
Abdominoplasty or lipectomy is a complex surgical procedure to reconstruct the abdominal wall that is generally combined with liposuction. Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and fat and tightens the abdominal wall muscles associated with the navel reconstruction (umbilicoplasty). This improves the abdominal and trunk body contour.
AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A TUMMY TUCK?

Generally, women and men who present skin flaccidity at the abdominal wall, associated with fatty deposits, can benefit from this surgery.
You are a good candidate if:
- Presents excess skin or hanging skin at the abdominal level.
- His abdomen bulges out of proportion to the rest of his body.
- You have flaccidity and weakness in your abdominal muscle wall.
- You have excess fatty tissue located at the abdominal level.
After pregnancy and when losing weight, it is common to have flaccidity, fat accumulation around the waist, stretch marks and excess skin. Suppose you have not yet been pregnant and have some of these alterations. In that case, you should discuss carefully with your surgeon if you are a candidate for a tummy tuck because pregnancy after this surgery will affect the aesthetic appearance achieved.
HOW IS THE SURGERY PERFORMED?

The procedure is performed in the operating room and under general anesthesia. Usually, a horizontal incision is made in the pubic area, extending laterally towards the pelvic area; the length of it depends on the amount of skin to be dried; as far as possible, it is tried that the scar is hidden under underwear or bathing suit.
After the incision, the skin is separated from the muscular components of the abdomen to the area below the ribs. The muscle plication or tensing of the muscles is performed towards the midline, giving firmness to this area and redefining the waist in the case of women. The skin is stretched towards the pubis, removing the excess skin. Achieving this requires placing the navel in the new position. Sutures are made to maintain the new position of the tissues.
RECOVERY
Abdominoplasty can be performed as a single procedure or combined with other types of surgeries such as liposuction, lipo injection, breast surgery, and facial surgery. When the surgery is combined, in most cases, you remain under observation or hospitalization in the clinic during the first night after surgery; the next day, if everything goes well, the pain is controlled, it has acquired a little mobility, the bandages are dry, the scars look adequate, it is possible to be discharged to the residence or place where the postoperative period will be spent, generally with pressure garments (girdles), compression stockings for the legs and prescribed medication, which may include oral medications or advanced intravenous analgesia devices that are typically defined and installed by the anesthesia and nursing team.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS Q&A.

- Pain: Post-procedure pain is mild and controlled with the medications ordered. The analgesic pain pump is commonly used in this surgery for postoperative pain control, installed by the nursing team with the support of the anesthesiologist and outpatient follow-up for 2 to 3 days.
- Inflammation: progressively decreases as postoperative lymphatic drainage is performed; in some cases, it can be accompanied by massages, this is defined according to the characteristics of the scars. It is essential to carefully follow the postoperative indications and recommendations given by the surgeon for a comfortable postoperative period after surgery.
- Return to activities: The patient is recommended to keep a relative rest of at least 7 to 14 days before returning to their daily activities, which will be done progressively.
- Exercise: from the immediate postoperative period, patients are encouraged to start with short walks in the room and maintain mobility; this significantly reduces the risk of serious complications such as thrombosis. This exercise progressively increases in duration and intensity; the goal is that after 3 or 4 weeks, you will do aerobic exercise without impact and restrictions. It is advisable to wait two to three months after surgery to perform intense and impact physical exercises such as weights, soccer, basketball, etc.
- Stitch removal: Usually, the incision is sutured with absorbable material, so it is not necessary to remove stitches; in some places, such as the navel, it is required to remove some sutures one to two weeks after surgery.
RESULTS
They are visible immediately after surgery. However, the result is achieved after 3 to 6 months, when the tissues finish reducing inflammation, and the skin adheres to its new position.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Do not do activities like lifting weights, going to the gym, or jogging for the first month.
- Take the medications at the indicated time, and do not suspend or skip any medication.
- Keep in mind that the results of the lipo abdominoplasty are progressive and are seen after three months, depending on the ability to reduce inflammation and healing of everyone.
- If you have exaggerated pain, vomiting, fever, or respiratory distress, you should go to the emergency room and contact the surgeon immediately.
- You may present swelling of the hands and feet, a consequence of your position in the operating room, which will disappear in the postoperative period.