The purpose of abdominoplasty is to restore a flat contour to the abdomen by reinforcing the abdominal wall fascia and reducing excess skin and fat.

Factors That Affect Your Results Elasticity of skin Sun damage Stress Hereditary thickness of skin Smoking Hormones Damage due to pregnacy Skin texture Our Goal To give you a flat contoured abdomen. Ideal Candidates Good skin elasticity Good physical health Non-smoker Well informed about the procedure Realistic expectation Where Is Procedure Performed We use state of the art, fully accredited, out-patient surgical center. We have Board Certified Anesthesiologists to assist us.

Variations of Abdominoplasty Full - tighten fascia, reduce skin and fat from sternum to pubic area. Modified - tighten fascia umbilicus to pubic area. A wedge of skin is removed and fat is reduced. Endoscopic - tighten fascia through small suprapuboc incision. Little or no skin removed. Must have no excess skin for this.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT to EXPECT You will be very uncomfortable when you get in and out of bed. You must stay flexed in bed to keep pressure off skin closure for 4-5 days. Also walk bent forward for 4-5 days. ANESTHESIA - General DURATION of OPERATION - Three hours DAY of SURGERY - Wear loose fitting clothing and leave valuables at home. After the operation you will go to the recovery unit for aproximately one hour, then move to the post-op area for 2-4 hours. You must have someone drive you to and from the surgical facility. You must have someone stay with you the first night or stay at an overnight facility. DRAINS - Usually two drains removed in 3-10 days. Keep a record of drainage for each individual bulb per (24 hr). The bulb is marked in cc's. PAIN - Usually a 7 on a 10 scale with movement for 3-4 days. POST-OP DAY ONE - Stay flexed in bed. Have someone help you in and out of bed. Take your pain medication. Flex the muscles in your legs. Empty vaccuum bulbs every 6-8 hours and record amount of drainage from each side (continue this daily). Do not try to eat food. Drink 7-UP, etc. and crackers. DAY TWO AND THREE - Get up with assistance and walk around the room four to five times a day. Flex muscles of leg to improve blood flow. Continue to stay flexed in bed and when walking. DAY THREE AND FOUR - See Dr. Clement for check of drains and incision. BACK TO WORK Usually two to three weeks but limited on lifting and pushing. ACTIVITIES Slow walking for exercise after two weeks. Week three and four increase walking or light exercise. No abdominal exercise or heavy lifting for six weeks. Very important. Full activities after six weeks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RISKS BLEEDING - Bleeding can occur following any surgery. If bleeding occurs it will usually require going to operating room to correct. INFECTION - Uncommon. We use antibiotics pre- and post-operatively. SKIN LOSS - Smokers are a greater rick for skin problems. Uncommon but occasionally occur above incision line. NUMBNESS - Low abdomen will be numb for months. Some area forever. Upper abdomen usually regains sensation. SYMMETRY - You are not symmetrical now and will not be perfectly symmetrical after the surgery. Look very closely in the mirror prior to surgery to identify asymmetry. ELASTICITY OF SKIN - Pregnacy breaks and stretches elastic fibers so the skin will never react as it did when you were 16. When you bend over while sitting you will have a roll at the scar line and possibbly above the umbilicus. When you stand up the abdomen will be much flatter and smoother following surgery. SEROMA - A collection of fluid under the flap. May need to drain with a needle if it occurs. STRETCH MARK - Stretch marks above umbilicus will usually move down below the umbilicus. The location determines if the stretch mark will be removed or stay. SCAR - The scar will be at hairline in pubic area, moving up to hip bone. If you have excess skin the scar will be longer over the hip. Scars can thicken. EMOTION - You may have a period of mild depression after surgery. This is caused by the stress of the surgery and anesthesia. It will pass as you recover. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT ABDOMINOPLASTY WILL DO Reduce excess skin and fat. Improve abdominal contour. Flatten and firm abdomen. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT ABDOMINOPLASTY WILL NOT DO Tighten skin so there will be no wrinkling or roll. Make a very heavy abdomen extremely flat and trim. Remove all stretch marks. Prevent furthur loss of elaticity. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT IF REVISIONS ARE NEEDED You are responsible for anesthesia and facility charges. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOW LONG WILL RESULTS LAST This is a very difficult question to answer. Longevity of the procedure depends on your skin elasticity, heredity, previous sun exposure and post-operatively, stress, smoking and elastic fibers in your skin.