ABDOMINOPLASTY
WHICH IS?
Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure to eliminate excess sagging skin and fat from the middle and lower part of the abdominal area.
To achieve greater efficacy in the final result of the surgery, the anterior rectus muscle of the abdomen is sutured. This is when the patient has abdominal diastasis (opening of the muscle as a result of the weakening and thinning of the linea alba). It usually occurs after pregnancy, due to stretching and separation of muscle and relaxin (hormone) levels.
Another less common case is when men are overweight, which increases intra-abdominal pressure and the opening of the rectum in the abdominal area.
WHY DOES ABDOMINAL FLACKNESS APPEAR?
Abdominal flaccidity occurs for several reasons, among them are: lack of physical exercise, constant weight gain and loss, overweight, sedentary lifestyle, and among women the most common factor is after pregnancy.
It is known that in the abdominal area it is very easy to accumulate fat and it is one of the most difficult areas to eliminate fat through physical exercise.
In the same way, over the years, the skin tends to sag in the face of gravity factors, this is observed through the excess of skin on the lower abdomen and also at the level of the navel.
Many people choose to have tummy tuck surgery because they feel their abdomen looks unsightly.
WHEN IS ABDOMINOPLASTY RECOMMENDED?
When sagging and excess skin limit physical activity, causing discomfort when dressing, or when it affects the patient psychologically due to feeling dissatisfied with their physical appearance.
WHEN IS THE IDEAL TIME TO PERFORM THIS PROCEDURE?
Initially, the recommendation is that the patient is as close as possible to their ideal weight, which facilitates the intervention, reduces the incidence of postoperative complications and increases the possibility of having a quick recovery.
Dermolipectomy will leave permanent scars, however, the aesthetic improvement will compensate for the sequelae of the scars.
Remember that the incisions are wide and occupy the lower abdomen. However, these marks can be mitigated by bikini or underwear.
CAN I LOSE WEIGHT BY PERFORMING THIS PROCEDURE?
This surgery is not a substitute for diet or physical exercise to reduce weight in case of obesity.
It is important to achieve weight loss that brings the patient closer to their ideal weight before performing the surgical intervention.
Abdominoplasty is a surgical technique that helps to define and improve the patient's silhouette. However, the person who decides to undergo this surgery must make a change in both eating habits and the adoption of physical exercises, otherwise, the results of the surgery will not last long.
DOES THIS TECHNIQUE LAST FOREVER?
This intervention can undergo changes (increase in weight or pregnancy) that force the patient to obtain excess skin due to the stretching that this undergoes when the elasticity limit is exceeded. Therefore, the result of this depends on several factors.
IS IT NECESSARY TO PUT A DRAIN?
The placement of drains will be necessary for 8 or 10 days and a dressing will be placed over the wound and an abdominal brace without too much compression so as not to damage the incision made.
The drains are intended to prevent the accumulation of blood and fluid below the wound, thus minimizing the risk of possible infection.
As for scars, everything depends on the care that the patient provides to them, as well as the phototype and quality of the patient's skin.
POST-OPERATIVE EVALUATION:
The postoperative evaluation varies from patient to patient, the type of healing, the level of pain and the pharmacological treatment indicated for the patient in question.
The patient, being in good condition, is discharged after 24 hours, informing him that he must walk for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 hours and you must wear an elastic stocking for 10/15 days.
At home, they must rest relatively, and may resume their normal activities until the third or fourth week after surgery.
The postoperative period is usually a little painful, therefore, abdominal efforts such as coughing can cause discomfort.
Pain can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs to have a more tolerable recovery.
It is recommended to wear elastic stockings on the legs to prevent the accumulation of blood in the legs, as well as to reduce the possibility of causing venous problems (deep vein thrombosis/thromboembolism).
As 2 drains are normally placed, they are removed between 7 to 10 days after surgery.
Most suture stitches are internal and do not need to be removed as they are absorbed by the body after a few weeks.
The external stitches performed in the navel are removed between the 7th and 15th day after abdominoplasty, as indicated by the doctor.
It is normal that during the first days or weeks there is swelling (edema) of the abdominal area, it is also common that in the lower abdomen area, there is loss of sensation, this is temporary and reversible.
SOME GUIDELINES OF THE PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT IN THE POST-OPERATIVE ABDOMINOPLASTY ARE:
Start lymphatic drainage (massage technique to activate the functioning of the superficial lymphatic system causing the elimination of interstitial fluid, facilitating its evacuation) soon after 10 days within the postoperative period, which will help to drain inflammation and favor healing . It is a technique well tolerated by the patient and with minimal risks.
Take short, slow walks for the first week to activate blood flow mobilization.
Remember that the use of the band must be permanent and will be removed to go to the bathroom only and when the doctor indicates, to take a shower and perform the respective lymphatic drainage.
The posture in bed during the first week will be lying on your back, with the trunk in semi flexion (using pillows angled at 30 degrees) and with the knees in semi flexion (placing pillows under the knees), both techniques are used to reduce the tension of the wounds.
You can perform gentle ankle mobilization exercises to improve circulation to the legs and help result in the drainage of inflammatory fluid.
The result of the abdominoplasty is progressive, taking an average of 4 to 6 months to observe a result similar to the definitive one.
