Steps for a Complete Tummy Tuck:

There are five steps in a complete tummy tuck:

i. The surgeon cuts from hip to hip, just above the pubic area.
ii. The navel is freed from the surrounding skin with another cut.
iii. The skin is detached from the abdominal wall. The muscles beneath are tightened with sutures.
iv. The skin flap that was taken off the muscle, is now reattached. Any extra skin is removed and a new hole is cut for the navel.
v. Stitches are dressed and excess fluid is drained.

A partial abdominoplasty is another option if your fat is mainly in the lower part of your abdomen. In this procedure the navel is left intact. It is also a much faster operation.

Will a Tummy Tuck work for you?

The best candidates for adominoplasty are people in good shape, but with a fat deposit or loose skin that cannot be shifted by diet or exercise. Many mothers also benefit from the tightening of their stretched abdominal muscles.

Patients should be aware that permanent scarring will follow the operation, and should therefore be fully mentally prepared for this. Patients who may lose a lot of weight in the future should avoid the surgery, as should women who may at some point become pregnant.

Risks Involved with Abdominoplasty:

Risks Involved with Abdominoplasty:

Like any reconstructive or cosmetic surgery, abdominoplasty has risks. Before considering such a major surgery, a responsible plastic surgeon should discuss such risks with his or her patient.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists the following risks:

1. Scars, Clots and Infection

Post-operative complications such as infection and blood clots are rare, but can occur. Infection can be treated with drainage and antibiotics, but will prolong your hospital stay. You can minimize the risk of blood clots by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible.

2. Poor Healing or Rejection

Poor healing, which results in conspicuous scars, may necessitate a second operation.

3. Stop Smoking

Smokers should be advised to stop, as smoking may increase the risk of complications and delay healing.

4. Pay Attention to Your Doctor & Follow Up with Post Op Meetings

You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon's instructions before and after the surgery, especially with regard to when and how you should resume physical activity.

Is there much pain associated with Abdominoplasty and what are the risk?

Is there much pain associated with Abdominoplasty?

The amount of pain from this procedure varies from patient to patient. During the procedure, you may feel some discomfort depending on the type of anesthesia used. Patients will often note some back discomfort due to the 45 degree positioning for 4-5 days after surgery however muscle relaxants are sometimes given to alleviate muscle spasms and for relaxation.
As with most surgeries, there is a bit of swelling involved with an Abdominoplasty. You must take into account that in an Abdominoplasty a lot of tissue is removed, so swelling is expected.

What are the risks?

As with any surgery performed under anesthesia, there are risks primarily because of the anesthetic and because of the fat and its surrounding tissues potentially becoming necrotic (dead tissue). If the fat becomes necrotic from a lack of blood supply, the fat tends to turn orange-ish clear and some may drain from the incision; although this is very normal. There will be fat damage, fluid retention, and blood-tinted drainage.
Although not permanent, a tummy tuck can last for many years and if there are no large weight gains, or pregnancies after the procedure then the changes will be relatively permanent. Certainly some relaxation of the tissues can reoccur but not to the extent prior to surgery

What should I expect post-operatively.

What should I expect post-operatively.

For the first few days, your abdomen will most likely be swollen and you may feel some pain and discomfort. You are usually able to walk immediately after surgery and are encouraged to do so 3 or 4 times per day for 1-2 minutes each time. However, you will more than likely not be able to stand up straight as the skin of the abdomen will be quite tight and you are usually instructed to remain bent over at least 45 degrees for the first 4 to 5 days after surgery. You may feel some strain on your back due to standing in the 45 degree angle for a little while. At the end of 4 days, the patient may begin to straighten up and by six days post-op, may or may not be fully straight.

Some stitches may be removed anywhere from five to seven days after the surgery and any temporary tubes that are used to drain excess fluid can be removed five to fourteen days post-op. Any deeper stitches will come out in two to three weeks. You should take it easy for at least two weeks after surgery as you will be on bed rest and advised to do a very small amount of walking. An abdominal pressure garment may also be placed around you during one of your post-operative appointments and you may be instructed to wear this for 3 to 6 weeks. Some swelling and discoloration are normal but generally this is minimal. Of course this is dependent upon the individual.

How is the procedure performed.

How is the procedure performed?
Some doctors use general anesthesia, while others use local anesthesia along with sedatives to make the patient sleepy. The surgery can take anywhere from two to five hours depending on the amount of work required. Most of the time, the surgeon will make an incision in the lower abdomen just above the pubis or can make a long incision from hipbone to hipbone. A second incision is made to separate the naval from the surrounding tissue and then the skin and fat is then dissected off of the abdominal muscles all the way up to the bottom of the rib cage. Sometimes, sutures are placed on the muscles of the abdominal wall to tighten one side of the abdomen to the other and thereby make the abdomen more firm. The skin above the belly button is drawn down to the pubis and sutured into position. A new hole is placed in the skin and the belly button is positioned in and stitched into place. Finally, the incisions will be sutured together, dressings applied and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from the surgical site

Ideal Candidate for Abdominoplasty.

Abdominoplasty, also known as a "Tummy Tuck," removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen surgically. An abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck tightens the abdominal muscles that may have become stretched out or loose over time because of obesity, pregnancy or just due to age. Even though this is a common procedure, it isn't a simple procedure and you should be aware of the risks and post-operative care that will be needed.

Who is an ideal candidate for Abdominoplasty?

An individual must be in good health and not have any diseases or serious, pre-existing medical conditions and be at their ideal weight to undergo an abdominoplasty. In addition, the individual must have realistic expectations of the outcome of their surgery and be mentally and emotionally stable to undergo any surgical procedure. Communication with your surgeon is very important and you must be able to voice your concerns to your surgeon if he/she is to understand what your expectations are. Discuss you goals with your surgeon so that you may reach an understanding as to what can realistically be achieved. As with any type of surgery, a tummy tuck requires patience in dealing with the healing period. There can sometimes be a lull or depression after surgery and if there are already medical or emotional issues prior to getting a tummy tuck, this lull can develop into a more serious issue. Please consider this and other issues before deciding to go through with a tummy tuck.

Typically, women seek this procedure after pregnancy – however they are advised to wait until they have finished having children, because the skin and muscles can get stretched out again as well as the dangers of the newly taut skin being unable to accommodate another pregnancy. For those that are considering losing weight, you should wait until after your desired weight is met because you may need additional surgery to remove the excess skin after you have lost the desired weight.

Laguna Beach Abdominoplasty

Laguna Beach Abdominoplasty
Complications that may arise after Abdominoplasty.
Although very serious complication are not a common thing ,"normal" risks associated with any surgery may be there.there are risks with any surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure such as Bleeding,Infection,Puckered skin,Seroma,Skin necrosis or skin death etc. Visible scar or swelling may sustain for some time. If is stays for more than 4 weeks , it is considered wise to keep your surgeon updated on this.

Complications such as infection and blood clots are rare, but can occur. Infection can be treated with drainage and antibiotics, but will prolong your recovery. You can minimize the risk of blood clots by moving around as soon after the surgery as possible (immobility allows blood to pool and create a clot which can travel to the lungs, heart or brain causing a pulmonary embolism, heart attack or stroke).

One of the more common problems after an abdominoplasty is collection of fluid under the skin after the drains have been removed. Your surgeon can aspirate the fluid with a needle. The drainage stops within a month and will not affect the final results.

To reduce your risk of complications, carefully follow your plastic surgeon's instructions. Be sure to obtain a copy of your doctor's protocol before surgery

Abdominoplasty Orlando.

Abdominoplasty Orlando

Initially following the surgery , some pain and uncomfortable feeling will be there which is quite normal and will have to be tolerated. Gridually the pain will subside alongwith discomfiture. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be released within a few hours or remain hospitalized for two to three days.

The incisions will be covered with surgical tape for 2 weeks to insure proper healing.

Steps that should be taken while recovery

Walk for an hour or two to keep blood circulation and prevent any blood clots.
Keep your hips gently flexed for the first week to prevent tension on the sutures
take sponge baths until drains removed
Should not take bath for the initial 2 weeks
Be careful of surgical tape when showering
Limit any activity that causes discomfort
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions..

India and Medical Tourism.

India and Medical Tourism

India has some of the most highly qualified and experienced physicians in the world. With a cultural emphasis on education, most of these physicians have gone on to super-specialize in their field, enabling them to become experts in their respective medical specialties. The quality of medical
Further, most of the physicians that are in the GSS network, have had additional hands on training at leading medical centers throughout the US, Europe and other countries.

In addition to traditional medicine, India offers many more relaxing and rejuvenating treatment options from yoga, ayurveda, and meditation to allopathic and naturopathic medicine.

India also offers world-class travel destinations such as the Taj Mahal, the beaches of Goa, the backwaters of Kerala and hiking in the Himalayas to name a few.India is rapidly becoming prominent on the world map of tourism and is becoming one of the hot spots for tourists. Besides the language is not a problem as they English is the second most common language such that the patient will not face any problem whatsoever from the time he lands in India and even after "followups" long after he has left the country after the surgery.

What are the hospitals like in India?
In recent years, several private hospitals have opened up that are designed to provide world-class medical care in India. These hospitals utilize some of the best medical equipment that is available world-wide. A specific example of such a hospital is one located in Mumbai, which has been designed per guidelines from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, to ensure that they meet rigorous international standards. This hospital focuses on patient safety and comfort and has been designed in such a way that will minimize the risk of infection. GSS has carefully evaluated and selected only those hospitals that meet very high international standards to be a part of our network. Please visit our Hospital Network page for further details.

Will I be able to speak to the doctor in India before going on my trip?
Global Surgical Solutions will be happy to arrange a phone consultation with the corresponding physician in India and ensure that all of your questions are answered. (Additional charges may apply.)We want you to be totally comfortable with your decision to go to India for your medical needs.