Abdominoplasty

Indication

Often, women and men who have lost a significant amount of weight or women who are status post pregnancy and delivery are dissatisfied with the appearance of their abdominal area.

Since the abdominal wall has been significantly stretched for quite a long period of time, the musculature has become weak. Despite intense training, the separation of the straight abdominal muscles might persist (so-called rectus diastasis).

The skin and the subcutaneous tissue were stretched to such an extent that the result is a flabby, coarsely wrinkled abdomen and / or an apron of fat.

This is where an abdominoplasty can help. An abdominoplasty provides a good   possibility to optimize the abdominal region, which is felt to be unaesthetic. Many patients also suffer from eczema, which form in the skin fold, a so-called apron of fat.

Course of the procedure
First, a long skin incision is made, which is running in a w- or key-shaped line from hipbone to hipbone just above the pubic hair. 

Additionally, the umbilicus is released from the abdominal wall.

The skin area between the pubic hair and the costal arches is stretched downward and at the same time, excess skin tissue is removed. The umbilicus on its stalk is suture-approximated at another location. Via thin draining tubes on both sides of the lower abdomen, blood and wound secretion can drain during the first postoperative phase. Finally, the incisions are closed again, a dressing and custom-fitted compression pants are applied.

Prior to the surgery an anesthesia workup is required. During this workup, patients will inform the anesthesiologist of all previous illnesses they have had and of all medication they may have to take. 

Surgical time
Normally, the surgical time of the abdominoplasty is 3 to 3.5 hours.

Hospital stay
After the surgery, patients normally remain hospitalized for 4-6 days.

Instructions on postoperative behavior
Patients must wear the custom-fitted compression pants for about 4-6 weeks without opening or removing them.  The compression pants will be changed in the clinic and the wound care will also be performed in the clinic based on instructions.

When patients will be able to return to work/perform sports will depend on the healing process and the type of the patients occupation.