ABDOMINOPLASTY WITH DR FARHADIEH AT PANTHEA CLINICS SYDNEY & CANBERRA
Dr Farhadieh can help explain how abdominoplasty can improve the shape of your abdominal wall. He is an internationally peer recognised specialist plastic surgeon educator working in Sydney and Canberra. Together with his team at Panthea Clinics, we are here to offer consultation, information and advice.
WHAT IS AN ABDOMINOPLASTY?
As we age, our bodies may start looking slightly different. Excess skin, fat accumulation and ageing are just one of the many reasons as to why our bodies are no longer what they used to be. With the help of a full or mini abdominoplasty surgery can help to address these changes by tightening the area.
In order to understand what abdominoplasty is, it’s helpful to have a basic knowledge of the composition of the abdominal wall. The walls of your abdomen have three layers; the outer skin, the middle layer of fat, and the inner muscle and fascial layer. Simply put, a mini abdominoplasty can help take away excess abdominal wall tissue. This removes the fat and repositions the umbilicus with a tight wound closure.
Over the years, the development of surgical techniques has allowed surgeons to improve our understanding of how aesthetics and anatomy can maximised for the greatest outcomes. This allows for more nuanced and intricate procedures that achieve outstanding results. As a recognised plastic surgery educator, Dr Farhadieh has a passion for provision of information.
THE PROCESS OF GETTING A FULL OR MINI ABDOMINOPLASTY
When you come to Panthea Clinics in Sydney or Canberra for a full or mini abdominoplasty, you will be guided through every step in the process to ensure the best care and experience.
At your First consultation, we will go through details of your medical history such as:
- Previous abdominal surgeries
- Regular medications
- History of deep venous thrombosis
- Experience with diabetes
- Weight stability
- Any other details related to your medical history
During your consultation, we will discuss any concerns you may have about the procedure.Dr Farhadieh will also examine and assess the quality and redundancy of your fat, skin as well as the underlying layers. We will discuss all surgical options, such as full abdominoplasties, mini-abdominoplasties and associated procedures such as liposuction with you. This allows us to find the right option for your particular needs. Regardless of which option you choose, your surgical incisions will be tailored to your preference to ensure that they can be concealed as much as possible.
An important aspect of successful surgical outcomes is to be realistic with your expectations. For example, some patients in our Sydney and Canberra clinics expect that their full or mini abdominoplasties will remove their stretch marks. While surgery helps camouflage them, it cannot fix the underlying cause, rupture of collagen subdermal collagen bundles. Of course, we will discuss what is and isn’t possible to achieve with your surgery to ensure your expectations and our delivery are one in the same. Your medical records will include photographs prior to your surgery so you can compare the results once you have fully recovered. It is important to remember that results vary from patient based on a series of factors.
Smokers will be requested to stop smoking for 3–6 weeks prior to surgery and to abstain for at least 3–6 weeks after surgery. On the day, you will be admitted to hospital where Dr Farhadieh will see you along with the anaesthetist so that any remaining questions can be addressed and we can again review our procedure check list. Surgical markings will be made just prior to surgery. It is a good idea to wear your preferred underwear so that the optimal incision site can be confirmed.
Once your abdominoplasty surgery is completed, you will be monitored in the recovery room before returning to the ward. Already in a compression garment designed to reduce any swelling and make you should feel as comfortable as possible. The drains will be removed from the surgical area sequentially and you will be encouraged to begin walking as soon as you can, which usually occurs within the first few days. Following this, you will be discharged and have a follow-up appointment at your Sydney or Canberra clinic within 10-14 days.
After a couple of weeks, you should be able to resume most of your regular activities with the exception of any that place pressure on your abdominal wall. Within 8-12 weeks you will be able to resume all activities.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Every surgery carries complication risks, no matter how small or trivial here at Panthea Clinics in Sydney and Canberra, we discuss all of these with you at your abdominoplasty consultation.
To ensure the highest quality outcome, you will be seen at regular intervals following the initial postoperative consultation. If at any stage you have questions or concerns about your surgery or healing process, we are more than happy to discuss them with you day or night. Trust between you and Dr Farhadieh’s team is the most important factor in the surgical process. Our practice is based on compassion, honesty transparency and patient welfare. We pride ourselves on making sure that all our patients feel supported through each stage of the journey.
Before proceeding make sure that you have read all the information sheets and have your questions answered.It is important to remember that results vary from patient based on a series of factors. Complications are an inherent part of surgery and will be discussed with you in detail, they include postoperative bleeding, infection, wound breakdown, scarring and leg blood clots.
GET IN TOUCH WITH US TODAY
If you’re looking to achieve a tight and toned abdominal wall, Panthea Clinics can provide you with advice on abdominoplasty surgery options where appropriate at our Sydney or Canberra clinics, We take pride in being dedicated to our patient’s welfare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually you will stay in hospital for 2-3 days. You will be often discharged with at least one remaining drain, which will come out usually by day 5-7 postoperatively.
There is some discomfort associated with surgery. Although most patients report a tightness rather than pain due to excellent modern anaesthetic pain control regime which includes local anaesthetic for the immediate postoperative period as well as powerful analgesics are effective. However, pain perception and experience is different between individuals.
Often this may be required to achieve the optimal aesthetic outcome. The abdominal wall will require varying degrees of treatment and this includes liposuction of areas not included in the abdominoplasty. Its often used to achieve a better shape centrally.
In general within 2 weeks patients are back at work and be able to resume most normal activities. Exercises which put strain on your core abdominal muscles should not be resumed for at least 8 and preferably for 12 weeks postoperatively.
As part of the preoperative assessment Dr Farhadieh will taylor the incision sites in consultation with you depending on your type of preferred underwear, swimwear or previous surgery. The scars are not only camouflaged, but fade considerably within the first 12 months from surgery
Dr Farhadieh believes that the doctor-patient rapport is amongst the most sacred and privileged relationships. Our practice is based on compassion, honesty, transparency and above all, patient welfare.
We pride ourselves on making sure that you feel supported through each stage of the journey. We will be available during all stages of your journey and will schedule short, medium and long term follow ups as part of our overall practice.
1. The following facts, risks and complications apply specifically to THIS operation:
a) Antibiotics are given during and after the operation, to minimise the risk of infection. If infection was to occur, it would be treated with the usual techniques. In severe cases, treatment may involve being admitted to hospital for intravenous antibiotics; and further surgery may be required.
b) Bruising and swelling is normal, but the severity can vary with each patient. The risk of increased bruising or bleeding can be reduced by abstaining from medications such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or other blood thinning agents, for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery.
c) The incisions will result in scar formation. Dr Farhadieh will endeavour to camouflage these scars in natural skin creases and keep them ‘hidden’; as well as keep the incisions as small as possible. These scars will soften and fade with time. You will be instructed as to how best care for scars to optimise results.
d) Postoperative pain experienced varies from very mild to significant discomfort. You will be given plenty of pain relieving medication following your surgery and this should keep you comfortable, no matter what your level of discomfort. In addition, to avoid constipation resulting from the pain relief medication, we will prescribe some stool softeners.
e) It is common to have intermittent mild discomfort, or intermittent sharp pains in the first few weeks after surgery, as the swelling resolves and the nerves recover.
f) Numbness of areas of the abdomen is common following surgery. This usually recovers after 6-12 months’; however, some altered sensation is often permanent.
g) Most patients will need to take about 2-4 weeks off work. Heavy lifting, vigorous upper body exercise or any activity that involves your ‘core’ muscles should be avoided for 8-12 weeks.
h) The stitches used to close the incisions on your lower abdomen are completely dissolvable, but they may be felt through the skin for up to 6-9 months after surgery. There will be stitches in your bellybutton that need to be removed around 2 weeks after surgery.
i) Delayed healing can sometimes occur along the margins of the incisions; and occasionally there is some loss of the skin edges, requiring prolonged dressings or occasionally delayed additional scar revision surgery for correction.
j) A significant amount of tissue and/or skin is removed during abdominoplasty surgery. Any tissue that is removed during your surgery may be sent to pathology for examination.
k) You may not be satisfied with the final aesthetic outcome.
l) Scarring in the form of Keloid or hypertrophy may be permanent.
The aim of abdominoplasty surgery is improvement rather than perfection. Further operations may occasionally be required to improve the results. This is particularly true if any of the above mentioned complications develop.
