What is it?

Abdominoplasty is the plastic surgery of the abdomen that removes the excess skin and fat below the umbilicus.

What you need to know:

1) Scar
It is in the same place of the c-section scar. It varies in length according to the size of the abdomen. There is a tendency to follow the mark of the bikini, which nowadays is lower.

2) Pregnancy
The surgery can only be done six months after a pregnancy, when the organic tissues have gone back to normal. After the abdominoplasty is decided, it is recommended to use an efficient birth control method, since a later pregnancy may compromise all the result obtained.

3) Anesthesia
It may be peridural or general.

Before the surgery:

1) Complementary exams to be specified.

2) Picture of the abdomen, it is important for the evaluation, surgical planning and documentation.

3) Get a girdle and take it to the clinic the day of the surgery.

4) Go to the clinic in the day and time scheduled, preferably accompanied by someone.

5) Don’t take jewelry and other valuables to the clinic.

6) Don’t polish your nails.

7) Any occurrence such as diseases (the flu, fever, infection) or other motives that cause the suspension of the surgery, advise in advance.

8) The use of Arnica may be done to avoid purple spots. It must be started a week to ten days before the surgery. Get an evaluation with the doctor to get orientation on medicines to be taken before the surgery that are important for the balance of the organism, to get a better recovery.

Care:

1) Fasting of at least 6 hours before the surgery.

2) Medication for hypertension and other diseases must be informed for orientation.

3) Don’t take medication that contains acetyl salicylic acid (ex. AAS, Rhonal, Bufferin, Aspirin), one week before and a week after the surgery, because it increases the bleeding.

4) Stop all the appetite repressing medicine 15 days before the surgery.

5) Don’t smoke 15 days before and 15 days after the surgery. Why not make the decision to stop smoking?

After the surgery:

1) Pain: It’s not significant, but the sensibility is individual.

2) Hospital time: Generally, from 24 to 48 hours.

3) First dressings: Dressing with a bandage soon after the surgery, which will be changed the first day and will remain for 15 days. Besides, it’s mandatory the use of the girdle over the dressing.

4) Posture: Walk as straight as possible.

5) Bathing: Shower, 24 hours after leaving the hospital. Dry the micropore with the hair dryer.

6) Clothes:Try to wear loose clothes that are not tight in the abdomen region.

7) Food: Normal. Avoid drinks that contain gas and eat smaller amounts.

8) Physical efforts: Do not drive nor lift weights for one month. Exercising and swimming after four months. Progressive walking may be started after one month. Avoid high heels.

9) Stitch removal: The stitches are internal and absorbed by the organism; they do not need to be removed.

10) Intercourse: After three weeks, moderate intercourse.

11) Dressings after leaving the hospital: Use of micropore 50 mm during two months, changing once a week.

12) ModelaPain: Constant use, day and night, during two months.

13) Sun: Expose the Abdomen to the sun only after one month.

14) Massage: A mild massage for lymphatic drainage is recommended during 2 months, for it helps the recovery decreasing the edema faster.

15) Sensibility: Normally, there is a little sensibility in the region. The recovery is gradual, and a small area may remain less sensitive.

Will this disappear?

Every surgery involves a specific recovery time. Be patient, because your organism will take care of small problems that will inevitably call attention of somebody who will ask: "Will this disappear?" Always share with us any type of worry. We will give all the explanations necessary for your tranquility.

Final Result:

During the first four months after the surgery, the region will be a little swollen. There will be a gradual accommodation of the organic tissues.
The scar will be redder and harder at the beginning, but will pale and thin with time. This process is slow and may take several months. However, it’s impossible to predict the result exactly, since the process does not depend only on the technique used and of the care taken after the surgery, but also on individual factors.
After the first four months, a new evaluation is done and a new picture is taken to compare the area before and after the surgery. If this evaluation indicates the need of a retouching, procedure considered common in plastic surgery, it will be done after the 6th month and at the most 10 months after the surgery.