What is abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty is a plastic surgery performed to remove excess skin and assist in body contouring. This procedure can also remove stretch marks located below the belly button, the area where skin is removed.
Usually, we associate liposuction on the back and flanks, generating an improvement in body contour, which is called Lipoabdominoplasty.
In addition, we can collect this fat and perform gluteal fat grafting—gluteal remodeling, a procedure known as Liposculpture.
In selected cases, we can choose the high-definition technique.
We can also associate the use of technologies such as Renuvion and Bodytite, for greater skin retraction. Therefore, the consultation with your surgeon is essential for a personalized planning.
When should you have an abdominoplasty?
Generally, patients' complaints are:
- Sagging in the abdominal region;
- Bulging or projected abdomen, disproportionate to the rest of the body;
- Abdominal bulging during efforts (diastasis).
What are the types of abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty has two variants: Reverse Abdominoplasty and Mini-Abdominoplasty.
Reverse Abdominoplasty is indicated in specific cases of abdominal sagging above the belly button and almost none below it. Mini-Abdominoplasty is indicated when sagging is infra-umbilical and there is no sagging above the umbilical scar.
Which is the best surgery to lose belly? Abdominoplasty or Liposuction?
Do you want a more beautiful and well-defined abdomen? Plastic surgery can be the solution. The two main surgeries indicated to improve the appearance of the abdomen are Liposuction and Abdominoplasty. If there is skin sagging, Abdominoplasty is indicated, associated with Liposuction.
In cases where there is no skin sagging, fat is likely responsible for the loss of abdominal definition, and in this case, we perform Liposuction only.
Can I combine Abdominoplasty with other surgeries?
Yes, the total surgical limit of 6 hours must be respected.
How long does abdominoplasty take?
The surgery takes an average of 3 hours.
Who is the professional qualified to perform Abdominoplasty?
This type of procedure must be performed by a Plastic Surgeon recognized by the CRM (Regional Council of Medicine) and the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP). To find out if your doctor is recognized, just look up their registration on the website of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery.
What is the Abdominoplasty scar like?
Scar location: There are two scars resulting from an abdominoplasty: the scar on the lower abdomen, which extends from one iliac crest to the other, but is hidden by underwear. The other scar is the umbilical scar, an important step in the surgery aimed at making this scar as natural and discreet as possible. That is why we use surgical glue in all our cases.
Scar size: The size of the scar varies according to the excess skin. Only during the medical consultation with the Plastic Surgeon will it be possible to estimate the final size of the scar, as there is no universal technique in Abdominoplasty, but a personalized approach according to the patient's needs.
What type of anesthesia is used?
The anesthesia used is General, as it is safer and more comfortable for the patient.
How long does it take for the belly to de-swell after an Abdominoplasty?
Patience is required. Because it is part of a long and complex organic process, swelling takes time to improve. A preview of the result is observed in the first few weeks, with final results between 3 and 6 months up to 1 year, depending on each body.
How long does it take for the internal stitches of the Abdominoplasty to heal?
Generally, in 2 months the patient is fit for any physical activity. Light physical activity can be started 3 weeks after surgery.
Can I remove the compression garment to sleep?
After surgery, the compression garment must be worn even to sleep, and should only be removed to bathe during the first month. In the second month, we begin to make the usage time more flexible, depending on the evolution of each patient.
How long after Abdominoplasty can I stop using the compression garment?
The use of the compression garment is indicated for a period of one to two months. The purpose of the garment is to compress the abdomen to reduce edema (fluid accumulation), improve healing, provide comfort and safety, shape your curves, and reduce pain.
How long after Abdominoplasty are exercise and abdominal crunches allowed?
Exercises that strain the abdominal muscles are allowed after 60 days.
Do people who have Abdominoplasty end up with a high stomach?
The so-called "high stomach" can be caused by intra-abdominal (visceral) fat or by a diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle accentuated in the region. If a patient has a lot of visceral fat, they are probably outside the ideal weight for surgery, and it should be postponed to a better time. In the case of diastasis, it will be treated during the execution of the surgical technique.
Who is not a candidate?
Patients above their ideal weight, with a BMI above 30, are candidates for weight and lifestyle improvement before surgery.
Can I get pregnant after an Abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty does not prevent pregnancy or cause any risk to the mother or the fetus. The treatment performed on the abdominal muscles during surgery only repositions these muscles to their original site and reinforces the central portion to improve the aesthetics of the abdomen. However, this does not prevent uterine growth in a future pregnancy.
What are the risks of Abdominoplasty?
The greatest risks are thrombosis, ischemia of part of the abdomen, among others. To avoid these risks, the patient must be in good health, be operated on by a surgeon member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, and in an appropriate facility.
Abdominoplasty price in São Paulo?
Depending on the professionals and the structure involved, to give you greater safety, you will find Abdominoplasty with varying costs, from the most affordable to the most expensive. The cost includes hospital, materials, and labor of the plastic surgery team. The price is determined by the experience and responsibility of the chosen doctor.
Now, pay close attention when choosing the professional!
Do not use price as the main factor. As I said, although rare unforeseen events can occur, the location and doctor you choose must be prepared to handle them.
Checklist before the Abdominoplasty consultation:
When choosing a Plastic Surgeon to perform Abdominoplasty, remember that the surgeon's experience and your good relationship with them are as important as the final cost of the surgery.
A good starting point is to use the list below as a guide during your consultation.
- Is the doctor a specialist in plastic surgery registered with the CRM (RQE)? It is possible to check this on the institution's (CFM) website. Here is the link if you want to check.
- How many years of training in plastic surgery does the doctor have?
- Is the location chosen for the surgery safe?
- Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
- What is expected of me to obtain the best results? Were you well-guided regarding the postoperative period?
- Where and how will the procedure be performed?
- What surgical technique is recommended for me?
- What recovery time can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
- What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
- How are complications treated?
- What will my belly and waist look like over time?
- The hospitalization time after Abdominoplasty should be at least 24 hours. Leaving the hospital right after the procedure is a mistake and can cause harm to your health. Will the doctor take this into account?
