ABDOMINAL CONTOURING (Abdominoplasty)
Abdominal contouring is important to many women and men. Often this will improve their ability to wear more fashionable clothing, improve body image, and significantly enhance confidence. View the confidence changing procedure in these photos.ABDOMINAL CONTOURING CONSULTATIONS
At the initial consultation for abdominal contouring, a pertinent medical and family history will be taken, with particular emphasis on abdominal issues. Dr. Vogt and his nursing staff will then meet with you and explain the surgical procedure in a personalized fashion. The pertinent medical history will include the number of pregnancies and the weight-gain during pregnancies, generalized weight gain and loss, whether the patient has undergone Bariatric (gastric bypass) surgery, what other forms of abdominal surgery have been performed over the years, and what type of symptoms the patient has already suffered as a result of the perceived abdominal deformities.
It is always encouraged to bring a friend or significant other with you to be present during the discussion and the question-and-answer phase. This way there is a much greater comprehension and retention of the information that is given at the time of the consultation. After this, Dr. Vogt or Dr. Ness will perform a focused physical examination, addressing important issues such as the amount of excess skin, the amount of muscle spread, the amount of fatty tissue that needs to be liposuctioned, the status of the hip rolls and flank, and the status of the umbilicus (bellybutton).
Patient-satisfaction is very high with abdominal contouring surgery as long as the preoperative expectations are realistic. Some patients will simply require a modified abdominoplasty which primarily involves removal of skin below the bellybutton and liposuction of the hip rolls, upper abdomen, flanks, and pubic area. Others will require a full abdominoplasty which involves removing skin from the lower abdomen and mobilizing the skin of the upper abdomen all the way to the rib cage. This will also usually involve repair of the underlying muscles, particularly in women who have had several pregnancies. The next level of involvement is abdominal contouring and extended abdominal contouring. These procedures will be performed in individuals who have had larger weight gains and losses and demonstrate more skin laxity. These incisions will extend further onto the back and buttock area to remove excess skin in the flank area at the same time that skin in the abdomen is contoured. This will also involve repair of muscles, reconstruction of the umbilicus, improvement of the pubic area, elevation of the front of the thigh, and liposuction where it is possible.
A detailed discussion is held with the patient at the time of the initial office consultation as to medications that need to be avoided, time required from work if undergoing abdominal contouring surgery, and level of activity following the surgical procedure. The patient will also meet with the surgical and scheduling director who will outline costs of the operative procedure which will be all-inclusive of the garments, the operating room, anesthesia, and the surgical fee.
THE PLANNING AND THE INCISIONS EMPLOYED IN ABDOMINAL CONTOURING SURGERY
Dr. Vogt has performed countless abdominal contouring procedures in his career. Since approximately 1985, Dr. Vogt has taught more than 30 courses on liposuction and body contouring, with particular emphasis on abdominal contouring. In that time, he and other pioneers in body contouring surgery have developed new incisions that are the most commonly employed techniques today. All of the incisions employed in abdominal contouring surgery follow natural lines so that they will be hidden even by very brief clothing. This is true even in the extended abdominal contouring procedures. The incision is very carefully planned with patient-input. The patient is allowed to utilize any type of garment they want during preoperative marking to be sure that the scars will be hidden in the type of clothes that they choose to wear. Also, after everything has been marked, the patient will be asked to review everything with a large mirror to be sure that there is complete understanding before proceeding to the operating room.
THE DAY OF ABDOMINAL CONTOURING SURGERY
Abdominal contouring surgery requires anywhere from 3 hours to 6 hours planning, operating time, and recovery. During the preoperative phase, the patient will meet with your surgeon to ensure that all questions are answered before proceeding. As already stated, the patient will be asked to verify that all of the sites to be operated on have indeed been clearly marked.
The board-certified medical doctor anesthesiologist (MDA) at Wayzata Plastic Surgery will explain exactly the type of anesthetic that will be employed to create the greatest degree of comfort and safety. After the abdominal contouring surgery has been performed, the patient is transferred to the recovery room in the care of a registered nurse who has Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training.
THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD FOLLOWING ABDOMINAL CONTOURING SURGERY
A responsible adult must be available to transfer the patient following surgery and also be available for the first 48-72 hours to assist the patient in getting up to the bathroom, taking medications, and eating and drinking. Small suction drains will almost always be left behind the skin. A detailed set of instructions will accompany the patient home and the nursing staff will review all of these instructions carefully. A nurse from Wayzata Plastic Surgery will call the evening of surgery to check the patient’s status and answer questions. If any questions or concerns arise outside of our normal business hours, our answering service will be able to contact Dr. Vogt or Dr. Ness for you.
You will be asked to return to the office for a recheck within the first 24 hours after surgery to be certain that there is no fluid buildup behind the skin flaps, which can potentially cause blood-supply compromise to the abdominal skin. Follow-up visits will be scheduled upon your surgeon’s recommendation. Massage and ultrasound to the abdomen is recommended weekly for 4-6 weeks following surgery. Activity levels, exercising and weight restrictions will be carefully explained on follow-up visits. The final healed result may take 3-6 months to be appreciated.