Abdominoplasty
WHAT IS AN ABDOMINOPLASTY?
An abdominoplasty, sometimes known as a ‘tummy tuck’, aims to remove sagging skin and excess fat to improve the shape and tone of the abdomen.
The procedure may be suited for individuals with excess, visibly sagging skin around the tummy area resulting from significant weight loss, pregnancy or skin ageing.
The result is a flatter, firmer and more shapely abdomen.
THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE
This procedure can be cosmetic or reconstructive. The procedure itself generally lasts for 2-4 hours and is performed while you are under general anaesthesia.
There are two types of abdominoplasty:
- A full abdominoplasty – removes excess skin and tightens underlying muscles across the whole abdominal area, including around the navel
- A partial abdominoplasty – removes excess skin below the navel and tightens the lower abdominal muscles only
Abdominoplasty surgery is performed at Lingard Private Hospital.
RECOVERY & HEALING
You may be in hospital for 3-5 days after surgery. Recovery times can vary significantly from person to person. You should allow 4-6 weeks for initial recovery following your surgery. Scar maturation often takes longer, up to a year or more.
It is important to note that this surgery is not an alternative to weight loss. An abdominoplasty is not intended to take the place of exercise regimes or healthy eating.
BENEFITS OF AN ABDOMINOPLASTY
- A smoother, firmer or sculpted abdomen area
- Greater abdominal muscle control (Improved core strength)
- More clothing options
- Improved ability to exercise
MEDICARE CRITERIA
The Medicare item number is 30177. You may be able to claim a rebate from Medicare and your health fund for Abdominoplasty if:
- You have divarication of your rectus muscle (your abdominal muscles are stretched/weakened)
- You have lost a significant amount of weight – it must be at least 5 BMI points
- Your weight has remained stable for at least 6 months
- You experience persistent skin rashes or excoriation that have not responded to medical treatment
- You have excessive skin that interferes with your daily activities
With any procedure you choose to undergo, potential risks and complications can occur, and it is vital to understand them before deciding on surgery.
Some risks and complications specific to abdominoplasty surgery may include:
- Wound infection (treatment with antibiotics may be needed)
- Pain and discomfort around the incisions
- Haematoma (an accumulation of blood around the surgical site that may require drainage)
- Visible and prominent scars including keloid and hypertrophic scars. These are raised, red and thickened scars that may form over the healed incisions. They may be itchy, annoying and unsightly but are not a threat to health
- Numbness around operated sites. In most cases, this is temporary and will improve over many months
- Areas of skin that do not heal and may require a skin graft
- Difficulty in bending forward due to the tightened skin. Other movements may also feel constrained
- Excess fluid accumulation under the skin (known as a seroma) around an operated site that may require one or more drainage procedures with a needle
- In the unlikely event that blood loss during surgery has been large, a transfusion may be needed
- Nausea (typically from the anaesthesia which usually settles down quickly)
- Deep vein thrombosis and risks associated with general anaesthesia must be considered
- Asymmetry and contour irregularities
- Dog ears (an excess ‘pucker’ of skin and fatty tissue at the end of an incision line) may occur but these normally settle
- Need for revision surgery
There are some important things to keep in mind:
- Abdominoplasty is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program. Keep in mind that while the results of the procedure are technically permanent, the positive outcome can be greatly diminished by significant fluctuations in your weight. For that reason, you may be asked to consider delaying the procedure if you are planning to get pregnant, as the result of the surgery may be lost.
- Abdominoplasty is not considered a treatment for stretch marks, although any stretch marks in the treated area will be removed along with excess skin.
Dr Kirstin Miteff will go into more depth about the associated risks and complications during your consultation.