Abdominoplasty - a patient guide - Dr Nicholas LotzAbdominoplasty is a commonly performed...
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Prepared by Dr Nicholas Lotz MBBS BSc(Med) FRACS SUMMARY Abdominoplasty is an operation which firms and contours the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat as well as tightening the abdominal wall muscles. Abdominoplasty will improve your self-confidence and often gives you an increased willingness to exercise. A patient guide to understanding Abdominoplasty PRACTICE LOCATIONS Level 1, 357 Military Rd Mosman 2088 Suite 119, 20 Dale St Brookvale 2100 Email: [email protected] www.drnicholaslotz.com.au FOR ALL APPOINTMENTS CALL 1300 304 209 North Shore Cosmetic Surgery is a group of Plastic Surgeons dedicated to providing a high standard of service to the North Shore. All members are Fellows of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons, Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, and have been trained to the highest possible standards. North Shore Cosmetic Surgery provides a comprehensive range of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures, as well as a full range of ancillary treatments.
Transcript of Abdominoplasty - a patient guide - Dr Nicholas LotzAbdominoplasty is a commonly performed...
Prepared by
Dr Nicholas LotzMBBS BSc(Med) FRACS
SUMMARY
Abdominoplasty is an operationwhich firms and contours theabdomen by removing excessskin and fat as well as tighteningthe abdominal wall muscles.Abdominoplasty will improve yourself-confidence and often givesyou an increased willingness toexercise.
A patient guide to understanding
AbdominoplastyPRACTICE LOCATIONS
Level 1, 357 Military RdMosman 2088
Suite 119, 20 Dale StBrookvale 2100
Email: [email protected]
www.drnicholaslotz.com.au
FOR ALL APPOINTMENTS CALL
1300 304 209
North Shore Cosmetic Surgery is a group of PlasticSurgeons dedicated to providing a high standardof service to the North Shore.
All members are Fellows of the Royal AustralianCollege of Surgeons, Australian Society of PlasticSurgeons and Australian Society of AestheticPlastic Surgeons, and have been trained to thehighest possible standards.
North Shore Cosmetic Surgery provides acomprehensive range of cosmetic andreconstructive plastic surgery procedures,as well as a full range of ancillarytreatments.
INTRODUCTION
Abdominoplasty is a commonly performedbody-contouring procedure to improve the shapeand tone of your abdomen. This operation is oftenreferred to as a ‘tummy tuck’. The operation issuitable for people with loose abdominal skinfollowing pregnancy or significant weight loss, orif you have fatty bulges in the lower tummythat you just can’t get rid of with exercise. Anabdominoplasty removes any excess skin and fatas well as improving the abdominal contour bytightening the muscle layer. Liposuction is oftenperformed at the same time to optimise the result.
The surgery results in a firmer abdomen with a moreflattering contour. It will be much easier to findsuitable clothing with the resulting decrease in yourwaist measurement. The operation will also improveyour self-confidence, motivation and ability toexercise.
PRE-OPERATIVE ASSESSMENT
As in all cosmetic surgery, it is important for you totell your surgeon the specific areas that concernyou. These may include loose skin, stretch marks,fatty bulges, loose abdominal wall muscle tone,rashes, backache and difficulty with clothes. Youshould also tell your surgeon if you have othermedical problems which can affect woundhealing, such as smoking and diabetes, as well asrisk factors for deep venous thrombosis (DVT orleg vein clots). Previous abdominal operationsmay limit the result that can be obtained.
It is ideal for you to be as close as possible to yourtarget weight as this minimises complications andoptimises your final result. People contemplatingfuture pregnancies or significant weight loss arebest to defer surgery.
Your surgeon will discuss the operation with you,as well as showing before and after operationphotographs and giving you written informationabout the operation. The expected scars, as wellas the other risks of the operation will beexplained.
THE SURGERY
Abdominoplasty is performed under a generalanaesthetic taking approximately three hours.There are many variations on the procedureranging from a mini-abdominoplasty withendoscopic abdominal wall tightening to a fullabdominoplasty involving removal of excess skinand fat, tightening of the abdominal wall musclesand repositioning of the umbilicus (belly button).Your surgeon will discuss which procedure isright for you.
AFTER THE SURGERY
After the operation your abdomen or stomach willfeel very tight and you may have a slightly flexedposture for a couple of weeks. This means youwill be slightly bent over, not able to stand upcompletely straight. Most patients stay inhospital for 2-4 days. Recovery times vary withmost people being able to return to work in twoto four weeks, with no sport or heavy lifting for6-8 weeks.
