Abdominoplasty

Anyone who has abdominal skin and fat may be a candidate. With women the problem is usually caused by pregnancy, but is greatly aggravated by weight loss. The muscles of the abdominal wall may be weakened by pregnancy and actually pulled apart in the middle (devarification of recti).

Men are similarly affected by weight loss. Stretch marks (striae) are simple scars which are left after extreme stretching of the skin. They are usually most apparent on the lower part of the abdominal wall. There is no specific treatment for these stretch marks, but many of them are excised in an abdominal reduction and those that are left are tightened making them look less obvious.

Patients that are unable to tighten the abdominal wall skin with exercise or wish to achieve a smoother flatter abdomen will also benefit.

The patient is left with noticeable scars. The main scar runs transversely across the lower part of the abdomen and in a standard abdominoplasty there will be a scar around the umbilicus. Other or different scars may be left where the patient has particular individual problems. Some patients make better scars than others and in any case all scars are red initially. It is essential that the patient understand where these scars will be and should discuss them with the surgeon. Although we try and hide them beneath underwear and swimwear, fashions can change making previously covered scars visible.

There is numbness in the lower part of the abdominal wall after surgery this is usually temporary but could be permanent. Swelling above the scar is usually present due to a collection of tissue fluid, which normally drains to the groin. This swelling or oedema settles down within a few months.

The skin is usually tightened downwards and this does not tighten the waist. If this is desired then one can consider removing skin vertically, but one should bear in mind that vertical scars of the abdomen are less good.

The tissue of the abdominal wall is generally fatter than the groin and if liposuction is not carried out a fatty bulge may remain above the scar.

The beneficial effects of the operation will last well, however, the effects will be maintained better if the patient keeps exercising the muscles and the weight steady. A further pregnancy will of course stretch the skin again, although probably not to the same degree.

The standard abdominoplasty is a large procedure requiring one or two days hospitalisation. Drains are removed when they stop draining blood and serum a few days after the procedure. This fluid can re-accumulate after the drains are removed requiring drainage or aspiration.

Healing can be slow particularly in the tighter central part of the wound and sometimes dressings are needed for a few weeks. This is more common in patients who are overweight and who smoke. This tends to leave more obvious scars, which are tethered – these can be revised.

Secondary procedures are sometimes carried out to tidy up the results and will involve scar revision and limited liposuction. Displacement of the scar will involve scar revision and limited liposuction. Displacement of the umbilicus to one side has been over publicised and is rare. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus are rare complications of any operation including this one.

If you are overweight you would be well advised to diet as best results are obtained in people who are the correct weight for their height. If you are taking the contraceptive pill you should stop doing so for six weeks before surgery and use an alternative method in order to reduce the risk of thrombosis. If you smoke there is a greater risk of chest infection and in particular healing of the abdominal wound is less good.

You will need to be in hospital for one to two days. When you wake up for your operation it is likely that you will be having a transfusion of salt solution. This is quite normal and is to provide you with fluid you need whilst you are not drinking. You are likely to have drainage tubes coming out of each side of the lower abdomen, which are there to drain any collection of blood or serum. You can expect some moderately severe pain for which you will be given pain killing tablets or injections. You will be asked to keep your knees and hips bent to take the strain off your stitches.

Over activity in the early days reduces healing and increases fluid accumulation. Light activities are comfortable in 10 to 20 days. Sports will not be possible for about 6 weeks particularly when the muscles have been strengthened with sutures. A corset is usually helpful to reduce the swelling and improve comfort in the first month.