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The abdominoplasty has always been a popular procedure for removing excess skin after weight loss and restructuring the waist. Yet now, thanks to a breakthrough clinical study and unique approach by Dr Alastair Taylor (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery | Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons | MED0001401767) of The CAPS Clinic, a wider range of outcomes is being realised, including a breakthrough in back pain treatment.
All surgical procedures carry risks. Results vary and specific outcomes are not guaranteed. To learn more about the risks of aesthetic surgery visit www.capsclinic.com.au/capsclinic/plastic-surgery-risks/
“Patients often come to me requesting the removal of a bulging stomach with liposuction.” says Dr Taylor. “In some cases this is possible but in most, specifically following child birth or weight loss this is bad idea. Liposuction can only remove subcutaneous fat and does not tighten the skin. In this situation patients will need a much more invasive procedure to achieve the desired results. Specifically, they require an abdominoplasty.”
Abdominoplasty over the years has been presented in many forms from the simple excision of the excess flap of skin, to a full open procedure repairing torn muscles and removing excess fat and skin in a contoured way to produce a flatter stomach and restoring core strength.
“I am a great believer in the latter procedure,” says Dr Taylor. And he has a multitude of facts to back him up.
“After childbirth there is often a separation of the rectus muscles in the midline which leads to bulging of the abdomen on standing. The midline separation, known as a diastasis, can also lead to post pregnancy back pain, poor posture, loss of core strength and pelvic floor weakness. Thin women can have large diastases which makes them look pregnant even when they aren’t.”
“Repair of the diastasis must be the cornerstone of the abdominoplasty procedure, and repaired properly results in a functional improvement that often surprises many patients,” reveals Dr Taylor.
My research has proven this form of muscle repair improves back pain, pelvic floor function and restores core strength. – Dr Alastair Taylor
Dr Taylor has recently released his Five Points of Difference to illustrate how his abdominoplasty practically achieves these results. “Firstly, we remove all skin and tissue from the belly button to the pubis with a high cut scar, which can still be hidden by underwear. If you put your thumb in your belly button and your fingers above your pubis, everything you hold is removed making the abdomen look shorter and the legs look longer,” he explains.
“Secondly, we undertake to repair the torn muscle from the chest to the pubis and any hernias. My research has proven this form of muscle repair improves back pain, pelvic floor function and restores core strength. Third, I pull the tissue ‘down and in’ from the chest which creates a smaller waistline with a more contoured belly button.”
Dr Taylor continues saying, “pulling the tissue ‘up and in’ from the legs creates a tensioning of the loose skin on the thighs. This unique tensioning gives the patient an added benefit of smoothing and tightening the skin on the upper legs. Finally, I include liposuction. By the inclusion of liposuction to this ‘down and in’ technique I am able to thin out the abdominal fat and further modify the appearance of the waist.”
Previously I would perform this procedure primarily for the aesthetic outcome, but more and more I am finding the real reason to commit to an abdominoplasty is to restore core strength and function. – Dr Alastair Taylor
Learn more about undertaking an abdominoplasty surgery at the CAPS Clinic.
