Excess skin and fat as well as slack muscles can be addressed during the surgery. Sometimes if only a small amount of fat is problematic it may be removed by liposuction. Stretch marks are not really addressed during this type of surgery except the marks that are on the skin that will be removed.
The procedure
You will be left with a noticeable scar from one hip to another. It can be positioned so that it is hidden when wearing swimsuit. A small circular scar not unlike a laparoscopy scar is left around the umbilicus as it reappears through a new skin “window”. Some liposuction around the “love-handle” area normally enhances the overall result. The operation is performed under a general anaesthesia and the hospital stay includes at least one night. It’s possible that you will have surgical drains coming out of the wound afterwards that will normally be removed the day after the surgery. Pain in the early phase after the surgery can be controlled by iv painkillers and when you return home by tablets.
Limitations and complications
It is generally not indicated in very overweight patients and your weight should be fairly stable. Smoking can lead to impaired wound healing and wound breakdown. There is also a small risk of:
• Infections
• Haematoma (collection of blood under the skin from a ruptured blood vessel)
• Seroma (collection of clear fluid) that can form after the surgery and that may need to be aspirated
• Scars as mentioned before. Remember some patients have a genetic predisposition to form bad scars (keloid). Discuss this during the consultation if you think you are such a patient
• There is a small risk of a blood clot in the leg (DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis) but standard precautions are always followed
After the surgery
It may feel more comfortable in the early phase to sleep with a few pillows under the head and the knees as this will remove the pulling effect on the suture line. If liposuction was also done a support garment should be worn for a period of 4-6 weeks. Sutures are normally removed around two weeks at which time you can return to work as long as it is not a very physically demanding job. Full recovery to a normal exercise level can vary from 4 to 6 weeks. The wound should be kept clean and dry at all times and bathing is not advisable.