What You Need To Do Before Your Abdominoplasty
Once you've decided to go forward with your abdominoplasty, your surgeon will give you instructions about what you should be doing before your surgery. He will most likely tell you what you should eat or drink, as well as which medications you should take and which ones you should avoid.
If you are a smoker, you will need to stop using cigarettes at least fifteen days before the operation, and you should not resume until fifteen days after. You should try to keep in good health for the period before the surgery. If you as much as contract the common cold, your operation will most likely be postponed.
What Happens During Abdominoplasty?
The entire procedure will take anywhere from one to five hours, depending on the amount of work needed to be done. What your surgeon will do is make an incision from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. An additional incision is made to free the navel from surrounding tissue.
Afterwards, your surgeon will separate the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs. He will lift a large flap of skin to expose the vertical muscles in your abdomen. He will tighten the muscles by pulling them close together and then stitch them firmly into their new positions. This will result in a firmer abdominal wall and a more slender waistline.
Next, the flap of your skin will be stretched down and the excess portions will be removed. A new hole will be cut for your navel. Lastly, all incisions will be stitched up and closed, and medication will be applied.
