Publicado por Dr. Miguel Fernández Calderón: 12/12/2022
Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that can be performed on both men and women. It is a surgical procedure that reconstructs the abdominal wall using several techniques. Today at Sculpture Clinic we are going to talk to you about what abdominoplasty surgery is like, how it is carried out and whether we are suitable candidates for one.
What is an abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty in Madrid is a complex surgical procedure that uses a combination of different techniques, which can solve problems such as excess skin, excess fat and muscle tension in the abdomen in order to reshape the waist, abdomen and trunk.
Generally, the people who most often undergo this procedure are women who suffer from abdominal sagging after pregnancy, since the skin in that area is affected, resulting in excess skin and stretch marks.
It is also possible for women who have given birth several times in a row to develop diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle. In both cases an abdominoplasty can correct the problem.
Another case where abdominoplasty is commonly used is where the patient has suffered from morbid obesity and has undergone surgery or a procedure involving very significant weight loss. That would leave excess skin in the abdominal area, hanging loose.
Abdominoplasty is not a way to lose weight; in fact, it is recommended that anyone undergoing an abdominoplasty should be at their ideal weight.
It is surgery intended for people who, despite being at a weight appropriate to their build, have abdominal sagging or muscle defects in the abdomen.
This procedure may get rid of some stretch marks, but it is not designed for that purpose either. On the other hand, it is recommended that women who undergo this procedure avoid becoming pregnant again, since the results of the surgery would be lost.
What is abdominoplasty surgery like?
The first step of the procedure is administering the anaesthetic. Usually, the two sedation techniques used in these procedures are general anaesthetic and epidural. The technique used will depend on your body and on the decision of the anaesthetist, who will choose the best option for you.
After the anaesthetic the surgeon will go on to make an incision; the size, number and location of the incisions depend on the patient’s condition. The incisions may be on the hips, below or above the navel, and may even be circular in the central abdomen.
In any of the above cases, the surgeon will try to make them in an area where they are easy to hide or go unnoticed.
After making the corresponding incisions the surgeon will start to remove the excess fat and skin. This procedure is called dermolipectomy and the amount of fat and skin removed will depend on the patient’s condition.
After removing the fat and the excess skin, the rectus abdominis muscles are joined together with sutures. As we mentioned earlier, these can separate during pregnancy, forming a hernia.
As the penultimate step, the surgeon will arrange the remaining skin and stretch it downwards so that it is taut, removing the excess volume. If the navel had to be removed during the procedure, the surgeon will carry out a neo-umbilicoplasty, which means creating a new navel.
Liposuction can also be carried out on the hips or the sides of the abdomen to sculpt the figure better. That is only if the surgeon considers it necessary.
As the final step, the surgeon will close the incisions with sutures; some place surgical drains as a precaution, in case fluid appears under the skin during the healing process.
How long this process takes will depend on how complex the patient’s case is. It can take between 2 and 4 hours. It is normal to have to stay in hospital for between 1 and 3 days after the procedure.
Full recovery from an abdominoplasty can take between 4 and 6 weeks, but it is advisable not to make physical effort or exercise for at least 3 months.
How does the belly look after an abdominoplasty?
The results of an abdominoplasty can be seen within 3 to 6 months , but the wait is worth it, since patients see a big change after undergoing this procedure.
Their abdomen becomes flatter and more toned and its contours are more defined. On top of that, the patient will have a more defined waist and a far firmer abdomen, free of hanging skin and excess fat. Also, as a side effect, some stretch marks may be removed. But there is one aspect you have to bear in mind, and that is scarring.
The matter of scars is complex, since it depends a great deal on the scale of the procedure. Their location and visibility will vary according to the position, the size and the technique used to make the incision.
If you have a partial abdominoplasty it will only leave a small, barely visible scar, but if you undergo a larger procedure the scar will be proportionate.
Bear in mind that the surgeon takes these aspects into account before making the incisions. So most scars can be covered by underwear. With the right care they will become far less noticeable over time, but they may not disappear completely.
It is important that before undergoing this surgery you do your research and are sure of what you want. As well as having realistic expectations of what you are hoping for; depending on what you want, another complementary procedure such as liposuction or liposculpture may be necessary.
If you were wondering what abdominoplasty surgery is like and what it involves, we have told you a little about it, the effects it can have on your figure and how surgeons carry it out. If you are interested and think you need one, and you are in Madrid, contact us to book an assessment.
