Who Is the Right Candidate for Abdominoplasty?
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Abdominoplasty, also known as tummy tuck, is a procedure performed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area. This procedure brings about a smoother, tighter, and more youthful abdominal contour. Reshaping the abdomen is done by accessing the midline abdominal muscles and then tightening them. The major benefit of undergoing tummy tuck is that it narrows the waist and contours it. In most cases, at the end of the procedure, the stretch marks below the navel are removed along with the excess skin. The appearance of the remaining stretch marks improves when the abdominal skin is pulled taut.
Am I a Candidate for Abdominoplasty? The right candidates for tummy tuck surgery will have loose or excess skin on their abdomen or a combination of both. Women with children will have a certain level of abdominal muscle laxity. Those with any of these conditions or all the three are candidates for abdominoplasty. You must:
Be physically healthy and have stable weight
Have realistic expectations regarding the results
Be a non-smoker
You must be prepared to discuss with your plastic surgeon:
The need for the surgery, expectations and desired outcome
The medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments undergone
Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
Surgeries that have been done previously
Consulting with an expert plastic surgeon, skilled and experienced in microsurgery and aesthetic and reconstructive procedures will be useful. In the clinic, the surgeon will:
Evaluate the patient’s general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
Take photographs of the patient’s abdomen
Assess the medical history of the patient
Discuss the options and customize a course of treatment
Discuss likely outcomes of the tummy tuck and any risks or potential complications
As part of the pre-surgical process, you will be asked to stop the intake of aspirincontaining products for two weeks before the surgery. Selecting an AAAASFaccredited surgical center will be helpful for treatment, as they have in place the latest techniques and facilities to provide superior treatment and care. The process can be performed under either general or local anesthesia. When the patient is sedated, the abdominal muscles are completely relaxed and the surgeon can perform the operation with great speed and ease.
Contact Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery 6400 Fannin, Suite 2290 Houston, TX- 77030