Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty

It is a surgical procedure that aims to eliminate skin excess, flaccidity, reduce size and give a better form to the abdominal contour. By means of this procedure it is eliminated in a rational way the skin excess, grooves and fatty tissue of the abdominal area. Suitable mainly in patients that present excess and flaccidity of the skin accompanied by accumulation of fat in the middle and lower region of the abdomen. The best candidates for this surgery are the patients with a relatively normal weight but that have weakness of the abdominal muscles and a moderate skin excess and fat. The abdominoplastia is not a substitute for wieght reduction , but frequently, the diet and the exercise cannot correct certain conditions as the stretching of the muscles and the skin often caused by multiple pregnancies. Although the surgery doesn't contraindicate further pregnancies, it is important to observe that you can loose the results of this surgery with a later pregnancy.

Pre-Surgical Evaluation:

In this evaluation the surgeon will explain specificly and detailedly his case, including the surgical technique to be used, anesthesia type, and the real results that can be obtained. In this evaluation your expectations about the surgical procedure should be discussed.

Zone manipulated by the abdominoplasty.

Pre-surgical Recommendations

Do not take medications that contain aspirin two weeks previous to the surgery.
Avoid smoking two weeks before the surgery.
Don´t shave or apply any kind of wash the day previous to the surgery.
Do not wear any makeup nor painted fingernails the day of the surgery.
Use a prescribed soap, for the daily bath.
Do not apply any type of creams.
Do not eat nor drink anything eight (8) hours before the surgery.
Do not to take any medication the day of the surgery, unless it is one prescribed by the doctor.
Bring with you the abdominal bandage, previously made for the patient.

Surgical procedure

Typical procedure carried out to remove the excess skin and abdominal fat, as well as to reinforce the abdominal musculatory structure.

It can be carried out with conductive anestesia or general anesthesia, with a duration on the average of three to four hours, in some selected cases you can combine this procedure with another one like liposuction of some other areas of the body.

The most frequently used technique bears a transverse incision through the inferior abdomen above the pubic area. The neighboring skin to the bellybutton is mobilized by a second incision. The doctor separates the skin of the muscular wall and then rises it above the ribs. The abdominal muscles are sutured together to provide stability to the abdominal wall and to mark the waist.

Scar produced by the abdominoplasty procedure.

Post-surgical

Depends on each case, ideally the patient should remain 24 hours hospitalized.
Rest moderately the first three days, with the legs bent (you can use pillows under the legs), remember that it is important to walk the same day of the surgery.
The bandage should be worn permanently until its doctor indicates it.
The initial diet (first day) is soft: vegetable soup, cookies, puree, jello, cereal.
Place ice permanently on the abdomen during five (5) days.
Take the drug according to medical prescription.
Begin moderate exercises fifteen days after the operation and maximum effort excersise five (5) and six (6) weeks after the surgery.
The numbness sensation in the skin is normal and he/she will recover gradually.
The scar of the abdomen is permanent; after three (3) to six (6) months it will smooth out,clarify and will show a remarkable improvement.

Possible Complications

Although it is a surgery that is performed frequently, it is of the Plastic Surgeries the one that more local complications could present

Infections and bleeding is very rare.
Accumulation of liquids (seromes) under the skin can appear and must be extracted; these they don't affect the result of the surgery.
The inadequate scaring that gives a notorious scar as a result, could later need a surgical revision.
Smokers should know that nicotine slows the scaring process.

Time needed to remain in Cali.

8 to 10 days.

MINI-ABDOMINOPLASTY

It is a surgical procedure that can be carried out in an isolated form or like complement of other procedures like liposuction

Suitable for the following patients:

Patients that have some redundancy and flaccidity of the skin between the navel and the pubic region.
A good skin and little to absent flaccidity above the navel.
Moderate accumulation of fat in the whole abdominal region.
A relaxation of the abdominal muscles that produce a belly appearance in the inferior abdominal region.

In the mini-abdominoplasty the fat of the whole abdominal region is removed, the abdominal muscles are repositioned by means of sutures, and the excesses of skin in abdominal region is removed by means of a Caesarean scar type from about 14 to 20 centimeters; the larger quantity of retired skin, the bigger the scar will be.

Contact Dr. Bernardo Camacho right now to get more information!

Before-and-after cosmetic surgery photos

Contact Dr. Bernardo Camacho for more information!