Doctolib
What is abdominoplasty and who is it for?
The tummy Tuck is to most extensive plastic and aesthetic surgery of the abdomen. It should only be done by a plastic surgeon. It is the most practiced aesthetic surgery of the abdomen, more common than liposuction. It’s practiced for both men and women.
In women, a tummy tuck after pregnancy is often necessary after the second pregnancy; Pregnancy and weight gain followed by slimming diets, alter more specifically this sensitive area of the body. The skin of the stomach is distended with often a presence of stretch marks, and excess of skin.
The muscles in the abdominal wall relax and fat accumulates on the abdomen. It is therefore essential to correct all the 3 components of the abdomen which are altered , to obtain a good result: to eliminate the fat by liposuction of the abdomen, to tighten the abdominal muscles, and remove the excess skin or circular lipectomy in the event of aesthetic consequences of obesity.
Aesthetic surgery can correct the deficits of the abdominal wall. Isolated liposuction may be sufficient, but abdominoplasty is often indispensable especially in cases after pregnancy.
As with any surgical procedure it is advisable to inform the surgeon about other treatments in progress and to avoid specially aspirin and similar medications 2 weeks before the surgery. Abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia.
The duration of the intervention can range from one hour and a half to three hours.
The surgeon begins by performing liposuction or abdominal lipoaspiration. The skin is then detached and the surgeon proceeds to repair the abdominal muscles and to approximate them the midline. Excess skin is removed (a crescent of skin and fat between the umbilicus and the pubis). The umbilicus is repositioned at the end of the operation in a new orifice and the abdominal wall is sutured. This procedure is called tummy tuck or abdominoplasty.
1 or 2 drains are used for a few days. A modeling dressing is placed at the end of the procedure.
The duration of the hospitalization varies from 1 to 2 days
A slight edema, small bruises and a decrease in the sensitivity of the detached areas are common but rapidly resolved. The dressings remains at least fifteen days. You will also need to wear a tight elastic panty for at least four weeks. You need to stop working for 2 to 4 weeks. After a month and a half you can resume excersise.
The scar will be hidden in the underwear. In general it is located at the upper edge of the pubic hair and continues in the folds of the groin. Often pink at first, it fades gradually and permanently from the third month. So you can wear minislips or bikinis.
The complications of abdominoplasty are fortunately very rare. As with all surgery, they are always possible but rare and can easily be treated, such as bleeding, infections, etc.
Complications specific to the surgery of tummy tuck are following:
We can sometimes observe a less than optimal evolution of the scar but there are always solutions to improve and make it better. Especially since, even without treatment, a scar fades practically completely over the years.
The improvement is very clear immediately after the surgery. Especially for tummy tucks after pregnancies. The belly is flat, you lose several sizes of your pants which is very rewarding. Nevertheless it is essential to continue healthy lifestyle and diet afterwards. The final result can be fully appreciated one year after the intervention.
Do you wish to have a consultation with Doctor Bergeret-Galley ?
Contact us here
