Many people are troubled by an excessively large abdomen that is disproportionate to their overall figure. The cause of this condition may be loose skin or weakened muscles due to significant weight loss, after pregnancy, or due to the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles and the relaxation of the abdominal wall. Abdominoplasty can be a significant help in these cases. The surgery involves removing excess fat and skin and tightening the abdominal muscles.
Both men and women can undergo abdominal plastic surgery. The most common candidates are women after multiple pregnancies, where repeated weight changes and hormonal influences have led to the relaxation of the abdominal muscles and sagging skin in the abdominal area. It does not solve the problem of "beer belly" in men, as in this case, the fat is stored in the abdominal cavity, not in the subcutaneous area.
However, abdominoplasty is not suitable for very obese people. They are advised to first lose a significant portion of their weight and only then proceed with corrective surgery. The same applies to women who plan to have more pregnancies. In such cases, the surgery should be performed at least 1 year after childbirth to give the body enough time to regenerate. Abdominoplasty is not an obstacle to future pregnancies and childbirth.
Basic Information
- The procedure is performed under general anesthesia
- During the first few days after surgery, the patient has their abdomen bandaged with a compression belt and must expect pain when changing body positions, breathing deeply, or coughing
- Since significant changes occur in the abdominal cavity during surgery, it is not advisable to burden the digestive system with heavy and unsuitable foods until the body gets used to the new arrangement
- Postoperative care includes caring for scars, swelling, or bruises, for which your surgeon will recommend suitable remedies
- Returning to daily activities and work is possible at the earliest 2 weeks after surgery, provided the patient has a physically undemanding job. Otherwise, the recovery period should be extended to at least 4 weeks.