Learn more

Just like liposuction, abdominoplasty is a surgery that can be used to reshape the abdominal area. It is highly recommended for patients who have recently gone through pregnancy or have had bariatric surgery. Abdominoplasty involves treating excess skin, localized fat, and correcting the separation of the abdominal muscles.

The surgery lasts an average of 3 hours, and during this period, the doctor needs to make an incision in the lower abdomen. After this incision, the skin and fat are separated from the muscle wall, allowing the muscles that reinforce the abdominal wall to be brought closer together. After that, the surgeon removes the excess skin and fat and closes the incision.

Before and after the surgery

Before the surgery, the patient should avoid taking medication, smoking, and drinking alcohol, and follow the rule of total fasting for eight hours before the surgery. After being discharged (the patient can usually go home the day after the surgery), the rest period can vary from 10 days to two months, but regardless of this time, it is necessary to follow some care guidelines to ensure the best possible results from the abdominoplasty.

They are:

• Sleep on your back with your legs always bent (at least for the first 15 days);
• Shower baths are possible the day after the surgery. The surgical team will change the dressings after 4 days;
• Wear a compression garment and compression stockings (the compression garment should only be removed for bathing because it relieves pain and prevents complications with scars). In the case of compression stockings, they should only be removed when the person resumes daily activities;
• Dressing changes (the first change should be done 4 days after the surgery by the medical team, delicately following medical guidelines);
• Light physical exercises (it is not recommended for the patient to lift weights after the surgery, but in this case, it is good to move the legs every two hours to avoid clots in the operated area);