Abdominoplasty/Lipo-Abdominoplasty/Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty refers to the removal of excess skin from the abdomen with a panty line scar, together with tightening/suturing of the central abdominal wall resulting in a flatter more defined abdomen.
It is often performed together with liposuction to better sculpt the abdomen.
This, however, is not a “weight loss” procedure and your body mass index will need to be acceptable and stable for 6 months prior to receiving the surgery.
You will be required to stay in hospital for 1-2 nights.

Please stop any over-the-counter herbs, vitamins, or drugs 2 weeks prior to your scheduled surgery.
Disprin, NSAIDS and blood thinners should be stopped 7 days prior to surgery unless specified or instructed differently by Dr F. Spruyt. This is done to prevent excessive bleeding.
NO SMOKING is allowed within 4 weeks of your surgery up to and including 4 weeks after surgery.
You should be fasted for 8 hours prior to your scheduled surgery.
If possible, please bath or shower with Hibiscrub soap 2 hours prior to admission. This assists in reducing the chance of infection post operatively.
Wear loose-fitting clothing, that will be easy to change into after your surgery.
Please be at the hospital 2 hours prior to your surgery to allow for admission and preparation.
You will be counselled on the risks, complications, and healing process prior to your surgery. If you have any questions, please write them down and bring them with you so that they may be discussed prior to surgery.
Your skin will be marked before you are taken into theatre.

The procedure takes approximately 2-3 hours depending on the size and surgery combination.
The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, but additional pain blocks will be administered in theatre to reduce post-operative pain.
Drains, a urinary catheter, and below knee compression stocking are used for this procedure.
After the surgery is complete, wound dressings are applied and a binder or compression garment will be wrapped around the abdomen.

You will be monitored in hospital for 1-2 nights after surgery.
The nursing staff will show you how to empty the drain and measure the wound drainage (this needs recording at home). Once you are mobile after the first day of surgery the catheter will be removed. You will receive medication and calf compression whilst in hospital to prevent the occurrence of a deep vein thrombosis
Do not open the dressings after surgery. Dressings will be opened when the drains are removed at your follow-up visit.
You will have to walk bent/hunched over, and sleep with your knees bent to relieve wound tension for 2 weeks. Please note that it is important to move your legs every 30 min whilst recovering at home.
No driving is allowed for 2 weeks after your surgery.
Walking as a form of exercise may be resumed after 2 weeks.
Normal activities may resume at 2-3 weeks, general exercise and running can be resumed at 6 weeks.
The binder or pressure garment should be worn for 6 weeks.
Avoid using tissue oils on the scars, only a cream like Epimax or a silicone cream may be applied once healed.
Avoid exposing the scars to sunbeds or direct sunlight i.e. tanning for the 1^st year after surgery as this will darken the scars. A sunscreen (SPF 50) may be used as soon as wounds are healed should you plan on exposing the area to direct sunlight.

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