Pregnancies, weight loss, and the passage of time can lead to the loss of skin elasticity in the abdomen. As a result, there is an appearance of a globular abdomen, with excess skin and fat, as well as an increased waist circumference. These issues can be corrected with an abdominoplasty or abdominal surgery, as it is also known.

First Consultation

During the first consultation, a general evaluation of your health status will be conducted, as well as an examination of your abdomen, observing the skin quality, stretch marks, and the degree of sagging of the abdominal apron, and the presence or absence of the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles (Diastasis), to see if an abdominoplasty is indicated in your case. Additionally, a series of measurements and photographs will be taken to plan your surgery.

The different surgical techniques that can be performed in your case will be explained to you, as well as the postoperative evolution.

You should be as honest as possible, expressing any doubts that may arise.

Surgery and Anesthesia

Abdominoplasty is a procedure that requires GENERAL anesthesia and a hospital stay of 1 or 2 days. The approximate duration of this procedure is about 3-5 hours.

On the day of the surgery, once you are admitted, we will come to your room to mark the abdominoplasty pattern on your abdomen that we have chosen during the consultation. There are different types of abdominoplasty: transverse, anchor, circumferential, etc. The most suitable one for your case will be explained during the first consultation.

In the operating room, following the previously designed pattern, we will perform the removal of the excess skin and fat from your abdomen, detachment of the upper abdominal flap, and if necessary, plication of your rectus abdominis muscles (in case of diastasis) and placement of two drains. Next, the navel is released from the upper abdominal flap, which is advanced to its new location. Subsequently, the skin closure and repositioning of the navel in its new location are performed.

In general, it is associated with individualized liposuction or liposculpture of the adjacent areas (flanks, abdomen, back…) to improve the result and achieve a better silhouette globally.

This type of procedure leaves a scar that goes from one hip to the other and another scar around the navel. The longer scar is easily concealable with underwear or even a bikini.

There is another type of abdominoplasty, called abdominoplasty with minimal scar, indicated for patients with a flaccid and "bulging" abdomen mainly due to the diastasis of their rectus abdominis muscles. In this type of patient, the excess skin and fat are minimal. This procedure involves performing a plication of the rectus abdominis muscles through an incision of approximately 15cm and minimal skin removal, lowering and repositioning the navel. In this procedure, two drains are also placed.

This procedure leaves a smaller scar that is easily hidden with underwear or a bikini.

You should bring a compression garment (girdle) to the operating room, which will have been previously indicated during the consultation and will be placed on you once the procedure is completed.

Postoperative

The day after the procedure, you will receive the first dressing change for your surgery, and the drainage output will be assessed. These drains will not