Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at correcting slack abdominal muscles as well as skin accumulation, both proof of damage resulting from a major variation or loss in weight.
Contrary to popular belief, abdominoplasty is not a surgery meant for people suffering from obesity, but rather for people whose weight is stable and does not exceed 15% of the normal weight of a healthy person.
Several techniques are available when performing abdominoplasty. The outcome of both the medical exam and careful study of the patient's physiology help determine the quantity of excess fat and skin, the presence of stretch marks or scars and the tonus of the abdominal wall muscles. Thus, a diagnosis can be made in order to know exactly which surgical procedure will be needed.
Traditional abdominoplasty consists of making incisions around the umbilicus (navel) and across the lower abdomen, so that the skin can be lifted up (Figure 1a). Then, during the second stage, the abdominal muscles are tightened by plication (permanent sutures) that give more tonus (Figure 1b). Finally, all that remains to be done is to pull down the skin and to remove the extra skin (Figure 1c). The incisions are located around the umbilicus and across the lower abdomen following the underwear line (Figure 1d).
The "mini" version allows for the removal of excess fat and skin as well as the restructuring of abdominal muscles (Figure 2a) without, however, umbilicus disinsertion. The incision, much shorter than the one in traditional abdominoplasty, is made above the pubic area (Figure 2b).
This technique can be applied if the patient presents only a small amount of excess skin in the lower abdominal area.
The abdominoplasty is done under general anaesthesia. The duration of the operation depends largely on the technique used. In general, the surgery lasts 2 to 3 hours.
