Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty is a surgery that removes excess skin and fatty tissue from the lower part of the abdominal wall and at the same time strengthens the muscle layer of the abdominal wall. Contrary to popular belief, abdominoplasty is not an ideal surgery for people who are overweight and want to lose weight. On the contrary, this is the ideal method of correction if you have lost excess weight or if you have excess skin on your stomach after pregnancy. This problem bothers many women because, despite intense exercise and an ideal body weight, they cannot lose excess skin in the lower abdomen, which can only be removed by surgery. If there is also weakness of the abdominal wall or separation of the flat abdominal muscles, this problem can also be solved in the same procedure.

Do you need a mini or full abdominoplasty?

Full abdominoplasty, as a procedure that includes the removal of skin and fatty tissue from the pubic fold up to the navel or even above the navel in some cases. The skin above the navel is separated from the abdominal wall and pulled down and connected to the lower part of the incision. In this way, the scar remains hidden under the underwear, and the navel is moved to the appropriate place on the abdominal wall through a small incision. If you also have weakness in the abdominal wall, during the surgery this weakness can be corrected and give you a narrower waist.

If your excess skin and fatty tissue is limited only to the lower part of the abdomen, a good correction can be achieved by removing only the skin and fatty tissue of the lower part of the abdomen, without the need to move the navel.

What does the preoperative course look like?

During the examination, the doctor will explain all the details of the surgery, advise you on the type of surgery, and familiarize you with the postoperative protocol. You will also talk to the doctor about your medical history, the medications you are taking, which may need to be changed in the period around the surgery, any drug allergies and your habits, such as smoking, which may also have an effect on the outcome of the surgery. You will be given a list of tests to be done before the surgery. 

What should I expect on the day of surgery?

On the day of surgery, it is important that you do not take food at least 6 hours before the agreed time of surgery, and clear liquids at least two hours before. If you have an increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis of the legs, we will ask you to visit the hospital the evening before the surgery to receive a medicine that will prevent the formation of clots in your legs during the surgery. After the surgery, you will stay for some time in the hospital until the anesthesiologist assesses that you are ready to be discharged, and if necessary, you may stay in the hospital until the next morning. At discharge, you will have two drains connected to two plastic bottles. They are used to ensure that the fluid that usually accumulates around the implant after surgery is not retained in your body, but is emptied into vials. Before you are discharged home, we will place a special brace on you to prevent fluid from accumulating in the wound, support your abdominal wall and speed up healing, which usually takes about 6 weeks. 

After surgery

Drains are removed at the first check-up, which is usually 2-3 days after surgery. You can shower freely seven days after the surgery. You can expect to return to light physical activities and driving a car in 2 weeks, while for more difficult physical activities you should wait 4-6 weeks. It is important to pay attention not to strain the abdominal wall in the first month after surgery and if you have irregular digestion, to take one of the means to ease digestion. You should also pay attention to the care of the scar, which from the third week after the surgery needs to be massaged twice daily with a moisturizing cream.