ABDOMINAL LIFT

Abdominal lift surgery, in other words, abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and sagging skin tissue in the middle or lower area of the abdomen so that the abdominal muscles are tightened and strengthened.

The ideal patient for abdominal lift surgery has sagging abdominal tissue while overweight people are not suitable candidates for this surgery. Such individuals should first lose weight with diet and exercise and then think about having an abdominal lift surgery for remaining sagging tissues. The ideal candidates for this surgery are those who have weak abdominal wall muscles, loose skin, and stretch marks on the abdomen due to giving birth. In short, abdominal lift both removes the excess cracked skin and supports weakened abdominal muscles.

Abdominal lift surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. The incision extends between the two pelvic bones and it is hidden in the lower fold line of the abdomen. Another incision is made around the belly to remove the skin and fat tissue under the belly. Abdominal muscles are tightened and repositioned. The skin is stretched downward and the remaining skin is pulled together and stitched back in place. To prevent blood accumulation inside, two drains are located, which are removed in 3 to 4 days. 2 nights in the hospital will be enough for the patient. The patient should use a corset for up to 6 weeks and take it easy for a few weeks to avoid putting strain on the stitches.

Patients should not smoke for two weeks before and two weeks after the surgery.  Patients are also recommended to take a break from vitamin E and aspirin at least one week prior to the surgery.   

To correct the body contour, abdominoplasty can also be combined with cosmetic breast surgeries, liposuction or some other surgeries, such as uterine and ovarian surgeries, etc.

It takes about 2 to 3 weeks for the patient to return to work. The surgical scars may be noticeable, pink or swollen in the first few months. Then they will get hardly visible over time. While pregnancy is possible after the surgery, it is better to postpone it to after the delivery to get permanent results. As long as the weight of the patient does not change drastically, the results of abdominoplasty provides pleasing, and long lasting results.