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Body Procedures:
 
Abdominal Surgery: Tummy Tuck
Some
women experience a severe inability to lose
weight around their middle and lower abdomen. This
extra fat may be result of pregnancy or may be the
after -effect of a weight loss regimen that has left the
abdomen with a layer of soft, flabby tissue that will not
respond to any further exercise or dieting. In these
cases, abdominoplasty surgery to remove the
remaining fat and tighten the abdominal muscles and
the skin popularly known as a "tummy tuck" may be
an option.
Procedure:
The
full technique involves several hours of surgery; how-
ever, smaller mini-tucks may take only an hour or two to
perform. Often a liposuction is preformed to reduce the fatty
tissue in the upper belly area. The basic procedure involves
making an incision across the abdomen from hipbone to
hipbone above the pubic region. A second incision is then
made to enable the
repositioning of the belly button, unless the tummy tuck is only a
partial/mini-
abdominoplasty.
Next the skin is separated from the abdominal wall, and the
underlying muscles are pulled tight and
stitched together,
resulting in a thinner waistline and firmer abdominal muscles. The
skin is then
reattached and any excess
skin is cut and removed. Finally, the surgical opening is closed and
dressings are applied.
Recovery:
Recovery time, of coarse, depends on the complexity of the
procedure. In general, it may be difficult
to stand upright at first,
however, patients are encouraged to begin standing and walking as
soon as
possible. Patients will be able
to return to work within a month-usually after two weeks-as well as
remove their dressings. Any
pain or discomfort will be ameliorated by medications prescribed by
Dr
Schmidt.
In order to help quicken the healing process, Dr Schmidt will most
likely recommend an exercise
program. Exercise serves to reduce
swelling, lower your chance for blood clots, and begins to tone the
affected muscles. Immediate vigorous
exercise, however, is not recommended. Any scars that appear
will take anywhere from nine months
to a year to flatten out and lighten in color. They will most likely
never disappear completely but most
scars will not show under clothing, even under bathing suits. |
