The Non touch-No pain breast augmentation technique was first performed by Dr Keramidas in 2004. All these years it has been presented at many international and national aesthetic plastic surgery meetings. In 2012 there was a video presentation about it at the International congress of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Geneva, under the auspices of ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery). So, it was a matter of time that this method was also used on other body parts. Now the new abdominoplasty technique is based on this special method.
What is Non touch-No pain?
The same principles used in breast augmentation are also applied here.
Before and during the surgery we provide the patient with:
-Antithrombotic (compression) stockings
-Flowtron system for mechanical calf compression
-Electric blanket for proper body temperature during the surgery
The surgical technique:
1. We use a special tool during surgery
This results in:
-Minimal tissue injuries
-No bleeding
-No need for blood transfusion
-No drains
-The patient being able to move the same day.
2. The lymph nodes next to the abdominal wall are left intact in order to limit the accumulation of fluid.
3. We also leave intact the nerves and vessels on the lateral sides of the abdominal wall in order to limit the pain and have a better flap perfusion.
4. Internal stitches restore laxity of rectus abdominal muscles.
5. Internal stitches keep the skin on the abdominal wall, thus minimizing the space that has been created and reducing the fluid accumulation in the abdomen.
What do all these mean?
1. The patient can return home safely the same day!
2. There are no drains.
3. The pain is minimal and the patient should move/walk within 6 hours after surgery.
4. Any complications are reduced. They may include deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, fluid accumulation, skin necrosis.
5. Tummy tuck may be combined safely with other procedures, such as breast augmentation, liposuction, facelift, breast lift, etc. If we do this combination on mothers, we call it Mommy Makeover.
What doesn’t change
-The compression garment is used for 2-4 weeks
-The patient must be careful in the first 2 weeks after surgery
-He/she can go to the gym after 4 weeks
Is downtime so impressive?
Yes. The patient can move very quickly because the pain is so minimal and there are no drains. The same day he/she can return home. The following day he/she can enjoy a shower and go out for coffee. Some years ago all these things were beyond our imagination! But now any problems such as deep thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are rare, because the patient moves immediately.
When can the patient go back to work?
The patient may go back to work after 5 days to 2 weeks, but that depends on the type of work he/she is doing. It is important though, that he/she is able to resume his/her activities almost immediately.
Examples
A mother of two children and severe laxity of the rectus abdominis muscles, little skin laxity and no excess fat.