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Frequently Asked Questions
ABDOMINAL PLASTIC (Tummy Tuck)
- HOW MANY KILOS WILL I LOSE WITH ABDOMINAL PLASTIC SURGERY?
Since this is a surgery in which a certain amount of skin and fat is removed, obviously there will be a reduction in body weight, which may vary according to the abdomen volume of each patient. However, the removed “kilos” will not determine the aesthetic result, but the proportion maintained by the abdomen in relation to the rest of the trunk and arms and legs. Paradoxically, bellies that present better aesthetic results are exactly those in which the least is removed. This is the case of women with some flax abdominal area as a result of one or more pregnancies, with predominance of skin over the fat deposit located in the abdomen. These cases give rise to excellent results. In other cases, in which the patient is overweight, the result will also be worthy and proportional to the rest of the body; however, excessive fat deposited in areas around the abdomen will remain. Accordingly, we recommend those people with this problem to take up a clinical or physiotherapy treatment in order to balance the different parts.
- ARE ABDOMINAL SURGERY SCARS VERY VISIBLE?
Scars arising out of abdominal plastic surgeries are located horizontally, immediately above pubic hair, prolonging laterally over a longer or narrower extension, depending on the abdominal volume to be corrected. This scar is planned to be hidden under bathing suits (in same cases even thongs may be worn), and will inevitably be subject to different evolution periods, such as the following:
IMMEDIATE PERIOD: Up to the 30th day and presents excellent and barely visible aspect. In some cases, there is slight reaction to sutures or to bandages.
INTERMEDIATE PERIOD: From the 30th day up to the 12th month. In this period, there will be a natural thickness of the scar, as well as changes in its color, from “reddish” to “brownish”, which will become lighter over time. This period is the least favorable for cicatrization evolution and the most worrisome to patients. As we are not able to speed natural cicatrization process, we recommend patients not to worry, since the next period (late period) will be in charge of diminishing scar traces.
LATE PERIOD: From the 12th up to the 18th month. In this period, scar will be lighter and less consistent reaching, thus its definite aspect. Any evaluation of the definite result of an abdominal surgery will be after this period.
- HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO OBTAIN DEFINITE RESULT?
In the previous answer, some considerations were made regarding scar evolution. Now, we are going to talk about the new abdomen, regarding its consistency, sensitivity, volume, etc.
1- In the first months, the abdomen presents relative numbness, in addition to being subject to swelling, which will diminish spontaneously.
2- In this phase, it will present a "stretched" or "flat" aspect. Day by day, if you follow the exercises recommended for modeling, the definite result will appear gradually. No result should be considered as definite before 12-18 months after the surgery.
- IS IT TRUE THAT A NEW BELLY BUTTON WILL BE MADE?
No. Your own belly button will be transplanted and, if necessary, remodeled. You should bear in mind that there will be a scar surrounding the belly button which will be subject to the same cicatrization evolution as of the lower scar (described in item 2). There are various techniques for belly button reimplantation. All of them are susceptible to future surgical reviews, if necessary. This happens as a result of any anomaly in cicatrization evolution of certain patients and it may be corrected by a small surgery with local anesthetic, some months later.
- DOES ABDOMINAL SURGERY CORRECT EXCESSIVE FAT LOCATED IN THE TUMMY REGION?
Not always. This will depend on your type of trunk (thorax + abdomen). If it is of the short type, it will be hardly corrected. If it is of the long type, the result will be more favorable. It is also important to note the thickness of the fatty tissue that involves this area of the body.
- WHAT TYPE OF BATHING SUIT WILL I BE ABLE TO WEAR AFTER THE SURGERY?
The type of bathing suit will solely depend on you own size. Of course, that wearing low-rise bikinis (thongs) will be applicable to cases with more natural results. Remember that the surgeon scalpel is capable of improving your shape only, but treatments with beauty consultants or physiotherapists will make it better, provided that you start them a few weeks after surgery.
- MAY I HAVE CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE? WILL THIS AFFECT THE RESULT?
Your gynecologist will tell you on the convenience of having another pregnancy or not. In relation to the result, this may be preserved if during the new pregnancy you control your weight together with the doctor. However, we recommend that you have your programmed children first, before undergoing an abdominal plastic surgery.
- I HAVE HEARD THAT THE POST-SURGICAL PERIOD OF AN ABDOMINAL SURGERY IS VERY PAINFUL. IS THAT TRUE?
No. An abdominal surgery of normal evolution should not be painful. The fact is that normally some patients undergo abdominal surgeries combined with gynecological surgeries and, accordingly, they report post-surgery pain. Not all surgeons recommend such combined surgeries, since they imply certain surgical risks, in addition to being inconvenient because of the pain and less favorable results.
- IS THIS SURGERY DANGEROUS?
Rarely an abdominal surgery may give rise to serious complications, provided that it has been carried out within proper technical criteria. This is due to the fact that each patient should be carefully prepared for the surgical procedure, in addition to analyzing the convenience of combining this surgery with another. The danger involved in not higher or lower than the one involved in a plane or car trip, or simply street crossing.
- WHICH TYPE OF ANESTHESIA IS USED IN THIS SURGERY
General or peridural anesthesia. Some surgeons even use local anesthetic with sedation, in special cases.
- HOW LONG DOES A SURGERY TAKE?
An average of 90 to 120 minutes. This period may be prolonged, as the case may be. However, surgery duration should not be confused with the time in which a patient stays in the Surgery Room, since that includes the period for anesthetic preparation and post-surgery recovery. Your doctor will inform you on the total duration of the surgery.
- HOW LONG WILL I NEED TO STAY IN HOSPITAL?
From 1 to 3 days (normal evolution).
- ARE BANDAGES NECESSARY?
Yes. Special bandages are used and changed on a timely basis by the surgeon team.
- WHEN ARE STITCHES REMOVED?
Stitches are removed around the 8th day, and should be made selectively, in the following days. Rarely total removal exceeds 2 weeks time.
- WHEN CAN I TAKE A NORMAL SHOWER?
Normally after 3 days.
- WHAT IS THE POST-SURGICAL EVOLUTION LIKE?
You should bear in mind that until you reach the desired results you will undergo various phases that are typical of this type of surgery. That is why that under item 2 we have informed you on cicatrization evolution (up to the 18th month), and under item 3, on the evolution of the abdomen, such as sensitivity, consistency, etc. However, special caution should be taken if you want to obtain the desired result before estimated time. Be patient since your body will be in charge of dissipating all small intermediary problems which inevitably will call other people's attention, who will probably say: "Will this really disappear?" It is evident that any concern should be transmitted to the doctor. We will provide you with all clarifications for your tranquility. Some patients get extremely anxious in this phase, mainly because of the transitory aspect (swelling, numbness, scarring, etc.). All of this is transitory and normally it reflects the desire of reaching the final result as soon as possible. But remember that no abdominal surgery results should be considered as definite before 12-18 months. In the case of obese patients, after the 8th day, a reasonable quantity of a yellowish liquid may be eliminated through one of more sutures of the scar. This phenomenon is called surgical leakage and it is the liquefaction of residual fat that is eliminated, but this is not necessarily a complication. There are some resources that may prevent the occurrence of such leakage in inappropriate situations.
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