abdominoplasty
DESCRIPTION
The skin and muscles of the anterior abdominal wall can be stretched during pregnancy or excessive weight gain. In some people this leaves loose skin and fat which can cause difficulty with clothing and may look unattractive.
Exercise and diet can help to reverse these changes to some extent but in many people it is difficult to get back to the shape you once had. In these instances surgery may be helpful to tighten the muscles and remove the excess skin (referred to as an abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck").
LENGTH OF PROCEDURE
One and a half to two and half hours
IN/OUTPATIENT
Inpatient
ANAESTHESIA
General
RECOVERY TIME
Six weeks
TREATMENTS REQUIRED
Three
RISKS
Abdominoplasty is an operation with a high level of patient satisfaction if performed by a fully qualified Consultant Plastic Surgeon. Excessive internal bruising (haematoma) occasionally occurs and may require removing some stitches to wash out the bruising from beneath the skin. This has no effect on the long term outcome of surgery.
Infection can occur as with any sort of surgery. This is minimised by careful surgical technique and the preventative administration of antibiotics both at the time of surgery and during the week after. Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clot) in the leg is can occasionally occur. Early mobilisation by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible reduces this considerably. The risk is further reduced by the fact that Mr Grover's anaesthetist ensures you have a calf massaging device applied during the surgery and over night while you are in hospital.
Patients taking the oral contraceptive pill are advised to stop this for one complete cycle before surgery to reduce the risk even further. The skin stitches are all under the surface so that stitch marks are avoided and the finest possible scar is produced. The scar line is usually in a well concealed position, but as with any scar on the abdomen the colour can take up to a year to fade to a fine line.
DURATION OF RESULTS
Long lasting in conjunction with healthy diet and regular exercise
Or call 0845 869 3244