Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty is a surgical operation for the removal of skin excess and fatty tissue from the middle and lower parts of the abdominal area, by which the abdominal wall is retracted. A flat and tightened belly is what many of us aim to achieve through exercise and weight control. However, sometimes these methods cannot achieve our goals. Even people with normal body weight and proportions can develop a belly which bulges or is loose and drooping.
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Before and After

Among the cause of a loosened belly are:

  • Aging
  • Heredity
  • Pregnancy
  • Previous surgery
  • Significant fluctuations in weight

It should be noted that abdominoplasty is not surgery for correction of body weight. Although the results are practically permanent, a positive result can be decreased by significant fluctuations in weight. For this reason, people who plan to achieve a significant loss of weight or women who plan future pregnancy will be advised to postpone the intervention.

Tightening the belly cannot correct stretch marks, although they can be removed or improved to a certain extent if they are located on the sites of excessive skin, which will be cut.

Can I combine abdominoplasty with other procedures?

Many different techniques of abdominoplasty are available. It can be combined with other types of body contouring such as liposuction, instrumental procedures or performed simultaneously with other aesthetic surgeries. If you have removed fat from belly (with liposuction) you may decide to undergo abdominoplasty since liposuction removes tissue right under the skin and fats but not the excessive skin.

How should you prepare for surgery?

The team of plastic surgeons at Derma-Act will perform a physical examination which includes measurement of skin abdominal excess. Then the surgeon will give their recommendations for surgery.

Before surgery, the following is required:

  • Consult with your team on any drug interactions which may occur with the drugs which you already take. You should stop the intake of aspirin or drugs containing aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or any herbal supplements since they all increase the risk of bleeding. It is possible for you to get a prescription for analgesics and antibiotics after surgery.
  • You should undergo the required blood tests and consultations with a cardiologist and an anaesthesiologist.
  • You should discuss your expectations. Explain why you want tightening of the belly and what you expect as a result after the procedure. make sure you understand the benefits and risks of the procedure, including scars. Note that any previous belly surgery may limit your results.
  • Get measured for underwear.
  • Do not consume food and water in the day of surgery.
  • For female patients – consider the date of surgery in relation to your menstrual cycle.

What is the duration of the intervention?

Usually, the duration of the intervention is about 1.5-2 hours, depending on a number of circumstances which you must discuss with our team before surgery.

Advice after the intervention

Avoid rapid changes in weight

Wear compressing underwear

for about 1 month

Reduce physical activity

within 2-3 months and put an emphasis on light walks

Maintain a good physical condition

Results

It is important to avoid submitting the surgical incisions to excessive stretching, swelling, friction or motion during the healing period. Leisure and occupational activities should be restricted. Dressings and drainages should not be removed, except upon the instruction of the attending physician. The change of dressings is performed every few days by our medical team, and the removal of sutures – usually between days 14 and 21.

Successful postoperative recovery depends on both the surgery and the care afterwards.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Tightening of the belly is not for everyone. Your physician may warn you about the risks if you:

  • Plan to lose significant weight.
  • Plan to get pregnant in the future.
  • Have a severe chronic disease such as heart disease or diabetes.
  • Have a body mass index above 30.
  • Have had previous abdominal surgery which caused a significant scar.

Tightening of the belly poses different risks, including:

 

  • Accumulation of fluid under the skin (seroma). Drainage tubes left in place after surgery may help decrease the risk of excessive fluid. Your physician may also remove fluid after the surgery using a needle and syringe.
  • Poor healing of wounds. Sometimes areas along the line of incision heal poorly or start to separate. You may be given antibiotics during and after the surgery to prevent infection.
  • Unexpected scars. The scar from the incision during tightening of the belly is permanent, but it can usually be placed on the easily hidden bikini line. The length and visibility of a scar varies between individuals.
  • Damage of tissues. During the retraction of the belly, fatty tissue deep in your skin in the abdominal area may be damaged or die. Smoking increases the risk of damage of tissues. Depending on the size of the area, the tissue may heal by itself or require a surgical procedure for correction.
  • Changes in sensation of the skin. During the retraction of the belly, therepositioning of your abdominal tissues may affect the nerves in the abdominal area and, more rarely, in the upper thighs. You may experience a sligntly decreased sensation or tingling. It usually decreases in the months after the procedure.

Similarly to any other type of major surgery, abdominoplasty poses a risk of bleeding, infection, or an unwanted reaction to anaesthesia.

Before and After

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