Abdominoplasty

There are many factors responsible for the development of an unshapely, fatty abdomen/lower abdomen, including weight loss, weight gain, hereditary factors, pregnancy, ageing and lifestyle. An abdominoplasty is recommended to offer you a contoured abdomen/lower abdomen.
Moreover, it is one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures for postpartum women, as sagging abdominal skin and stubborn fat deposits and weakening of the abdominal muscles are common problems after pregnancy. The procedure can be chosen by both men and women after bariatric surgery and weight loss.
Abdominoplasty/lipoabdominoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure to achieve a flatter, more toned appearance and shape. During abdominoplasty, excess skin and fat is removed from the area between the navel and the pubic mound. Abdominoplasty tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall, resulting in a more shapely abdomen. Liposuction can also be chosen in addition to abdominoplasty to achieve the most contoured result.

Abdominoplasty is considered a major surgery, so preoperative preparation includes extensive medical examinations, blood tests, avoiding smoking, and the adjustment of current medications. Blood thinners/aspirin, herbal supplements, oral contraceptives and certain medicines that increase bleeding should be reduced or stopped days or weeks before the surgery. Talk to your doctor about all the medicines and vitamins you take regularly to see if you need to stop taking them before surgery and, if so, for how long.

You need to be in the best possible health, at a stable weight and in optimal physical condition to help achieve the best results.

We remove the excess skin and close the remaining skin. We create a new opening for the navel. We use sutures, dermal adhesives, patches or clips to seal the incisions.

Once you are fully awake from anaesthesia, you will be moved to your room, where you will be closely monitored immediately after the procedure.

Pain, swelling, tenderness in the surrounding areas, fluid accumulation and numbness are the most common side effects during the first week of abdominoplasty, which require careful postoperative follow-up. However, the chance of side effects/complications is minimal or rare.

The most significant benefit of this procedure is that it removes all the stretch marks from the lower abdomen.

Abdominoplasty carries risks that can occur after any surgical procedure. The complications/risks associated with abdominoplasty may include: infection, bleeding, skin necrosis, scarring, poor wound healing or the need for a revision (repeated corrective) surgery. In addition, it can take several months to a year for the abdominoplasty scar to fade.

The first of the complications may be bleeding, which usually occurs within the first 24-48 hours. This can cause impaired circulation, which can also lead to skin necrosis. This is more likely to happen in patients who smoke or have diabetes, as they have poorer tissue circulation.  Increased production of tissue fluid and lymph in the first few weeks may cause problems and may need to be drained after surgery. However, the most dangerous complication is thromboembolism, which can be life-threatening. It is usually caused by a large wound surface, excess weight, smoking, lack of exercise and varicose veins. In essence, blood clots can form in the small veins and enter the main venous circulation, from which they can cause a serious blockage in the main blood vessels supplying the lungs. Skin necrosis is also a serious complication, usually due to abnormal blood circulation. It most often occurs in the area below the navel, a few square centimetres, but in very severe cases it can be several inches. It usually heals spontaneously, but recovery can take months. Healed skin in this case is different in texture and colour from the surrounding intact skin.

In the first few weeks, the outcome of the surgery and the patient’s health might be compromised by the possibility of inflammation, which can lead to excessive pus secretions and the formation of abdominal abscesses. The quality of wound healing is significant due to the long line of incision. Often the widening of the wound occurs, less often a keloid lesion.

Smokers should quit at least 4-6 weeks before surgery; smoking interferes with the blood flow of the skin, which can affect the optimal result and increase the risk of complications.

Please raise any concerns/questions before the procedure and we will answer and discuss them!

The patient can resume their daily home routine within 4-5 days. Absolute bed rest should be avoided and patients are encouraged to be as active as possible to speed up their recovery. After a week, you can resume work at home, and within 10-14 days you can resume routine office work. For the first 2 weeks, a 20-30 minute walk a day is recommended, depending on your pain tolerance.

After the 3rd week, the length of the walks can be gradually increased. After the 4th week, you can start stretching your abdomen and doing cardio exercises. Weight training/heavy exercise/high intensity exercise can be safely started after 6-8 weeks if abdominal muscle reconstruction has been also done. Compression garments should be worn for at least six to eight weeks after surgery, or as recommended by your surgeon.

The final result of abdominoplasty may initially be masked by swelling until internal healing is complete. You can then achieve a flatter, firmer stomach contour that is more in proportion to your body shape and weight. The results will last for many years as long as you maintain your weight and body shape. It is a closing procedure for women who have finished starting a family (mommy makeover). After an abdominoplasty, it is advisable to follow a healthy lifestyle to maintain the results for a long time!