Are you self-conscious about excess abdominal skin or fat that will not disappear no matter how much you diet or exercise? Abdominoplasty, also known as tummy tuck, is a procedure offered by Dr. Prajwal K Rao at Dr. Prajwal's Aesthetics in Kanhangad to permanently remove and improve the appearance of excess abdominal fat and skin for a more contoured abdominal shape.
The procedure is a combination of reshaping the abdominal wall muscles and the removal of excess abdominal skin. It is common to also combine other procedures at the same time, such as liposuction, to achieve the desired contour of the abdominal wall. In this article, you will find out the different conditions answered, such as what is abdominoplasty, why it is done, who is a suitable candidate, and the potential outcomes and risks of the surgery. Read further to start your journey to get the body you have always desired.
There are many reasons why a patient may want to undergo an abdominoplasty procedure, such as excess abdominal sagging after pregnancy or substantial weight loss. The procedure may also be beneficial in correcting stretched abdominal muscles due to genetic predisposition or aging.
In many cases, patients may have varying degrees of midsection protrusion due to weak abdominal muscles, excessive skin tissue, both or combinations thereof. In such cases, an abdominoplasty may be the ideal solution to improve the overall adipose tissue and contour of not only the abdomen, but also the entire midsection.
Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure designed to reduce or eliminate excess fat and skin from the abdomen area. It also tightens abdominal wall and muscles that are not responding to diet or exercise, leading to a flatter and smoother abdominal profile.
The procedure strategically removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal region to create a firmer contour with improved definition. It is often used to address a condition known as ‘apron belly’ which occurs in advanced stages of pregnancy or in patients with a significant amount of excess abdominal skin. Additionally, it can provide patients with an improvement in the overall shape and contour of their midsection and torso.
A suitable candidate for an abdominoplasty procedure is someone who is in overall good health but has visible signs of excess abdominal skin or fat, weakened or disconnected abdominal muscles due to aging, genetics, or excess weight loss.
A good candidate would also have realistic expectations from the procedure and understand the risks associated with the surgery. Dr. Prajwal K Rao from Dr. Prajwal's Aesthetics, Kanhangad, would evaluate the patient’s individual condition to determine his or her suitability for the procedure. Patients must abstain from smoking or drug consumption before the procedure to reduce the potential risks of recovery and healing.
Dr. Prajwal K Rao, Dr. Prajwal's Aesthetics, Kanhangad offers multiple types of abdominoplasty procedures to suit your individual needs.
Full Abdominoplasty (Standard): The most common approach for abdominoplasty. It is suitable for patients who have an abdominal pannus, wherein the skin and fat of the stomach hang below the belt line. The procedure focuses on removing excess fat, tightening the abdominal muscles, and re-draping the skin for a flatter abdomen.
Mini Abdominoplasty: A mini abdominoplasty procedure focuses on removing the excess fat and skin in the lower abdomen just below the umbilical region, while tightening the abdominal walls without disrupting the umbilicus area. It is suitable for individuals who do not need to address the existing fat and skin above their umbilicus region.
The procedure involves the removal of excess abdominal skin and fat. This can be done either by surgical excision — the excision of the excess fat and skin — or by liposuction to remove the excess fat.
In some cases, liposuction alone may be enough to achieve the desired abdominal contouring, while in others, an abdominal excision may be required to remove the excess skin and tighten the abdominal muscles for a flatter shape.
An incision is placed in lower abdomen from one hip bone to the other , and the skin-fat flap is lifted up from the underlying muscle wall right up to the lower chest. The vertical muscles of the abdomen, may be repaired in the midline to close a gap that usually forms after weakening during pregnancy. This is done by placing internal stitches between the muscles along their whole length, which helps to reduce the upper abdominal bulge.
Then the skin-fat flap is pulled down, and all excess overhanging skin and fat in the lower abdomen is trimmed off. The edges of the incision are then closed with stitches. Finally, the belly button is re-fixed, making its appearance more youthful.
The potential benefits of abdominoplasty are numerous. It can provide patients with a flatter, firmer, and more contoured-looking abdomen, along with improved body shape. Post-surgery, patients can also expect an enhanced waistline, better posture, and improved silhouette.
Additionally, the results of abdominoplasty are permanent, and it is unlikely that the tissues removed during the procedure will return. However, it is important to keep in mind that the outcomes of abdominoplasty are largely dependent on making healthy lifestyle changes post-surgery as the results can be affected by excess weight gain or weight loss, post-procedure.
After the surgical procedure, patients may experience some discomfort and fatigue and need to limit their physical activities for at least a few weeks. Dr. Prajwal K Rao will advise the patient to take bed rest for a few days and may also prescribe certain medications to manage any post-operative pain.
The patient may also be required to wear compression bandages or garments to control any swelling, pain, and bruising. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids and maintain a healthy eating routine to speed up the recovery process. In most cases, patients are prescribed physical therapy after undergoing abdominoplasty to help the abdomen heal properly.
Though abdominoplasty is a safe procedure when done by an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Prajwal K Rao from Dr. Prajwal's Aesthetics, Kanhangad, there are some risks associated with the procedure, such as bleeding, infection, and reaction to anesthesia, among others.
It is important to discuss all the possible risks and complications with the doctor during the initial consultation and have realistic expectations about the procedure.
Most patients who have undergone abdominoplasty surgery can expect to enjoy the results for many years, provided they maintain a healthy lifestyle post-surgery. The results of the procedure may also vary for individuals depending on their age, weight, skin type, etc.
It is important for the patient to discuss their expectations with Dr. Prajwal K Rao during the initial consultation so that a suitable surgical plan can be developed.
Dr. Prajwal K Rao from Dr. Prajwal's Aesthetics, Kanhangad has extensive experience and high success rates in performing abdominoplasty procedures. Patients interested in learning more about abdominoplasty and its potential benefits can schedule an appointment to discuss all their questions.
Dr. Prajwal K Rao’s team would guide you through the procedure in detail and provide individually tailored information to help you make an informed decision about the procedure. Additionally, our team will also discuss all the potential risks and benefits associated with the procedure to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable during the entire process.
To schedule an appointment and learn more about the abdominoplasty tummy tuck procedure from Dr. Prajwal K Rao at Dr. Prajwal's Aesthetics in Kanhangad,
