Abdomen Liposuction
One of the most common of all cosmetic procedures, abdominal liposuction is a technique for re-contouring the body by permanently removing fat deposits from the abdomen. The tendency to accumulate fat in the abdomen ( stomach area )may be inherited, and this fat is often especially resistant to diet and exercise. Many patients become discouraged at having lost unwanted pounds without seeing a flatter abdomen. A common complaint is that exercise is just "making my stomach flatter", or after months of exercise and overall improvement there has ben no change in the waistline. Simply put the overall proportions of the body may be unbalanced, or the abdomen may simply have retained areas of fatty tissue that cause it to protrude. In these cases, liposuction can successfully trim excess fat in the abdomen for a flatter " stomach " or a thinner waistline, thus achieving a more slender, balanced shape.
How is liposuction performed?
Before surgery, the surgeon will mark the precise areas of the body where the fat is to be removed. An intravenous (IV) line will be inserted in a vein in your arm to make sure the fluid level in your body stays within healthy limits throughout the procedure. If you are not undergoing general anesthesia, you may be given a sedative for relaxation.
During the procedure, the surgeon makes a tiny incision in the skin, typically in the navel or just below the bikini line, and inserts a thin tube called a cannula into the fatty area. The cannula is used to break up the fat deposits and sculpt the area to the desired proportions. The unwanted fat is removed with a powerful vacuum, leaving the skin, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels intact. There are different techniques used for liposuction, your doctor will decided what technique is best for you and you type of liposuction.
What is the recovery period like?
Most of the bruising and swelling should subside within three weeks. To speed the healing process your surgeon will probably tell you to begin light activity as soon as possible.
You should be able to return to work within a few days if your work is fairly sedentary. You should avoid strenuous activities for several weeks as your body heals, but within 4 to 6 weeks you should be able to resume all normal activities. It’s important to continue wearing the compression garment, which should be easily hidden under your clothing, until your doctor tells you that it is no longer necessary
You should see visible results of your surgery within two or three weeks, but the full effects may not be evident for six months to a year. The more fat that you had removed, the longer it will take to achieve optimal results, because the skin has to adapt to a more radical change in shape.
Risks and limitations
Although liposuction is the most commonly performed cosmetic plastic surgery procedure and the majority of these operations are successful, there are risks and limitations to the procedure, as with any surgery.
After surgery, some patients experience dimpling, lumpiness, numbness, scarring, discoloration, or sagging skin in the treated area. Follow-up surgery may be needed to correct these problems.
More serious complications include blood clots, infection, excessive fluid loss leading to shock, pulmonary embolism due to dislodged fat or blood clot, fluid build-up in the lungs, and drug overdose. A combination of the following factors is associated with an increased risk of serious complications:
- The removal of large amounts of fat
- More than one procedure being performed at the same time
- The use of general anesthesia
In order to minimize these risks, it is important that you follow all of your surgeon’s instructions, both before and after surgery.
Abdomenoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Although, the concepts of beauty and ideal weight have varied over time, a firm, toned abdomen and narrow waistline have been universally admired since antiquity .
A protruding abdomen can be the result of excess fat, skin laxity or abdominal muscle weakness .
What is abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)?
It’s a surgical procedure designed to flatten a protruding abdomen by excess skin excision and liposuction and abdominal muscles tightening according to the problem .
Who is the good candidate?
Patients that are stabilized in their weight loss program or who feel they are at the ideal weight are the best candidate for a tummy tuck .
Women who plan future pregnancies should wait, as vertical muscle tightening during surgery can separate again during pregnancy
About incisions
A full abdominoplasty involves an incision around the umbilicus and another incision from hip to hip. Miniabdominoplasty involves only smaller incision in the lower abdominal crease .
What are the post operative sequelae ?
Ambulation is encouraged as early as the night of surgery. Pain can be controlled with oral medication. Discharge from the hospital could be within hours or may extend for 1-2 days. Generally, exercise will help you feel better. Drains will remain for 1-7 days until discharge fluid decreases. Swelling experienced for 3 weeks after surgery especially if liposuction is an adjuvant maneuver. Sutures will be removed in 1-2 weeks. A special abdominal support garment is necessary especially for the first month and better longer if muscle repair is done .
Back to work can be within 1-3 weeks according to the degree of surgery. Satisfaction phase will start after 4 weeks with dramatic figure and slim flat abdomen .
What are the possible complications ?
The results of abdominoplasty are mostly successful and satisfactory and thousands of patients enjoy their post operative appearance. However, there are some general risks associated with surgery and specific complications related to this procedure .
Blood collection, infection, delayed healing or poor scars are the possible infrequent complications which can be controlled easily .
Are there any precautions to reduce the risk of complications ?
Following the surgeon’s instructions is the corner stone of safe operation .
Pre operative stoppage of smoking and certain medications. Post operative dressing, showering, nutrition and physical activity are also very important related instructions to be followed .
