Abdominoplasty: What you need to know

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Tran Van Trong - Specialist in Pediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery - Aesthetics - Department of General Surgery - Vinmec Danang International Hospital.
After giving birth, the abdominal skin can hardly return to normal, wrinkled skin or excess fat often makes women less confident. In some cases because of obesity and loss of shape, abdominoplasty is a method to help reduce belly fat to have a balanced body.

1. Abdominoplasty surgery

There are 2 types of abdominal wall surgery:
Total abdominoplasty : The doctor will make a large cut in the lower abdomen just above the pubic area from the waist to the hip. A second incision will be made to free the navel from surrounding tissue. The doctor will separate the skin from the abdominal wall. Next, the abdominal muscles are repositioned, the accumulated fat and excess skin is removed. The doctor then shapes the new navel. The remaining skin will be pulled and sewn together.
Partial or minor abdominoplasty: The doctor will make a large cut in the lower abdomen. Next, the surgeon will separate the skin from the abdominal wall below the navel. Fat accumulates and excess skin is removed. The remaining skin will be pulled together and stitched in place. Partial abdominoplasty is suitable for people with lower abdominal fat.

2. Purpose of abdominoplasty surgery

Abdominal wall surgery cuts away stretched, scarred, or stretched skin and tightens surrounding healthy skin.
Doctors can perform a combination of localized fat removal with liposuction and treatment of abdominal wall muscle injuries just below the skin such as muscle relaxants and abdominal wall hernias.
Abdominoplasty is usually the removal of an oval-shaped area of ​​skin that corresponds to all or part of the area between the navel and the pubic bone. The healthy skin in the proximal region that normally lies above the navel will be covered downwards, to regenerate an abdominal wall with a layer of good quality skin.
The navel is preserved and moved to its normal position, thanks to an incision in the descending skin.

3. The surgical process

Before surgical intervention Must do blood tests, chest X-ray, echocardiogram, abdominal ultrasound, electrocardiogram... Anesthesiologist will meet to examine you and advise you before surgical intervention. art. Stop taking aspirin-containing medicines for 10 days before surgery.
Anesthesia and hospital stay Abdominoplasty is always performed under general anesthesia. Surgery time ranges from about 90 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the amount of work performed. The length of hospital stay varies from 2 to 5 days.
Content of surgery Carefully calculate the skin incisions, so that the skin is neither redundant nor missing. Absorb excess fat. Stretched muscles are re-stretched. Bandage shaping the abdominal wall area. Postoperatively The fixation bandage is kept for 15 days after surgery. The patient is then instructed to wear a supportive corset for 2-4 weeks, day and night. Must stop doing heavy work for 2-4 weeks. Scars are usually red for the first 2-3 months, then fade after the third month and last for 1-3 years. Scars are not exposed to the sun nor ultraviolet rays for the first 3 months. Bodyweight aerobics can be gradually started from the sixth week after surgery.

4. Results of tummy tuck

It is necessary to wait patiently for the necessary time for the scar to decrease and during the follow-up period, it is necessary to consult a doctor regularly every 3 months for 1 year.
Scars reduce a lot over time but cannot completely disappear. The nature of the scar depends on the patient's location and adherence to the post-surgery diet regimen.
Abdomen has significantly reduced excess fat with excess skin, stretch marks or flabby abdominal wall. The waist is reduced and toned like before birth thanks to the shaping of the abdominal wall muscles. Long-term effect, the scar after surgery will fade and no longer see over time. Immediately after the surgery to reduce the abdominal wall, you will see that the measurement of the 2nd round is significantly improved, the effect is visible.

5. Possible complications

Possible complications in abdominoplasty:
Embolic complications (phlebitis, pulmonary embolism) although rare, are the most feared. Preventive measures to limit these complications: wear antithrombotic stockings, get up early, receive anticoagulant treatment... Although hematoma is quite rare, it needs to be drained. Infection may occur, requiring drainage and antibiotics. From the 8th day after surgery, there may be lymphatic bleeding, the probe will dry out gradually. Skin necrosis is occasional, usually limited and localized. Change in sensation of the abdominal wall, especially the area below the navel. Feelings return to normal after 3-12 months. Delayed scar healing may occur in patients with severely damaged skin or with excessive scarring. Abdominoplasty must be performed by well-trained, experienced plastic surgeons for maximum effectiveness and to prevent complications. Aesthetic Center - Vinmec Times City International Hospital pioneers the application of the world's leading advanced aesthetic technology, in cooperation with prestigious partners. The advantages of choosing Vinmec Beauty Center include:
Professional consulting services - Dedicated care. Catching up with the trend of modern plastic surgery, beauty with high technology and safe aesthetics of the world. Closed surgical procedure according to international standards, ensuring maximum safety. After surgery, patients are cared for after surgery to rest and relax in a private room, ensuring privacy to recover soon and achieve the best results. Applying the world's most advanced pain-relieving anesthetic methods to help customers undergo gentle cosmetic surgery, reduce pain, and recover health soon.

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