ABDOMINOPLASTY AND LIPOSUCTION

Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure for enhancement of abdominal contour by removing excess abdominal skin with the attached sub-cutaneous fat. Usually during this procedure the fascia (the connective tissue that supports the contentsof the abdomen) is also tightened too. For performing this procedure, the surgeon has to make a cut, which will leave a scar. We usually make the cut just at the pubic hair line so that the scar can be hidden by the underwear or bikinis. This procedure is ideal for women after several child births with loose abdomen and with stretch marks.

Abdominoplaty can be done as a mini tuck (in this type the excess abdominal skin is cut under the umbilicus), or full tuck (in this type the excess abdominal skin is cut above the umbilicus and a new belly button is created.

WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHESIA IS USED?

Usually general anesthesia, spinal or epidural is used. In some small mini tucks we might use local anesthesia.

DO I NEED HOSPITALIZATION?

NO. These procedures are usually done as out patient procedure in surgery centers.

WHAT ARE POSSIBLE RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS?

Like any other surgeries, this surgical procedure carries low risk of complications, including but not limited to, infection, bleeding, wound separation, hematoma (collection of blood) or seroma (collection of serum under the skin), poor healing and keloid formation, skin necrosis, dog-ears at the scar ends, necessity of further surgeries and anesthesia risks.

WHAT ARE THE PRECAUTIONS BEFORE SURGERY?

You should avoid taking blood thinning drugs such as heparin, coumadin, ginko, saint john's wort, garlic ,aspirin and vitamin E about a week prior to your surgery. We strongly recommend you to stop smoking for a month prior to this surgery. You should also avoid smoking for about 3 weeks after this surgery too.

WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS AFTER THE SURGERY?

You will have some pain after the surgery for which we will prescribe pain killers for you. You will be instructed to wear an abdominal support garment for 2 weeks continuously and then partially for another 2 weeks. In some cases you might have to empty the drainage bags that are connected to the drainage tubes which are left under the skin for drainage. We encourage you to get up and walk around after your surgery several times, especially during the first 2 weeks of your recovery period. Your doctor will give you instructions for your shower too.

HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY PERIOD?

Depending on the extent of your surgery, you should expect to be up and around between a few days to few weeks after your surgery.

LIPOSUCTION (liposculpture or tumescent liposuction) is the technique to remove excess skin fat by suction method. This is a safe procedure for body contouring which can be done under local, general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia. Usually there is only a very short down time (depending on the type of anesthesia used or the extent of the procedure. Patients need to wear a support garment following these procedures too. In some cases laser or ultrasound is also used to facilitate this technique.