Disclaimer
This article is general information only and does not replace medical advice. If you have symptoms, concerns, or questions about your health, please seek advice from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
An abdominoplasty may be an option for individuals who have been through pregnancy or significant weight loss and wish to address an excess of skin or muscle separation of the abdomen.
What is an abdominoplasty?
An abdominoplasty involves the removal of excess fat and skin from the lower abdominal area, and repairing rectus muscle separation if present to address abdominal contour. Read on to find out more about the procedure, and what to expect from the recovery process…
Who is a suitable candidate?
There are a few reasons one may consider an abdominoplasty surgery. After pregnancy there may be an excess of lower abdominal skin that is resistant to diet and exercise and there may be a separation of the stomach muscles that may have not returned to their pre-pregnancy position despite targeted exercise.
Abdominoplasty may also be appropriate for individuals who have lost a considerable amount of weight. Significant weight loss often results in laxity and excess of skin — during the abdominoplasty process, this excess skin is removed, and the stomach muscles are repaired as required.
If you are considering abdominoplasty, it is important to know that you should be at a stable and healthy body weight before going ahead with the surgery and at least 12 months after delivery and have completed your family.
What is the recovery like?
After your surgery, you can expect to experience some pain and swelling. Your surgeon or anaesthetist will prescribe some medications to assist with discomfort. You will need to wear a compression garment for around six weeks following surgery — this will support your abdomen and help to control swelling during recovery.
It is important that you avoid strenuous activity for around six weeks after your abdominoplasty. Be sure to attend all your follow-up appointments and raise any concerns that you have with your surgeon throughout your recovery period.
Once you have healed completely it is advisable that you maintain a stable and healthy body weight.
How can we help?
If you would like to find out more about abdominoplasty and what the treatment involves, please have a look here.
If you would like to arrange a consultation with Dr Sophie Ricketts, please don’t hesitate to get in touch here.
Surgical Disclaimer
Surgical outcomes vary between individuals. A consultation is required to determine suitability, discuss risks, alternatives, and what may be achievable for your anatomy.
For further information including risks and complications of this surgery go to Dr Sophie Ricketts’ website www.drsophiericketts.com.au/procedures/
