The effects of multiple pregnancies on the abdominal wall are evident as sagging skin, stretch marks and loose muscles. These changes are often irreversible, despite conscientious exercising. Apart from wearing girdles, surgery is the only method to permanently improve the abdominal wall. Abdominoplasty requires hospitalization and is still considered major surgery, with a six to eight week recovery period.During the procedure, the skin is cut just above the pubic bone, the abdominal muscles are sewn together and excess fat and skin are removed. The belly button is repositioned and stitched to the skin. Although abdominoplasty leaves a long scar, it is usually well hidden by underwear and fades considerably over time.Over the last decade a new technique of tummy tucking has been developed by Dr Gerald Johnson of Houston, Texas. This involves operating through an endoscope, which is a telescope placed into the body cavity. Large organs such as gall bladders can be removed through tiny cuts in the skin and this principle has been applied to abdominoplasty, allowing the full length of the abdominal muscle to be reunited through a small cut in the pubic area (about two inches long) and belly button. With this technique recovery is rapid and scarring is minimal. As the muscle is drawn inwards, any loose skin created will red-rape itself over the new body contour. It is anticipated that the use of lasers will eventually be combined with endoscopy to minimize tissue damage and bleeding.
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16 July 2011
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