Plastic surgery to the body

The following procedures can be performed to change the shape of your body:

• Liposuction of the hips, abdomen, lower back, thighs, neck
• Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty),
• Thigh lift
• Body lift
• Arm lift
• Buttock implants
• Calf implants.

Tummy tuck:
Abdominoplasty, populary known as ‘tummy tuck’, is when excess skin and fat is removed from around the waistline, simultaneously tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. It is a more extensive procedure than liposuction and usually creates more striking results.

The operation:
An incision is made across the lower abdomen from one hip to the other while a second incision removes the navel from the surrounding skin. The skin is then detached up to the ribs and lifted to reveal the abdominal muscles.

The muscles are tightened and stitched securely into their new position. Surplus skin and fat is removed and the flap of skin is re-attached. A new hole is cut for the navel. It takes between two to five hours to complete the operation.

Partial tummy tucks:
In the case of partial abdominoplasty the incision is considerably smaller while the navel might not necessarily be removed. The skin is detached only between the point of incision and the navel, the flap of skin is lifted, excess fat is removed and the flap is stitched back into place. The surgeon may insert a temporary tube to drain excess fluids.

Partial abdominoplasty only lasts between one and two hours.

Recovery:
The surgery will leave a permanent scar which will fade with time. The length of the scar depends on the extent of the surgery. Fluctuating degrees of pain, swelling, bruising and lack of sensation might be experienced after surgery. A compression bandage or strap should control any bleeding and will reinforce the new shape. Proper recovery can take up to several months. Take short walks in order to boost circulation and prevent the developing of blood clots. It is also advisable to stop smoking for a few weeks before and after surgery to minimise any risks and ensure a speedy recovery.

Thigh lift:
A thigh lift works wonders in getting rid of saggy skin around the thighs and buttocks, usually due to dramatic weight loss. The flabby skin is tightened, improving contour and quality while giving the thigh and buttock area an overall lift.

The operation:
An incision is made in the crease of the groin when an inner thigh lift is performed. In the case of an outer thigh lift, incision is made from the groin to the back of the thigh. The flap of skin is then pulled upwards, away from the remaining muscle and fat.

The excess skin is removed and the flap of skin is secured back into place.The thigh will then be bandaged. A small, temporary draining tube may be inserted under the skin to drain excess fluids. The surgeon will give instructions as to when the bandages need to be changed.. The operation may last several hours and is usually done under a general anaesthetic.

Recovery:
The operation will leave a scar where the incision was made which will fade in time. It takes about six weeks for a scar to soften and a year before full effects will be visible.

The patient will be out of action for two to four weeks and vigorous exercises at a gym for about a month will be necessary. As in most operations there will be post-op bruising, puffiness and swelling. Short walks must be undertaken as soon as possible after surgery to keep the circulation in the legs going. This will help prevent blood clots developing which could slow down the healing process. Care must be taken to avoid unnecessary strain on the incision. Results are long lasting.

Body Lift:
If loose, droopy skin is affecting your quality of life a Belt Lipectomy or lower body lift may be considered. This impressive operation, also referred to as the ‘face lift for the body’ consists of three procedures rolled into one: A tummy tuck, a thigh lift and a buttock lift. If preferred, the operation can be done in stages.

A body lift noticeably redefines the lower body by tightening stomach muscles and removing excess skin and fatty tissue in the midsection of the body. The main aim of the operation is to get rid of loose, droopy skin that has stretched due to extreme weight loss, age or pregnancy.

This is a large operation that can take between three and seven hours to complete. After surgery, draining tubes will be left under the skin for about a week or two to drain any excess fluids. It will take more or less a month for the patient to recover and resume daily activities.

Arm lift:
There is an answer to unflattering, flabbiness of the upper arms which just don’t seem to go away with exercise! This operation will tighten the skin of the upper arm and dramatically reform its contour.

An upper arm lift or brachioplasty removes all loose skin and excessive fat tissue in the upper arm restoring some lost elasticity.

The operation:
This is a safe procedure performed in much the same way as other lifts in the body. An incision is made on the inside of the arm stretching from the elbow up to the armpit. The skin is lifted from the tissue and excess skin and fat removed.

The surgeon will then reshape the muscle to give it a more sculptured look. The skin is tightened and securely stitched into its new position. The scar of the incision is permanent, but will fade with time.

Recovery:
It may take a few months for the arm to recover fully. When both arms are operated upon patient support may be needed for the first week since no lifting is permitted.

The arm will be compressed for two weeks to its new shape by an elastic band. After three weeks the stitches will be removed. The remaining swelling and bruising will disappear after about two months.

Buttocks implants:
Longing for more definition in the buttock area? Buttocks implants are ideal where the gluteal muscles never developed fully or when buttock fat is lacking.

The buttocks can be enlarged either with specially designed silicone implants or the patient’s own fat.

The operation:
The operation will last approximately two to three hours. The patient will most likely return home in a few hours after surgery.

The incision for the implants can be made where the buttock cheek meets the thigh or down the buttock crease. Since the scar is not visible in the buttock crease the incision is usually made here. But keep in mind that the infection risk is at the same time much higher in this region.

The implant is then inserted into a pocket which is placed under or on top of the gluteal muscle. The implant is placed above the sitting area in order to minimise the risk for the implant to shift position later on.

The same procedure is followed on each buttock. Finally the surgeon will ensure that the implants are in proportion before closing the incision with stitches.

Sometimes the patient’s own fat is implanted. Fat from other parts of the body is removed through liposuction, cleansed and carefully implanted in the layers of the buttocks. Fat implants works best to even out small dents in the surface of the skin. It can not guarantee long term shape and fullness, because of the irregularity of fat and its likelihood to be reabsorbed.

Recovery:
Be prepared to take it quietly for at least two weeks. A compression bandage will cover the operated area for the first few days. Stiffness and some swelling and bruising will occur and there will be some pain due to the stretching of tissue during the operation.

There will be a bit more pain if the implants are done under the muscle. Stitches will be removed after more or less ten days. Arrangements must be made beforehand for someone to drive the patient home after surgery.

As much rest as possible is needed and as much fluids as possible must be taken during recovery. The doctor will most likely prescribe anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medication. Physical activity can be resumed in about a month or two.

Calf implants: Calf implants boost the profile and size of the calves giving the patient more confidence to wear shorts or skirts. Some people struggle to develop their calves due to genetics or defects such as Polio or Spina Bifida.

This result in shapeless calves that may appear disproportionate to the rest of the body.

The operation:
The calf muscle consists of two heads. One head is situated on the upper inside of the leg and the other on the upper outside of the leg. The patient can decide whether to enlarge the inner head, the outer head or both.

The surgeon will measure the calves before the operation and prepare suitable implants. On the day of the operation an implant is placed in a pocket specially created to keep it in position. The pocket is inserted into a small incision made just below the crease on the back of the knee. If the implant looks natural and well proportioned the incision is closed with stitches.

The scar is normally well hidden in the crease of the knee and will fade with time until it is barely visible or disappears completely.

The operation takes approximately 50 minutes for each side. The patientwill most likely be able to return home a few hours after the operation.

Recovery:
The operated calves will feel tender for the first few days and normal post-op bruising and swelling is to be expected. The legs must be kept elevated as often as possible. Activities may be resumed after a few days, but this doesn’t include vigorous visits to the gym or other impact activities.

Exercise should be avoided for approximately six weeks. Results are long-lasting, but the outline of the implants may become noticeable with age as the muscles start shrinking while circulatory problems might be experienced. If this occurs the implants can be removed.

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