit or underwear.
When does one return back to normal life after the operation?
The corset used increases the patient’s comfort highly. The patient, who is hospitalized for one night, is had standing up and walking the next day. About 2 – 3 weeks later, he/she may return back to light-tempo work life or school life. Walking with tempo and exercises can be started after 3 months. By post-operative exercises, abdominal muscles are strengthened and if weight gain is prevented by diet, much perfect results can be obtained from the operation.