What are the advantages?
Significant weight loss, childbirth or aging sometimes lead to excess sagging skin and fat in the abdomen. Abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck) and mini-abdominoplasty redefine the abdomen by removing skin and fat and, sometimes, correcting muscle sagging.
Is it for me?
The best candidates for abdominoplasty are physically fit men and women who are bothered by fat accumulation and sagging skin that does not improve despite exercise and a healthy diet. For example, this procedure is particularly suitable for women who have had pregnancies that have stretched the skin and muscles of the abdomen and older people who have lost the elasticity of their skin. If you plan to lose weight significantly, it may be best to delay surgical intervention. A tummy tuck can improve your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your relationships with others. Before opting for this intervention, clarify your expectations and discuss them with Dre Duclos. She will be happy to answer clearly and precisely all your questions and to inform you about the most appropriate treatments for your situation. telling you their advantages and disadvantages.
What techniques are used?
Abdominoplasty involves lifting the skin and fat from the abdominal wall to the ribs and removing the excess by pulling downward. When necessary, the muscles of the abdomen wall are sutured together, allowing the waist to be slimmed down. An incision is then made to suture the umbilicus to its new location on the skin. This procedure can significantly reduce the protruding appearance of the abdomen. However, it leaves a permanent scar which can, depending on the extent of the situation and the intervention, extend from one hip to the other.
When a mini abdominoplasty is performed, the incision is usually more limited, the skin and fat are lifted to the navel, pulled down and the excess portion is excised.
What should I expect?
During the consultation, Dr. Duclos will assess your state of health, the quantity and quality of the skin, the quantity and location of fat and the muscular wall of your stomach. She may then recommend a full abdominoplasty, a mini-abdominoplasty, that is to say a more limited intervention with or without liposuction of the stomach or hips, or even only liposuction, which may be considered more appropriate than a abdominoplasty. She will tell you the exact location of the incisions, explain the risks inherent to the procedure, tell you about its progress, generally under general anesthesia, and give you pre- and post-operative instructions.
Before the operation, you will need to obtain an abdominal girdle and anti-embolism stockings for the day of the operation. The morning of the procedure, you will need to put on the anti-embolism stockings when you get up. The duration of the intervention depends on its extent. The procedure takes place under general anesthesia. Suction drains will likely be placed to prevent fluid or blood from accumulating between the skin and the abdominal wall. These are usually removed during the first medical visit.
You will then be under observation until your condition allows you to leave the clinic. A prescription for pain medication, instructions and the date of the next appointment will be given to you before your departure. Plan to ask someone to drive you home. Following the procedure (especially the first two days), you will feel pain and discomfort which will be relieved with the prescribed medication. Swelling will appear and be at its maximum two or three days after the procedure. The final result will be visible approximately 6 months after the procedure. If you have drains, there will be fluid leaking and the drains will need to be emptied at regular intervals. You will need to note the amount of liquid and the time you empty them. The nurse will give you all the details before you leave the clinic. You will need to avoid getting your dressing wet.
During the first week following the procedure, it is recommended to place one or two pillows under the knees for sleeping. You will be encouraged to walk regularly after the procedure to minimize the risk of thrombophlebitis. You will need to get anti-embolism stockings and wear them until your activities resume. You will need to wear a girdle at all times for the first two weeks after the operation, and about 12 hours a day for the next two weeks.
Most patients who have undergone this procedure return to work 2 to 4 weeks after the operation. In general, you will be able to resume your sporting activities one month after the procedure. You will need to avoid exposing the scars to sunlight or tanning salon rays for 6 months.
What are the risks?
In the vast majority of cases, the results are very satisfactory. However, any surgical procedure carries risks that are important to be aware of. Here are the most common.
An infection may require antibiotics or drainage. Hemorrhage or bleeding may require surgery to repair the bleeding vessel and remove clots that have formed.
Thrombophlebitis can occur, which can cause various problems such as pulmonary embolism and, in very rare cases, death. You can minimize the risk by wearing anti-embolism stockings and walking regularly soon after surgery.
Poor healing could require future corrections. Delayed healing and skin necrosis may occur, particularly in smokers.
