Abdominoplasty: Operation Overview

An abdominoplasty is a plastic surgery operation that is centered on the patient's stomach area. The aim of this procedure is to make the general appearance of the abdominal area firm, without any loose or sagging tissue and skin. Some people think that any overweight person can have this operation done to help with losing weight but this is far from the truth. The reality of it is that a currently obese person should initially lose significant weight in order for the surgery to be a success. The tummy tuck, another name for this technique, can be combined with liposuction centered on the abdominal area to maximize the results.

The patient should pass several interviews and some physical tests in order to qualify as a good candidate for the operation. There are a lot of factors that can affect the operation, hence, the rigid screening of the individual as a candidate for it. The physical and mental health of the prospective patient should be stable and the results should be explained well in order not to have inflated expectations after the abdominoplasty. The medical history of the patient should be examined and underlying conditions should be discussed.

After passing the screening for the tummy tuck, the patient is then scheduled for the tummy tuck. This can take days or weeks depending on the lifestyle of the patient and the schedules of both the patient and the doctor. In the operating room, the individual is placed under general anesthesia because of the pain and discomfort that usually accompanies an abdominoplasty. Vital signs are monitored while the doctor makes incisions, trims of excess skin, tissues and fat from the area. The amount of excess skin, tissues and fat can dictate the kind of method the doctor employs to implement the tummy tuck. There is a partial and a full tummy tuck as well as several others and some combinations of techniques. The doctor and patient usually agree beforehand which technique is appropriate for the person. The procedure can take up to five hours, if there is a combination of liposuction and maybe some complications.

The recovery period can be slow for an abdominoplasty operation because of the location of the incisions and the extent of the surgery. The surgeon always prescribes medication to prevent most complications and the prescription should be followed. It can take several weeks before the full range of movement is attained by the individual. Check ups are usually scheduled so that the doctor can monitor the patient's progress.