Abdominoplasty: Indications, Results, and Aftercare

Definition: What is an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck?

Abdominoplasty involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightening the abdominal muscles. This is a surgical procedure often performed by plastic surgeons.

In many clinical situations, abdominoplasty is combined with liposuction to maximize aesthetic results (abdominoplasty with liposuction, or more commonly called abdominoplasty with lipo). The extracted fat can be used to augment other areas of the body (liposculpture).

What are the conditions for having an abdominoplasty?

Nowadays, a growing number of patients seek to improve their figure and the contour of their abdomen. Often, these patients request an abdominoplasty after pregnancy or as part of massive weight loss following bariatric surgery (gastric banding, gastric bypass). After significant weight loss, the abdomen may present excess skin, excess fat, and in many cases, weakening of the muscular component of the abdominal wall. Most of these problems can be successfully treated with this abdominal surgery.

Most patients undergoing abdominoplasty are women, but this technique can also be used on male patients (male abdominoplasty). In fact, the widespread use of bariatric surgery, resulting in massive weight loss and generalized excess skin, has led to an increasing demand for this procedure among men.

Surgical Procedure

Generally, this operation can last 2 to 4 hours, under epidural or general anesthesia.

Let's see how an abdominoplasty is performed:

• A horizontal incision is made in the area just above the pubic hair, extending to near the hips, slightly curved upwards;
• The second incision is made vertically, ending around the navel, where the excess skin from the upper abdomen is separated from the deeper parts. Localized fat is removed;
• At this point, the abdominal muscles are sutured to make them more rigid, resulting in a straighter abdomen and a more defined waist. The excess skin is pulled downwards to be removed, and a hole is made to reposition the navel in its initial position;

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What are the results after an abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty is an abdominal cosmetic surgery operation that produces very good results with a significant impact on patients' quality of life and well-being. It can also be safely combined with other surgical procedures at the same time, such as breast cosmetic surgery (reduction, lift, or augmentation with silicone implants), blepharoplasty, otoplasty, face lift, neck lift, or forehead lift. Ask your cosmetic surgeon for before and after abdominoplasty photos to get an idea of the results.

What are the risks of an abdominoplasty?

The classic abdominoplasty technique does, however, have a somewhat high complication rate, particularly seromas (present in 20 to 25% of cases). This term refers to the accumulation of fluid in the thickness of the abdominal wall.

This is usually a situation that does not require hospital readmission or surgery. Most cases of seroma are resolved by drainage through the skin of the abdomen using a needle. Normally, it is necessary to repeat this drainage several times until the seroma is completely resolved, otherwise the aesthetic result may be compromised.

Scars after an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)

The scar from a tummy tuck is designed to be hidden by a bikini. It is very important that your cosmetic surgeon is aware of this so that the scar is placed as low as possible in the abdomen. In many situations, the abdominoplasty scar also surrounds the navel. There are ways to make it less visible and at the same time improve the appearance of the navel, often altered by a previous pregnancy.

The appearance of the navel and the adjacent area can improve considerably after a tummy tuck.

The abdominoplasty scar, like any other scar, takes about two years to reach its final appearance. During this period, the abdominoplasty scar 1 month after surgery is very prominent and red, while the abdominoplasty scar 4 months after surgery begins to thin.

Swelling after abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty is a common surgical procedure that aims to reshape the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the abdominal muscles. However, it is common to experience swelling after the procedure, which can be caused by several factors such as inflammation, water retention, or lymphatic fluid accumulation. Swelling can last for a few weeks or even a few months, but it should gradually decrease over time. Patients can help reduce swelling by following their surgeon's postoperative instructions, which may include wearing a compression garment, elevating their legs, applying cold compresses, and taking medication to reduce inflammation. If swelling persists or worsens, it is important to contact your surgeon for additional advice.

Pain after abdominoplasty

After an abdominoplasty, it is common to experience some pain and discomfort, which can vary depending on the amount of tissue removed and the surgical technique used. Pain can be effectively managed with pain medication prescribed by the surgeon, and patients are encouraged to take their medication as directed. Rest is also important to allow healing to occur, and patients should avoid strenuous physical activity during the recovery period. To help reduce pain, patients can also apply ice to the affected area and use support pillows to reduce pressure on the abdomen. Patients should also monitor their health and contact their surgeon if they experience excessive pain or unusual symptoms that may indicate a postoperative complication. With proper care and close monitoring, pain after an abdominoplasty should gradually decrease over time.

How to sleep after an abdominoplasty?

After an abdominoplasty, it is important to find a comfortable sleeping position that minimizes pressure on the abdomen to promote healing. During the first few weeks, patients are encouraged to sleep on their back with their head slightly elevated using pillows to reduce pressure on the abdomen and avoid bending at the waist. Patients may also find relief by placing a cushion or pillow under their knees to support their legs and reduce tension in the abdominal area. If patients are used to sleeping on their stomach, they should avoid this position during the recovery period to avoid putting excessive pressure on the surgical area. It is important for patients to follow their surgeon's postoperative instructions regarding sleeping position, compression garments, and follow-up care to ensure complete healing and minimize the risk of postoperative complications. If patients have questions or concerns about their sleeping position after an abdominoplasty, they should contact their surgeon for additional advice.

Having a pregnancy after an abdominoplasty

It is recommended to postpone an abdominoplasty until you have finished having children, as a subsequent pregnancy can compromise the results of the operation. However, if you have undergone an abdominoplasty and are considering pregnancy, it is important to discuss your plans with your surgeon. Pregnancy after an abdominoplasty can cause excessive stretching of the skin, muscles, and scar tissue, which can lead to deterioration of the abdominoplasty results. It is also important to note that pregnancy can increase the risk of postoperative complications such as excessive bleeding and infection. If you are planning a pregnancy after an abdominoplasty, you should discuss with your surgeon options for protecting your surgical investment. In general, it is recommended to wait at least six months after an abdominoplasty before becoming pregnant to give the body enough time to heal. With proper planning and close monitoring, it is possible to enjoy long-lasting results from an abdominoplasty while also having a successful pregnancy.

Recovery after an abdominoplasty

Recovery after an abdominoplasty can vary depending on the extent of the surgical procedure and the patient's individual recovery. In the days following surgery, it is common to experience discomfort, pain, and swelling in the abdominal area, as well as some fatigue and loss of appetite. Patients should follow their surgeon's postoperative instructions, which may include the use of pain medication, wearing a compression garment, and avoiding strenuous physical activity for several weeks. Patients should also take care of their surgical incision by keeping the area clean and dry, avoiding smoking, and monitoring for signs of infection or other postoperative complications.

During the first few weeks, patients may need help with common tasks such as getting up and sitting down, walking, and showering. Patients may also need to take time off work for several weeks to rest and heal. Getting enough rest and eating properly is important to aid in healing and recovery.

Over time, patients may find that their discomfort decreases and their ability to perform normal activities increases. However, it is important to follow postoperative instructions and schedule a follow-up visit with the surgeon to ensure that healing is progressing as expected and to discuss any problems or concerns. In general, complete healing from an abdominoplasty can take several months, but patients can usually resume normal activities and enjoy their new look with confidence after a successful recovery period.

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