Drainless day abdominoplasty
What to Expect
Our mission is to make abdominoplasty safer, faster and drainless, so that you receive the outcome you desire with less pain, less complications and less downtime.
Drainless Day Abdominoplasty
A 12-Month Transformation
BEFORE DDA
Before a Drainless Day Abdminoplasty Procedure
This lovely woman is 38 years old and has four children under 13. She had a personal trainer but hated the loose abdominal skin and the overhang over her caesarean section scar. She wanted a flatter tummy so she could wear whatever she wanted, whether they were tight fitting or a two-piece swimming costume. In my examination, I suspected she had separation of the rectus muscle, and this was confirmed on ultrasound. (In Australia, if the separation of the rectus muscle is more than 30mm, an abdominoplasty can attract a Medicare item number.) The markings above the belly button represent where we will perform liposuction, and the dotted line represents where the skin will be resected so that all the excess, overhanging skin will be removed. I discussed the procedure with her in detail as we focussed on the expected outcome as well as the possible complications. She was aware she would end up with a lower abdominal scar extending from one hip to the other, as well as a scar around the belly button. I felt she had a good understanding of what was involved, and she was keen to proceed in a few months’ time.
AFTER 2 DAYS
2 Days Post-Procedure
This is her photograph less than 48 hours after her drainless day abdominoplasty. She has just walked up the two flights of stairs to my rooms in Double Bay, Sydney. She had not slept particularly well the previous night but because she was receiving adequate pain relief, she felt discomfort rather than pain. She had a little bruising in the lower part of her abdomen, but this was totally expected. The Dermabond Prineo dressing I used at the end of the operation was still intact across her lower abdominal wound. This dressing is waterproof and bacteriostatic, so she was able to have a shower from the very first day after her operation. I arranged to see her in a week’s time.
AFTER 9 DAYS
9 Days Post-Procedure
9 days after her operation, she felt she was doing well. By day 4 she stopped taking the strong pain killers supplied and since then was continuing with regular paracetamol as prescribed (good pain relief is a key to the success of this procedure). Her bruising was lessening and the Dermabond Prineo dressing was intact. Her wound appears to be healing well and some of her swelling has lessened.
AFTER 5 WEEKS
5 Weeks Post-Procedure
At 2 weeks, she texted me to say she had some ooze from her belly button. I placed her on a different antibiotic for a couple of weeks and the ooze settled of its own accord. She peeled off the Dermabond Prineo herself after 3 weeks. When I saw her at 5 weeks post-op, she was very happy because she could now fit into her pants. She was still a bit uncomfortable in the vertical part of her tummy, but she felt stronger in her core. Her bruising had gone and as her swelling lessened, her shape became more even.
AFTER 3 MONTHS
3 Months Post-Procedure
At 3 months she felt great and was very happy. All her swelling had disappeared, and she was wearing her clothes with confidence. Even though I had encouraged her to exercise from 6 weeks, she was not exercising just yet but planned to recommence in the near future. I was happy with her scars and her shape and reminded her she could engage in any exercise she was comfortable doing.
AFTER 6 MONTHS
6 Months Post-Procedure
At 6 months she astounded me saying she had just completed an exercise challenge where she was planking for 1 minute 10 times, deadlifting 60kg and doing 120 sit-ups. Her core was stronger, and she no longer had back pain. She felt comfortable and confident, buying more clothes knowing she didn’t have to hide anything, so she didn’t have to buy a larger size. She felt her look was very natural as it had put her back to how she was before children.
AFTER 12 MONTHS
12 Months Post-Procedure
At 12 months she was able to achieve even more with her exercise. She was now able to do a 3-minute plank, 10 times and doing sit-ups with a 20kg weight. She loved shopping because she could buy whatever she wanted and was confidently and comfortably wearing a bikini. Even her children commented on how much happier she had become. She felt the operation had removed parts of her she was unable to improve on her own, and now these were gone, “nothing could stop her”. I was happy that she was happy, so discharged her from my care knowing that she could call me directly at any time if she had any concerns in the future.
