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1. When can I start exercising?
We recommend mostly rest for the first week with some gentle walking. This can be increased over the weeks and at six weeks full exercise at the gym can be resumed. Abdominal exercises (15 minutes a day) are recommended to maintain a good contour. |
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2. How long will I be in hospital?
This depends mostly on the amount of drainage fluid. Two or three drains are used and when these drain less than 30-50ml over 24 hours they are pulled out (usually fairly painless). Your stay can vary from 2 – 5 days. |
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3. Do any stitches need to be removed?
Yes – there are small stitches around the umbilicus that are removed at about day 10 but the long transverse scar has sutures that dissolve with time. |
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4. Will I keep my own ‘belly-button’ or do you make a new one?
Your own ‘belly-button’ is ‘cored out’ and remains attached to the abdominal wall and brought out through a new hole in the skin at a higher level. |
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5. Will I have a waistline?
This depends on many factors. It may be improved with tightening of the muscles. A narrow pelvis also contributes to waist / hip disproportion and is not entirely correctable. |
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6. Will this result in a flat abdomen?
Yes – unless you have a large amount of fat inside your abdomen or very lax abdominal muscles. These however, are correctable with weight loss and exercise. |
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7. Is any liposuction performed?
Yes, the operation is often combined with hip and/or loin and suprapubic liposuction if needed. This is discussed before surgery. The goals of surgery are to reduce excessive skin and decrease subcutaneous fatty tissue as well as tightening the muscular corset. |
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8. How long is the scar?
This usually extends from hip bone to hip bone (anterior superior iliac spine) and is placed just above the pubic hair. |
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