The lower abdominoplasty commences with an incision on the pubic hair line. It is distinctly shorter than the one made as part of the traditional abdominoplasty. The next stage of the surgery involves removal of the skin fold and fat from the lower stomach part. In some cases, the reduction of redundant tissue is followed by an anastomosis of the lower part of the rectus abdominis space. Once the operated areas are shaped, the plastic surgeon sews together the skin edges. Absorbable sutures are used in most cases, which don’t have to be removed. If surgical suture is used, it will be removed a few days after the surgery.
In the contemporary world of many opportunities and extensive knowledge, most of us attach importance to a healthy lifestyle. We have good diets, exercise on a regular basis, we want to be healthy and try to have a shapely figure. Our efforts occasionally fail to produce satisfactory results, however. This problem may also apply to your stomach, which won’t be flat and firm in spite of weight loss and exercises. This is the slimming that, while reducing the circumference of your body, often causes abdominal integuments to become flaccid and the skin to droop. This issue can be effectively resolved by means of a surgical procedure.
Depending on type and degree of abdominal imperfections, a full, traditional abdominoplasty or mini-abdominoplasty is employed. The mini-abdominoplasty is a less extensive alternative to the comprehensive correction of this body area. It is beneficial to Patients in whom aesthetic defects are not very extensive and occur below their navel. It is most commonly resorted to by those who have lost a lot of weight and Ladies who have given birth whose pregnancy has contributed not only to deforming their abdominal integuments but also to dehiscence of their rectus abdominis space. However, mini-abdominoplasty is not recommended to those with a substantially drooping skin fold.
The lower abdominoplasty may be carried out using the traditional surgical or endoscope technique. The latter is less invasive and leaves fewer traces, but its operative scope is limited. It is chiefly recommended to young and slim people who complain about abdominal muscle spaces.
Initial effects of an abdominoplasty can be noted immediately after the surgery. Full effects can be appreciated 3-6 months after the procedure. Given a proper recovery, the stomach looks youthful and pleasant and its skin becomes tight and firm. Mini-abdominoplasty also helps to remove stretch marks on the skin surface below the navel.
The Patient following an abdominoplasty, both full and limited to lower sections of the abdominal integuments, should take special care to maintain a constant body weight. Therefore, those planning substantial weight losses and women thinking of becoming pregnant are advised to delay their abdominal correction decisions.
You can find out more about the full abdominoplasty in the tab ‘Abdominoplasty’.
Preparation for your procedure:
Patients planning or expecting a surgery are requested to read ‘Guide for the Patient – preparation for your procedure’, available in the INFORMATION section.
Recommendations following a mini-abdominoplasty:
- Stay at the clinic: the Patient will remain at the clinic for 1 day following the procedure;
- Dressing and special clothing: pressure clothing is recommended for the first 2-3 weeks of recovery both during the day and at night;
- Reduced mobility: a stooping posture when walking is recommended for 1-2 days after the procedure; you mustn’t carry any loads, including children, for at least 2 weeks; a sparing lifestyle for a minimum of 3-4 weeks; you can’t practise sports for at least 6 weeks and when you take it up again, it shouldn’t cause any pain;
- Medication: antibiotic therapy is administered post-operatively. If needed, the Patient takes drugs agreed with their doctor; strong painkillers must be taken with great caution;
- Other: a light diet is recommended for a minimum of 2 weeks; smoking, drinking alcohol or caffeine drinks are prohibited for a minimum of 3 weeks following the procedure; Patients cannot sunbathe or go to a solarium for 6 months; protective high UV filter preparations should be used when sunbathing later;
- Follow-up visits: Patients must attend follow-up visits arranged with their doctor.
Patients will be informed in detail about any recommendations following their procedures at the clinic.
