| Age and life takes it tool on our bodies whether it is | | | | can cause side effects with sedation and anesthesia. |
| the natural aging process, genetics, pregnancy, or | | | | These include garlic, ginseng, goldenseal, kava, licorice, |
| gaining and losing weight. The result of these life | | | | nettle, ephedra, Valerian root, and St. John's Wort. |
| experiences is often flabby, droopy, or unsightly bodies. | | | | Each of these herbs act differently, but some of the |
| This can lead to poor self image, low-self esteem, and | | | | effects include headaches, anxiety, insomnia, high blood |
| even emotional distress such as depression. | | | | pressure, excess bleeding, decreased heart rate, |
| Modern science, through cosmetic surgery, has found | | | | respiratory problems, and fevers. Although this list |
| away to alleviate these concerns. One area of the | | | | seems daunting, most surgeries are successful and do |
| body that is hit hard by these life events is the | | | | not have complications. It is best to disclose all types of |
| abdomen leading to spare tires, muffin tops, or just | | | | herbs and medications you are taking before hand to |
| flabby stomachs. Through abdominoplasty, you can | | | | reduce any potential for complications. |
| have these imperfections corrected. There are two | | | | After the abdominoplasty you may experience |
| methods that are used for this procedure, | | | | common reactions from the medications. It is estimated |
| mini-abdominoplasty (or liposuction) and a standard | | | | that 30% of patients who undergo general anesthesia |
| tummy tuck. | | | | have some type of stomach or intestinal upset after |
| Because of the nature of the abdominoplasty it is | | | | the procedure. Most reactions are nausea and |
| performed either at a hospital or an out-patient surgery | | | | vomiting. |
| center. Prior to your surgery, you should confirm that | | | | Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be |
| the facility, where you are to have the procedure, is | | | | required to stay the night (even in an out-patient |
| licensed and certified. Knowing this will help you ensure | | | | surgery, but this is unlikely). Since these types of |
| that your procedure is being performed by a | | | | procedures are traumatic for your body (cutting, pulling, |
| competent surgeon. | | | | suturing, and tugging) your body may respond by |
| Since a tummy tuck is major surgery, you will be put | | | | swelling. This is common when minor blood vessels are |
| under general anesthesia for the duration of the | | | | damaged. The swelling will go away, but the results of |
| procedure. It is important to inform your surgeon and | | | | the tummy tuck may take days, weeks, or even |
| the anesthesiologist regarding any type of medication | | | | several months. |
| you are currently taking. This can have an adverse | | | | During this recovery phase, it is important to watch out |
| effect on the type or amount of medication they give | | | | for any type of complications such as bruising, bleeding, |
| you. It is also important to know that the consistent use | | | | excessive pain (especially new pain) in the region, and |
| of tobacco products prior to surgery can lead to lung | | | | even pockets of blood (or an hematoma). However, |
| and chest problems during the procedure. | | | | there may be some procedures that require drainage. |
| Also, alcohol and the use of illegal substance can | | | | You surgeon and nurse will teach you what is normal |
| affect the response you have to the anesthesia and | | | | and what is not. However, if anything unusual happens, |
| pain medications. Even some natural herbal substances | | | | it is best to contact your physician. |