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The following information has been prepared to familiarize you
with the facts about the surgical procedure known as abdominoplasty
("tummy tuck"). You are requested to read this information
thoroughly and to discuss any questions which might arise with your
surgeon before you proceed with this procedure.
An abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" is a commonly performed
surgery that tightens weak or stretched muscles and removes excess
skin, creating a flat and toned abdomen. An abdominoplasty is an
operation in which the loose skin and fat of the abdominal wall,
particularly around the navel, is removed by elevation of the skin
and fat, pulling it inferiorly and excising the excess. It is particularly
effective in removing stretch marks from the lover abdomen, but
it must be understood that not all stretch marks can be eliminated.
The navel is reinserted into the skin after the tightening procedure.
Frequently, particularly after childbirth or weight loss, patients
present with a weakness of the abdominal wall muscles and fascia;
in such cases, the defect between the anterior muscles is repaired
before trimming the excess skin and fat.
You must accept the judgment of your plastic surgeon and realize
that he will remove as much as is safe and suitable to obtain the
optimum result in each case. The operation is directed toward an
improvement and does not in any way guarantee complete obliteration
of all folds and stretch marks.
The type of skin and age of the patient are factors in the overall
result to be obtained. The operation should not be undertaken if
the patient intends pregnancies in the foreseeable future. While
it is not necessary for the patient to reach a certain weight before
surgery can be performed, it is desirable that the patient's weight
be stable for at least six months prior to surgery and that the
patient be at a weight he or she feels can be maintained after the
procedure.
A usual question is "How long will it last?" this is
impossible to state. Factors affecting the length of the result
include age at the time of operation, physical conditioning afterwards,
type of skin and alterations in weight. In general, it is not necessary
to repeat the procedure to maintain the optimal result.
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