Abdominoplasty - removal of abdominal excess

Abdominoplasty is an operation that seeks to improve the appearance of the abdominal wall. Repeated pregnancies and obesity are very common causes of loose skin and spacing of the abdominal muscles, and stretch marks can also appear when the skin stretches. These adverse changes are permanent and do not disappear even after weight loss or intensive exercise. Abdominoplasty is not a treatment for obesity and is indicated only after weight stabilization. It is also not recommended for women who are still planning a pregnancy.

A consultation is required before the surgery, where you will learn all the necessary information. The operation is performed under general anaesthesia, under hospitalisation. At least 10 days before the operation, you must not take any medication that increases bleeding, and we recommend that you discontinue hormonal contraceptives for at least 1 month.

The course of the operation

There are 2 types of similar operations: abdominoplasty and mini-abdominoplasty.

Abdominoplasty is performed under hospitalisation, under anaesthesia and takes 2 to 3 hours. The skin incision is placed low in the abdomen, then the abdominal wall is prepared up to the rib arches. The belly button is trimmed during surgery and after removal of excess skin, the belly button is placed in a new location after careful planning. When the direct abdominal muscle is separated, called diastasis, it is sutured. At the end of the operation, all wounds are sutured with absorbable sutures, suction drains are inserted and then a compression bandage (special compression underwear or an abdominal belt) is applied. The resulting scar is placed in the lower abdomen and around the navel.

Miniabdominoplasty - partial abdominoplasty

A mini-abdominoplasty is a minor procedure. It is also performed under general anesthesia and takes about 1 hour. The incision is similar to the total abdominoplasty in the lower abdomen, but it is slightly shorter, the abdominal wall preparation is up to the level of the navel. This operation is suitable in cases where the skin is loose only in the lower part and the skin above the navel is firm and of good quality.

Postoperative course

After abdominal surgery, the patient usually remains hospitalized for 2 to 3 days. To prevent the risk of embolism, the patient must get out of bed on the day of the operation, and we also offer the option of using inflatable compression stockings for the lower limbs.

After discharge, we recommend bed rest in home treatment for 5-7 days to allow the tissues to fuse and heal faster. In some cases, the patient goes home with suction drains and it is necessary to record the status of fluid additions to the drains. It is very important to wear an elastic constriction undergarment or hernia belt for several weeks. Post-discharge transfers and checks are carried out in consultation with the plastic surgeon. Moderate exercise is possible after 4 weeks, full exercise after about 6 weeks. The abdominoplasty scar takes several months to mature.

The patient should not smoke until complete healing, otherwise it increases the risk of possible complications.

Risks

Despite the utmost care, the following complications may occur during or after the procedure:

• Risks associated with general anesthesia
• Risks associated with the surgical procedure - bleeding in the surgical wound. Mild bleeding will result in bruising in the surrounding area, which may prolong the healing time. More severe bleeding can
  require urgent reoperation and the need for blood transfusion. Another possible complication is infection in the surgical wound, which is manifested by redness and swelling, and can sometimes lead to gapping
  and necrosis.
• Spacing (tearing) of the surgical wound can also occur due to mechanical violence, failure to follow the regimen prescribed by the physician, or even without an identifiable cause.
• A relatively common complication of abdominoplasty is the accumulation of tissue fluid in the subcutaneous tissue (seroma), which sometimes has to be drained or repeatedly aspirated.
• In addition to the complications listed above, other complications may occur that are completely unexpected.

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