Abdominoplasty is aesthetically-reconstructive procedure where skin surplus is removed from stomach area, together with adipose tissue and the process is followed by concealing the drooping muscles of the abdominal wall.
There are different states which require different surgical approaches, but generally we divide these procedures to complete abdominoplasty and mini abdominoplasty.
We talk about complete abdominoplasty when skin is lifted off from the entire abdominal wall and the surplus with associated adipose tissue, and sometimes even with stretch marks, is removed and new a navel hole is formed. If the flat abdominal muscles have parted, by placing permanent stitches and/or net around, the waist will return to its original shape.
With mini abdominoplasty, only the area from navel to pubic region is being corrected, skin surplus and adipose tissue are removed and tighten loose skin only in the lower abdominal wall region. The incision in slightly smaller than with complete abdominoplasty.
Abdominoplasty can be combined with liposuction of stomach and other body parts in order to contour and sculpture the body if it is necessary.
CANDIDATES FOR THE PROCEDURE
Necessity for abdominoplasty is expressed with persons who have skin surplus in abdominal area which is usually followed by skin elasticity loss with present infirmity of abdominal wall.
Candidates for the procedure are persons of any age, but it is important that they have a good health condition in order to avoid all the possible complications during the surgery or afterwards. If the abdominoplasty is performed by a surgical team with long-term experience in aesthetically-reconstructive surgery, complications are extremely rare, but still possible so it is very important to follow all the instructions during your postoperative period.
PREPARATION FOR THE PROCEDURE
During first consultation examination, an aesthetic surgeon will explain the courses of both surgery and recovery. Abdominal wall tightening or abdominoplasty is one of the most extensive procedures in the plastic surgery area, so the recovery takes a bit longer than with other procedures in plastic surgery.
Before the abdominoplasty it is necessary to do standard tests like complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, coagulogram, blood glucose levels, urea and creatinine concentration, to record electrocardiogram (ECG) and, if it is necessary, do the internist examination depending on age and health condition. All these examinations can be done in our polyclinic.
Medicines like aspirin and analgesics have to be avoided for 2 weeks before the surgery and it would be useful to stop smoking 3 weeks before, because both of these situations can cause blood coagulation and oxygen supply in the tissues on which the procedure is carried out. If you take any medicines, or if you are allergic to some medicines, material or food, you are obliged to inform the surgeon and medical staff about that when you arrive to our polyclinic.
ADMISSION TO POLYCLINIC
Admission to polyclinic is appointed in advance and it is possible during the morning hours on the day of surgery, or the evening before the procedure if it suits you better. After situating you into your room, taking anamnestic data, conversation and a detailed agreement with your surgeon, precise planning and marking the places for surgical incisions and examination by a specialist anaesthetist, are to follow.
ANAESTHESIA
Abdominoplasty is an excessive surgical procedure and it is most frequently performed under the general anaesthesia, but in exceptional situations, it can be performed under regional anaesthesia too.
SURGICAL PROCEDURE
Complete abdominoplasty is a procedure which approximately lasts between 3 to 5 hours. Surgical incision is located in the bikini zone and it stretches across the width of the abdomen. Skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue are carefully separated from the surface all the way to the height of lower ribs. If the abdominal muscles are parted with central vertical line, permanent stitches are placed in order to return the muscles in their previous position and to sculpture the waist. New navel hole is made and surplus skin and adipose tissue are removed by following the previously marked line. Skin closure and stitching are to following after that.
Mini abdominoplasty is performed by the same principle, lasts up to three hours and the only difference is that skin and subcutaneous tissue are lifted to the navel height so there is no need for making a new hole on the skin.
Which method are you going to approach depends on the topography of fat and skin surplus, age and on a number of other factors. Immediately after the surgery, a firm elastic suit which creates compression and keeps the newly formed shape of the abdomen is placed over the stomach.
IMMEDIATE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD
Compression suit is placed immediately after the surgery. First outfit removal is the next morning when sterile swathing of the wounds is done. For the first 5 days bed rest is recommended. This compression outfit is constantly worn during the period of one month and after that it is worn for another month, only during day. All the incisions are stitched subcutaneously with threads that reabsorb so it is not necessary to remove them. Return to everyday routines and payables is quite individual, but approximately 10 days after the surgery you need to devote to yourself and more demanding physical efforts and playing sports actively should be avoided for 2 more months.
FINAL RESULT
If the abdominoplasty is performed by an experienced and engaged surgeon and you follow all the instructions and recommendations while having realist expectations at the same time, abdominoplasty is not only going to improve your appearance, but it will also increase your life quality. New appearance is visible 4 to 6 weeks after the surgery.
