Abdominoplasty
Body remodeling surgery called abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the lower and middle abdomen, and at the same time tense the muscles of the abdominal wall, relaxed by the lack of exercises, or by the action on the abdominal tissues caused by pregnancy. With this intervention it is also possible to correct congenital or acquired defects of the abdominal wall such as hernias, eventrations, and scars from previous surgeries. This procedure drastically reduces the protruding appearance of the abdomen. It must be taken into account that the abdominoplasty will leave a permanent scar, which, depending on the problem to be solved, will be of greater or lesser length, being able to go from hip to hip, in the form of a scar of caesarean section, but somewhat longer. that over time will remain like a thin white line.
Considering a tummy tuck
Body remodeling surgery called abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the lower and middle abdomen, and at the same time tense the muscles of the abdominal wall, relaxed by the lack of exercises, or by the action on the abdominal tissues caused by pregnancy. With this intervention it is also possible to correct congenital or acquired defects of the abdominal wall such as hernias, eventrations, and scars from previous surgeries. This procedure drastically reduces the protruding appearance of the abdomen. It must be taken into account that the abdominoplasty will leave a permanent scar, which, depending on the problem to be solved, will be of greater or lesser length, being able to go from hip to hip, in the form of a scar of caesarean section, but somewhat longer. that over time will remain as a thin white line.
The best candidates
The best candidates for a tummy tuck are men and women in good health, emotionally stable, and realistic with their expectations, about what this type of surgery can do to improve their appearance. The best results are observed in those people with good elasticity in their skin with adequate muscle tone and a low amount of fat inside the abdomen. Other patients that will obtain a great improvement in their appearance are women who, after their pregnancies, have their abdominal muscles stretched and the skin has not returned to normal. If they think they have more children, it would be convenient to postpone this surgery since the muscles will stretch again. The loss of skin elasticity in older patients, which sometimes occurs with mild obesity, can also be resolved. People with prominent constitutional abdomen, due to a large accumulation of fatty tissue inside the abdominal wall, ie between the viscera, may have lower results with this type of surgery
Planning your surgery
In the initial consultation, we will evaluate your health status, and we will explain which surgical technique is most appropriate for you, based on your abdominal fat deposits, the previous condition of your abdominal wall, the tone of your skin and the shape of your abdomen. You should tell us about your habits as to whether you smoke, or if you take any medication. We will explore the existence of weaknesses or hernias in the wall, as well as the scars of previous surgeries if any. In this opportunity, it will be possible to determine if with liposuction the best results can be achieved, or if it is necessary to plan the removal of some sector of the flaccid and excess skin. For example, if your fatty deposits are mostly below the navel, you may need a less complex procedure called mini dermolipectomy. In this same operative act other procedures can be performed, for example, hip liposuction, in case it is convenient, to achieve a better body contour.
Preparing for your surgery
Before the surgery we will give you specific instructions, such as a guide to meals, drinks, cigarettes, taking certain vitamins and medicines, and about washing your body. It is very important that in case of being a patient with smoking habits, suspend it at least two weeks before the surgery and do not resume it until at least two weeks after the same since smokers usually have less capacity to make good scars and a greater predisposition to infections. Carefully follow those instructions that will help your surgery go smoothly, and have a comfortable postoperative period. An important aspect is that you make sure that someone accompanies you to your home after surgery and can help you for a few days, if you need it. In addition, you must make the necessary preparations to be at home for a few days, without having to go out and make purchases or procedures.
Where will your surgery be done?
The surgery is performed in the Sanatorium, which has all the necessary medical equipment and the greatest comfort for you. The day of surgery should come with comfortable clothes and sports shoes. You should arrive about 30 minutes before the scheduled time, to make the entry procedures, make a complete medical history, and take preoperative photographs. In your room we will give you a sedative by mouth and you can change clothes. After the surgery, he will stay in the clinic for between one and two hours, until we make sure everything is in order and he can return to his home, where he will continue to rest.
Types of anesthesia
For the Abdominoplasty can be used different types of anesthesia, local, regional, and general. Our technique combines a special type of local anesthesia, with a gentle general sedation, which provides permanent comfort throughout the surgery, and for several hours afterwards. In the case of minidermolipectomy, the local anesthesia we use is the so-called Tumescent Local Anesthesia and it bears this name because it consists of the introduction of a large volume of anesthetic liquid (physiological solution, lidocaine and vasoconstrictors) in each of the areas to be treated. , with enough volume so that each zone remains Tumefacta. This situation makes the removal of fat extremely easy, and, since the anesthetic solution is prepared with a vasoconstrictor substance (reduces the size of the small blood vessels), bleeding is minimal. Anesthesia is administered by a thin cannula, which is inserted under the skin through small incisions of 2 mm. Along with Tumescent Local Anesthesia, a mild sedative will be given intravenously, which will make you feel calm and indifferent throughout the surgery, and once it has finished, its effect will be gradually removed in the following hours. . For cases in which correction of the muscles of the abdominal wall is necessary, the indicated anesthesia will be General or epidural anesthesia (anesthesia generally used in deliveries).
Surgery/h3>
The complete abdominoplasty takes two to three hours depending on the complexity. The minidermolipectomy, usually takes a little less time. Usually, a horizontal inscription is made from hip to hip, just below the pubic area, approximately at the height of the elastic of your underwear, so that the scar is disguised as a natural doubling of the body. It separates the skin and fat tissue from your abdominal muscles, which will be re-tensed as an internal corset that without limiting it, will sharpen your waist and flatten your abdomen.
The skin is stretched down and the excess is removed. the umbilicus is relocated in the correct position and a small drainage tube is placed, which will be removed at 24 to 48 hours. In the case of minidermolipectomy, localized deposits of fat, if any, are removed first. Through a small incision in the skin, a thin tube or cannula is inserted, after performing the corresponding anesthesia, the fat between the skin and the muscular plane is extracted by vacuum. The cannula is pushed and pulled through the fat creating micro-tunnels through which the fat cells are sucked out. The suction is provided by a vacuum pump, or a large syringe, depending on the situation. The removal of skin is done in the lower abdomen, in a transverse direction, so that the resulting scar is hidden by the thong of a bikini. Sometimes a correction must be made in the position of the navel so that it is in a harmonic location with respect to the abdomen. After the surgery, dressings are placed on the wound so that it absorbs the surplus of local anesthesia that will drain normally for about 15 to 20 hours. You will also be fitted with an elastic band that comfortably covers the entire treated area, and that you should use for about three to four weeks.
After surgery
Depending on the length of the surgery, you will stay at the clinic for more or less hours, until you are fully recovered and able to retire to your home. It is important that you start wandering as soon as possible. In the case of the minidermolipectomy, after the surgery, you will feel that fluid drainage occurs from the incisions. The first days you will feel swollen and somewhat annoyed, or painful, this is completely normal and can be controlled with the analgesic medication that we will prescribe, as well as antibiotics for seven days, to prevent infections. To prevent swelling, and help fix the skin well to the new contour, you will be instructed to wear an elastic garment for two to four weeks. Do not expect to look or feel spectacularly well after surgery, although new techniques are known to reduce postoperative discomfort, you may feel some temporary pain, burning, swelling, bleeding and bruising. It is normal to feel a little anxious or depressed in the days or weeks after surgery. In any case, these feelings will diminish as you begin to look and feel better. Usually, the sutures are removed between the tenth and the fifteenth day. The swelling and bruising will disappear gradually over the next four weeks, and you will begin to see the results after four to six weeks, although the end of this process will be after six months.
Getting back to normal
You will begin to feel better after about one to two weeks and will return to your usual tasks after a few days after surgery. The most strenuous activities should wait approximately one month. The following visits will be to monitor the evolution. If you have any unusual signs or symptoms between visits, such as significant bleeding or sudden onset pain, or any doubt about what you can or can not do, call us. Their scars will gradually clear and refine, and will be hidden with clothes, including swimsuits.
Potential risks or complications
Abdominoplasty is normally safe, performed in the healthy patient and in the right place and by a professional trained in plastic surgery techniques. However, as with any other surgery, there is always the possibility of surgical complications, common to surgeries in general, or adverse reactions to anesthesia. Bleeding and infection are infrequent, but if they do occur, they deserve special attention. To prevent these complications, intraoperative antibiotics will be administered and they will be taken after surgery, and they will be left for 24 to 48 hours. a drain tube. The percentage of risks decreases, if you carefully follow the pre and postoperative indications that we indicate.
Your new look
Abdominoplasty and minidermolipectomy produce excellent results in patients who have weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin. In most cases, the results are permanent, if you also adopt a routine of exercises and a balanced diet. After the abdominoplasty, you will soon see a noticeable difference in the shape of your body, although the improvement will be more evident after four to six weeks, when most of the edema has been removed. After about three months some persistent edema will disappear, and the final contour will become visible. You can feel more comfortable in a wide variety of clothes. If you are realistic with your expectations and are prepared to endure a permanent scar, abdominoplasty is the answer for you.
