polskiniemieckiangielski

TUMMY TUCK
SYN. ABDOMINAL REDUCTION, ABDOMINOPLASTY

Preparing for surgery


  • Required laboratory tests: blood cell count, clotting profile (coagulogram), blood group, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fasting blood glucose, blood ion levels, urea, creatinine, ECG, chest X – ray, hepatitis B vaccination, breast ultrasonography.
  • For one week prior to the surgery aspirin, other acetylsalicylic acid products and other blood thinning products should be avoided. Drugs that enhance coagulation and decrease blood vessel wall permeability such as vitamin C and Rutinoscorbin (rutin and ascorbic acid tablets) are recommended.
  • No smoking is recommended for 14 days before the surgery. Food, drinks, chewing gum, chewing sweets (including Tic Tac) are forbidden for six hours before the surgery.
  • Recommended: good health, make – up removal before the surgery.

    • Description of procedure

    Anaesthesia: general or lumbar.

    Length: 2 – 3 hours.

    Discharge from clinic: 2 – 3 days after procedure.

    Abdominoplasty involves surgical resection of excess skin and fatty tissue in order to obtain „a flat tummy”. Sometimes myosplaty of the straight muscles of abdomen is required to tighten the abdominal wall. Loss of elasticity of the abdominal wall is most often found as a result of pregnancy or considerable body weight loss.
    Abdominoplasty can be combined with liposuction. During the abdominoplasty procedure position and shape of the navel can be changed and abdominal hernia can be eliminated.
    The incision is made on the upper border of the pubic area and its position is discussed with the patient before the procedure.

    Recovery

    1. Drains are removed 2 – 3 days after the surgery.
    2. Stitches are removed 7 – 14 days after the surgery.
    3. A pressure garment has to be worn for 30 days after the surgery (the garment is taken off at the follow-up visit).
    4. Sometimes a series of massages is recommended after the surgery to improve elasticity of the skin.
    5. Return to normal activities is possible 2 – 3 weeks after the surgery.
    6. Usually there are: pain alleviated by pain – killer medications, temporary swelling and bruising, temporary paraesthesia (most often numbness); serous fluid may occur resulting in the need for puncture.
    7. Possible complications: haematoma, infection, delayed healing, partial skin necrosis.

    Duration of results

    The full result is seen three months after the surgery. The result is permanent. However significant body weight fluctuations may diminish the effects. Stable body weight (+/- 5 kg) is recommended to maintain the result.

    Frequently asked questions

    I have excess skin on my abdomen left after my pregnancy. It has not disappeared in spite of massage therapy I have gone through. If I decide to undergo abdominoplasty now will the result of the procedure be affected by my second pregnancy which I am planning?

    If you are going to have one more baby I would advise to postpone the procedure until after your second pregnancy. The second pregnancy may destroy the result of the abdominoplasty procedure.

    After my pregnancy I have been left not only with stretched skin but also with considerable stretch marks on the both sides of my abdomen. Is it possible to eliminate the stretch marks during abdominoplasty procedure?

    Stretch marks localized at the lower part of the abdomen, below the navel, can be removed. Unfortunately stretch marks found at the upper part of the abdomen, above the navel, will remain but they will be moved downwards.

    When can I go back to work after tummy tuck?

    I would suggest a 2 – 3 week vacation. It is only after that time that you will be active enough to return to work.