Abdominoplasty step by step
Dr. Ashok TandonAbdominoplasty is one of the most common procedures of Plastic Surgery in Delhi to correct the waistline. Abdominoplasty is an abdominal plastic surgery to remove excess skin in the region. It can be performed on men and women who want to correct different conditions, such as:
- sagging: people with excess flaccidity in the abdomen and who cannot eliminate it with methods such as diets, physical exercises or other aesthetic procedures;
- stretch marks: excess stretch marks in the abdomen region can also be eliminated with the procedure if it is associated with sagging;
- Diastasis: consists of the separation between the rectus abdominis muscles
- Muscle weakness: Patients with muscle weakness in the abdominal region may also undergo surgery to promote stabilization of the abdominal wall.
Although not the only cases, these situations are common in post-pregnancy, patients who underwent bariatric surgery or who lost a lot of weight in a short time.
Genetic factors are also related to a greater predisposition to skin accumulation and sagging in the abdominal region, explains the Cosmetic Surgeon in Delhi.
Abdominoplasty Steps
Abdominoplasty in Delhi is performed with epidural or spinal anesthesia with intravenous sedation for the patient to sleep, or with general anesthesia when associated with other surgeries, such as liposuction. Therefore, this surgery is always performed in the hospital.
After asepsis of the skin, the surgeon makes the incision lines: in general, the first is made in the pubis, from one hip to the other, and the second from the first in a vertical direction, passing around the navel. Then the tissue is lifted to expose the abdominal muscles, explains the Plastic Surgeon in Delhi.
In this way, the surgeon can sew the muscles that are strained. Afterwards, the skin that was lifted to expose the muscles is repositioned, passing over the navel, which will be hidden (as it is attached to the internal abdominal wall).
To expose the belly button again, the surgeon makes a hole in the tissue around it. Then, the excess skin and fat are removed from the original incision, in order to solve the problem of sagging.
The next step is to insert the drains to prevent fluid build-up and suture the incisions. Finally, dressings are made and the patient is dressed in the compression garment. The surgery takes 2 to 3 hours, explains the Plastic Surgeon in Pitampura.
Types of Abdominoplasty
Above, we have described the classic tummy tuck step-by-step, but there are other variations of this procedure. Learn more about them:
- Classic abdominoplasty : this is the most traditional method, which aims to remove excess skin and correct muscle sagging. It is recommended for patients with large excess skin and significant spread of abdominal muscles;
- Extensive abdominoplasty : in addition to removing excess skin and correcting abdominal sagging, this surgery also removes excess located on the sides, hips and lumbar, so the incision is larger. It is a highly sought-after surgery after pregnancy;
- Miniabdominoplasty : is a minor surgery compared to the classic method, indicated for patients who want or need to eliminate only excess fat skin below the navel, in the region called “belly foot”. Your recovery is faster;
- Lipoabdominoplasty : associates abdominoplasty with liposuction, indicated for patients who have a thicker layer of fat in the abdomen. It removes excess fat from the belly, waist and back, reshaping the outline.
Care before surgery
Ten days before the Abdominoplasty in Delhi, it is necessary to stop the use of drugs to lose weight and other substances as recommended by the Plastic Surgeon in Delhi. The day before, you should avoid consuming alcoholic beverages and heavy meals.
On the day of surgery, the patient must attend the hospital for admission at the previously agreed time to fast for 8 hours, including water. In case of flu or other ailments, the patient must notify the team up to 2 days before surgery.
A very important detail before having a tummy tuck in Delhi is to have everything properly organized so that you can take a two-week home rest after the procedure, allowing your recovery, says the Plastic Surgeon in Pitampura.
Abdominoplasty recovery
The patient may experience pain and discomfort for the first three days, which are usually relieved with simple painkillers prescribed by the doctor. It will not be possible to get fully erect right away, but it is recommended to take short walks.
The dressings must be removed within 24 hours, and the patient can take a full bath. Drains are usually removed in two to three weeks. The diet can be normal, just avoiding foods that favor the accumulation of gases.
It is essential that the patient uses the compression belt for at least 30 days. It helps keep tissues in their new locations and facilitates healing, as well as providing patient safety.
The patient should avoid straining and lifting weights for 30 days, gradually resuming physical activities as authorized by the Plastic Surgeon in Delhi. Lymphatic drainage sessions are recommended from the fourth day onwards.
Abdominoplasty risks
As with any surgery, there are risks of infection, hemorrhage, necrosis and thromboembolism. But if the patient takes proper care, recovery will occur in a healthy and positive way, explains the Plastic Surgeon in Shalimar Bagh.
Tummy tuck scars
The scar is located horizontally, just above the pubic hairline, and is normally covered by underwear and bathing suits. The size of the scar depends on the volume to be corrected in the Tummy tuck in Delhi.
In the first 30 days, the scar will be quite discreet, perhaps with some reactions to the stitches and dressings. From the second month onwards, there is a natural thickening and a change in color, in which the scar changes from red to brown, becoming darker.
Between 12 to 18 months after surgery, the scar gradually starts to get lighter and less consistent, reaching its final appearance only after that period, says the Plastic Surgeon in Shalimar Bagh.
Tummy tuck and liposuction: what are the differences
While abdominoplasty in Delhi aims to correct sagging and reposition muscles, liposuction promotes the removal of localized fat. Liposuction in Delhi is performed by inserting cannulas that suck out excess adipose tissue.
These two procedures can be combined to promote an even more complete surgery, providing better results to patients when needed.