For Your Initial Consultation
Dr. Weider will evaluate your health, determine the extent
of fat deposits in your abdominal region, and carefully assess
your skin and abdominal muscle tone. You will have ample opportunity
to discuss your expectations with Dr. Weider. He, in turn, will
give you a realistic assessment of what can be achieved.
This
will include describing alternatives and the risks and limitations
of each option. If, for example, your fat deposits are limited
to the area below the navel, you may require a less complex
procedure called a mini-abdominoplasty, also know as a mini-tummy
tuck which is usually performed in conjuction with liposuction.
I some instances in which a patient has good muscle and skin
tone, liposuction alone can create the best result. Dr. Weider
will work with you to recommend the procedure that is right
for you and will come closest to producing the desired body
contour. During the consultation, Dr. Weider will also explain
the anesthesia he will use and the type of facility where the
surgery will be performed. His office staff will review the
costs involved assist you with our various payment options.
Best Candidates for Abdominoplasty
Patients who intend to lose a lot of weight should postpone
the surgery. Also, women who plan future pregnancies should
wait, as vertical muscles in the abdomen that are tightened
during surgery can separate again during pregnancy
Prepairing for Your Surgery
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to
prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking,
smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins, and medications.
If you smoke, plan to quit at least one to two weeks before
your surgery and not to resume for at least two weeks after
your surgery. Avoid overexposure to the sun before surgery,
especially to your abdomen, and do not go on a stringent diet,
as both can inhibit your ability to heal. If you develop a cold
or infection of any kind, your surgery will probably be postponed.
Whether your surgery is done on an outpatient or inpatient basis,
you should arrange for someone to drive you home after your
surgery, and to help you out for a day or two after you leave
the hospital, if needed.
The Surgery
Abdominoplasty typically takes three to five hours, depending
on the extent of work required. Most commonly, the surgeon will
make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone, ,just above the
pubic area. A second incision is made to free the navel from
surrounding tissue. With partial abdominoplasty, the incision
is much shorter and the navel may not be moved, although it
may be pulled into an unnatural shape as the skin is tightened
and stitched.
Next, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall
all the way up to your ribs and lifts a large skin flap to reveal
the vertical muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are tightened
by pulling them close together and stitching them into their
new position. This provides a firmer abdominal wall and narrows
the waistline. The skin flap is then stretched down and the
extra skin is removed. A new hole is cut for your navel, which
is then stitched in place. Finally, the incisions will be stitched,
dressings will be applied, and a temporary tube may be inserted
to drain excess fluid from the surgical site. In partial abdominoplasty,
the skin is separated only between the incision line and the
navel. This skin flap is stretched down, the excess is removed,
and the flap is stitched back into place.
After Your Surgery
For the first few days, your abdomen will probably be swollen
and you're likely to feel some pain and discomfort which can
be controlled by medication. For your safety and comfort, Dr.
Weider typically asks you to spend the night at the surgical
facility. You will be able to go home the following morning.
You will be provided with instructions for dressing changes
and the drain care. And though you may not be able to stand
straight at first, you should start walking as soon as possible.
You will be provided with a support garment to be worn for the
first three to four weeks after surgery.
Getting Back to Normal
It may take you weeks or months to feel like your old self
again. If you start out in top physical condition with strong
abdominal muscles, recovery from abdominoplasty will be much
faster. Some people return to work after two weeks, while others
take three or four weeks to rest and recuperate.
Your scars may actually appear to worsen during the first three
to six months as they heal, but this is normal. Expect it to
take nine months to a year before your scars flatten out and
lighten in color. While they'll never disappear completely,
abdominal scars will not show under most clothing, even under
bathing suits.
