Surgical Procedures for Women
Mini Tuck (Mini Abdominoplasty) - page 3 |
  |
What are the limitations?
The skin is usually tightened downwards and this does not tighten the
waist. 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.
What are the risks?
Mini abdominoplasty requires one or two days hospitalisation. Drains are removed when they stop draining blood and serum a few days after the procedure. This fluid can reaccumulate after the drains are removed requiring drainage or aspiration.
Healing can be slow particularly in the tighter central part of the wound particularly in patients who smoke. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus are rare complications of any operation including this one. To further reduce the risk, you will be given special blood thinning medications after surgery, and compressive stockings to reduce blood pooling in the legs.
What would you need to do before the operation?
Mini-abdominoplasty is best suited to those who are of average weight for their height, but who have a localised area of skin and fat on the lower abdomen that cannot be shifted with diet and exercise. 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.
|
