Abdominoplasty is designed to improve the appearance of the abdomen in both male and female patients. There is a variety of different procedures that can be used to maximize the appearance and contour of the patient’s abdomen.
Abdominoplasty may be performed on patients who have lost weight, the result of which is flaccid, hanging skin; or patients who have had pregnancies, whose rectus muscle support has been damaged, resulting in a separation (diastasis) of the abdominal muscles or a combination of the two. The surgery has the added benefit of minimizing or eliminating the stretch marks (striae) that are common. This procedure is performed by Dr. Cerqueiro in the associated hospitals of Madrid and La Coruña.
The plastic surgery procedure takes about two hours and is usually performed under general anaesthesia. Different techniques may be used depending on the needs of the patient, the presence of scars, and the amount of fat that needs to be contoured. If you are contemplating another pregnancy, this operation should be deferred until you have finished your pregnancy. Your needs will be addressed during consultation.
Lipoabdominoplasty: This is a recent technical innovation in abdominal contour surgery. This procedure extends the area operated by the use of blunt liposuction cannulas without injury to blood vessels and sensory nerves. Recent studies have proved that with this procedure it is possible to treat large areas or even more extensive than with traditional abdominoplasty with a reduction of the number of possible complications.
La Mini-Abdominoplasty is a popular alternative to the full procedure. It may be offered to patients that have a limited amount of skin excess below the belly button (umbilicus) and where the focus of repair is the limited skin excess and/or the underlying muscle weakness. On male patients who have had significant weight loss, the operation may also be beneficial an the procedure has different goals to the abdominoplasty for women.
We mostly perform abdominoplasty under general anaesthesia. All our anaesthetists are fully qualified and highly experienced specialist physicians.
The convalescence for this procedure is about two weeks. It may be three weeks before you may pick up children or heavier objects. You should wait for at least three weeks before you start exercising.
Complications after this surgery are well-documented. Although the incidence of wound healing problems, pulmonary embolus and scarring are low, they may occur.
Dr. Cerqueiro review these and any other possible side effect with you taking in consideration your particular case as part of your procedure.
Most of the potential complications are related to cigarette smoke. If you are a smoker you should stop for at least one month prior to surgery. Nicotine patches are not a substitute, and do not significantly diminish the risk of complications.