Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck can help to improve the appearance of the abdominal area. Pregnancy, previous surgery or dramatic weight changes, can cause excess accumulation of fat or skin around the abdomen, which can lead to both physical discomfort and uneasiness about the appearance of the body. The appearance of the abdomen can be changed with a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty to a leaner shape which would fit better into clothes.
The abdominoplasty procedure requires the plastic surgeon to make an incision extending from hipbone to hipbone. The surgeon lifts the skin and fat to reveal the underlying muscle. He may stitch the muscle together and then stretch the skin back over the new, firmer muscle, removing excess skin and fat. In cases where fat is concentrated in the lower abdomen, a mini tummy tuck, or partial abdominoplasty, may be an option. In this procedure at our practice, a smaller incision can be used.
While the tummy tuck will result in scarring, the surgeon will try and make sure that this scarring is as inconspicuous as possible. Directly following the procedure, patients experience some pain, soreness, swelling, or bruising around the abdomen. Complications include haematoma, infection, loss of skin, wide or lumpy scars, loss of sensation in lower abdomen and upper thighs, dog ears (folds of tissue at ends of scars).
All surgical procedures carry certain risks and there are limitations of what can be achieved. A full and frank discussion with the surgeon is the only way to gain a clear insight into the procedure and allow you to make an informed decision about your surgery.
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