Tummy Tuck

Tummy Tuck(abdominoplasty)
Tummy Tuck Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck removes excess fat and skin, and in most cases restores weakened or separated muscles creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.
Sometimes after multiple pregnancies or large weight loss, abdominal muscles weaken, and skin in the area becomes flaccid. Abdominoplasty can tighten the abdominal muscles and, in some instances, improve stretch marks. In men and women who have fat that is concentrated in the abdomen, the procedure will remove excess skin and fat. The surgery will not eliminate minor wrinkling or take the place of dieting, but it can improve a loss of skin elasticity in combination with localized fat accumulation.


checklist as a guide during your consultation

* Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
* Are you a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons?
* Were you specifically trained in the field of plastic surgery?
* How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
* Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure?
* Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
* Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
* How can I expect my stomach to look over time?
* What will be expected of me to get the best results?
* Where and how will you perform my procedure?
* What surgical technique is recommended for me?
* How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
* What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
* How are complications handled?
* What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my tummy tuck?
* Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure and what results are reasonable for me?

Possible risks of abdominoplasty include:

* Unfavorable scarring
* Bleeding (hematoma)
* Infection
* Fluid accumulation
* Poor wound healing
* Skin loss
* Blood clots
* Recurrent looseness of skin
* Pain, which may persist
* Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
* Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
* Anesthesia risks
* Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
* Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
* Major wound separation
* Asymmetry
* Persistent swelling in the legs
* Nerve damage
* Possibility of revisional surgery
* Suboptimal aesthetic result

Liposuction

Definition
Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty or suction-assisted lipectomy, is cosmetic surgery performed to remove unwanted deposits of fat from under the skin. The doctor sculpts and recontours the patient's body by removing excess fat deposits that have been resistant to reduction by diet or exercise. The fat is permanently removed from under the skin with a suction device.

Description
Most liposuction procedures are performed under local anesthesia (loss of sensation without loss of consciousness) by the tumescent or wet technique. In this technique, large volumes of very dilute local anesthetic (a substance that produces anesthesia) are injected under the patient's skin, making the tissue swollen and firm. Epinephrine is added to the solution to reduce bleeding, and make possible the removal of larger amounts of fat.

The doctor first numbs the skin with an injection of local anesthetic. After the skin is desensitized, the doctor makes a series of tiny incisions, usually 0.12-0.25 in (3-6 mm) in length. The area is then flooded with a larger amount of local anesthetic. Fat is then extracted with suction through a long, blunt hollow tube called a cannula. The doctor repeatedly pushes the cannula through the fat layers in a radiating pattern creating tunnels,

removing fat, and recontouring the area. Large quantities of intravenous fluid (IV) is given during the procedure to replace lost body fluid. Blood transfusions are possible.

Some newer modifications to the procedure involve the use of a cutting cannula called a liposhaver, or the use of ultrasound to help break up the fat deposits. The patient is awake and comfortable during these procedures.

The length of time required to perform the procedure varies with the amount of fat that is to be removed and the number of areas to be treated. Most operations take from 30 minutes to two hours, but extensive procedures can take longer. The length of time required also varies with the manner in which the anesthetic is injected.

The cost of liposuction can vary depending upon the standardized fees in the region of the country where it is performed, the extent of the area being treated, and the person performing the procedure. Generally, small areas, such as the chin or knees, can be done for as little as $500, while more extensive treatment, such as when hips, thighs, and abdomen are done simultaneously, can cost as much as $10,000. These procedures are cosmetic and are not covered by most insurance policies.

From Louann W. Murray, PhD