How is the procedure performed?

In normal abdominoplasty from an as short as possible horizontal incision in the anterior abdomen, below the level of the undergarment, the abdominal wall is detached up to well above the navel. Then, if necessary, the abdominal wall is strengthened with appropriate suture and the skin is mobilized down to come and be sutured so as to completely flatten the belly. The navel does not change position but remains exactly in the same height.

The surgery results in removing a large quantity of skin and fat from the abdomen and in strengthening the abdominal wall thus avoiding any future hernias. Therefore it may have an aesthetical and functional result. Postoperatively, patients wear a rubber binder supporting the abdominal wall and helps make the effect permanent.

By removing the excess tissue mentioned earlier abdominoplasty brings a unique change in the image of the body which after surgery looks much better and youthful. Besides the big belly affects how we are dressed and our attitude both in standing and in sitting position. Especially for patients who have undergone a bariatric surgery (balloon, gastric banding, gastric bypass) and have lost too many pounds, abdominoplasty is the only option to recover an aesthetically complete body.

It can be applied from the age of about 18 years, but usually targeted at older ages.

The duration of the surgery depends on the technique used. The return to work does not require more than a week to ten days depending always and the patient.