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Abdominoplasty is one of the most popular plastic surgery operations behind breast augmentation and labiaplasty, and the most popular among both sexes along with blepharoplasty or droopy eyelid surgery.
In this article I answer the most common questions I receive in my private practice on this topic.
What is abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty is the plastic surgery by means of which I proceed to the correction of muscular flaccidity by means of a tightening or plication and the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdominal area.
With this surgery, therefore, a flatter, firmer abdomen and a narrower waistline are achieved, greatly reducing the bulging or ballooned appearance of the abdomen.
To do so, I free the skin of the abdomen and, if necessary, I reinforce the abdominal muscles with sutures (abdominal muscle tightening or plication), then I pull the skin downwards to calculate what is left over and proceed to remove the excess.
What type of anesthesia is used?
In most cases, I perform abdominoplasty under general anesthesia. In very selected cases such as a mini-abdominoplasty, local anesthesia with sedation may be chosen. In the mini-abdominoplasty, muscle tightening and excess skin and fatty tissue is only necessary below the navel because the upper area does not need any procedure as it has not undergone changes that require surgery.
Where is the abdominoplasty scar?
I place the abdominoplasty incision above the pubic hair that extends to the iliac crests of the hips. I usually paint the incision with the underwear or bikini that you wear to “hide” the scar.
How long do I have to stay in the hospital?
After abdominoplasty, patients are usually hospitalized for 1 night.
In the case of mini-abdominoplasties, you are usually hospitalized for at least 4-6 hours after surgery.
What is the abdominoplasty postoperative period like?
After surgery the patient will wear a special girdle for approximately one month.
The scars around the navel (if umbilical transposition was required) and on the lower abdomen will improve over time.
More than in any other cosmetic surgery procedure, the phrase “the surgeon makes the suture and the patient makes the scar” applies. During the consultation visits after an abdominoplasty plastic surgery we will evaluate the appearance of the scars and if there is a need to use silicone creams, patches, etc. to improve their appearance.
Can there be complications?
As in any procedure, abdominoplasty can have complications although it is not usual.
As possible, although rare, complications include loss of vitality (necrosis) of the skin above the pubis that may require a longer postoperative treatment, this type of complication is more common in patients who smoke. Likewise, seromas and/or hematomas may appear that may require evacuation.
It is important that patients comply with all the indications given by the plastic surgeons and our teams to prevent possible complications.
More information:
If you liked my article you might be interested in these other articles on abdominoplasty from the AECEP and SECPRE:
- AECEP: Lies and Truths about Abdominoplasty
- AECEP: Abdominoplasty, procedure and results
- SECPRE: Abdominal Surgery
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