Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure intended to remove excess skin and fatty tissue. It is usually carried out after a significant weight loss, when the patient initially gained quite a number of kilograms, the skin was stretched, and then he/she got rid of body fat. It does not matter how exactly the weight loss occurred: liposuction was performed or the person switched to proper nutrition with daily workouts. Stretched skin itself after obesity cannot go anywhere. Having surgery is the only way to remove it and be able to reveal own body again on the beach, wear a swimsuit, and sunbathe.

The Clinic of Dr. Chornomyz: Innovative Plastic Surgery Center in Kyiv

Up to now, plastic surgery scares many Ukrainians, because for a long time it has not been available to a wide audience. At present, the cost of surgical correction of physical defects is acceptable, and in Ukraine there are medical centers which are not inferior but often surpass European ones in terms of the quality of services provided. The clinic in Kyiv created by the plastic surgeon, Olexandr Chornomyz, adheres to strict standards, the latest techniques and innovative protocols are used when performing surgeries. However, here delicate care awaits you – the patient, his/her emotions, experiences and pains are always in the focus. All staff do their utmost to make you feel comfortable physically and emotionally. An additional bonus is Ukrainian prices, they are much lower than abroad.

Indications

This surgery is quite complicated, so it is done only if conservative treatment is impossible and there are 100% indications to surgical intervention. The main indications for abdominoplasty include as follows:

the presence of skin-fat folds on the abdomen. After a drastic weight loss, the skin that has lost its tonus sags and forms the so-called “skin apron,” restoring the shape of the abdomen is not possible without surgery;
evident striae, i.e., strong stretch marks. With a sudden skin stretching, microcracks appear in areas where the dermis is stretched as much as possible. Often this is due to a rapid weight gain, during pregnancy, there is a genetic tendency to the appearance of stretch marks;
scars left from previous surgeries;
muscular diastasis of the anterior wall of the peritoneum when the muscles lose their tone and diverge. In this case, a change in the waist shape is also often observed – it blurs, an elegant silhouette is being lost.
umbilical or inguinal hernia.

Tummy tuck: Advantages of the Surgical Method

With a drastic weight loss (15 kilograms or more), skin tissues form folds. They do not look very aesthetical but it is impossible to eliminate them using conservative methods, sports or massage, and cosmetics. The only option is surgical removal. Abdominoplasty is often required after pregnancy. The skin on the anterior wall of the peritoneum sags and loses its tonus. In addition to a non-aesthetic appearance, flabbiness of the skin results in appearing diaper rash, and most importantly, it creates an increased load on the spine, which is fraught with serious health problems.

Talking about the advantages of the surgical method is not entirely correct. Here it comes to the fact that in most cases there are simply no alternatives to abdominoplasty.

Contraindications to Abdominoplasty

At the same time, there are a number of contraindications, in case of which the surgery will be unfeasible. They include:

diabetes mellitus;
obesity. Abdominoplasty shall be performed after losing weight;

blood diseases that violate the rate of coagulation;
heart failure;
scars in the area above the navel;
infectious diseases.

The operation shall not be performed for pregnant women, as well as for women during their critical days. Abdominoplasty shall be done only for adult patients.

Features of the Operation

There are several types of abdominoplasty, each involves its own plan of action for the surgeon. Consider the main ones briefly:

Endoscopic procedure. Minimally invasive, suitable in case of a slight divergence of the muscles of the peritoneum while maintaining skin tonus. The surgeon makes 2 incisions, introduces instruments into the cavity, and performs correction of the muscular corset. As for time, it takes less than two hours;
Miniabdominoplasty. A sparing surgery used for slight sagging of skin, stretch marks, umbilical or muscular hernia. The surgeon cuts the skin along the line of the fold, excises the skin-fat folds, removes hernias (if any). It may be combined with liposuction. The surgery is carried out under general anesthesia and takes up to 2 hours;
Complete abdominoplasty. A complex surgery in which large skin and fat folds are excised, hernias are removed, the muscular corset is strengthened, the waist is reshaped, and the navel is moved. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and takes 3 to 4 hours.

Postoperative Care

Rehabilitation depends on the complexity of the procedures, but usually it is needed to stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days (more, in case of a complete plasty in which the drainage should be removed). Hematomas and swelling may remain on the abdomen, they disappear within a week. For several weeks, it is necessary to wear compression underwear and avoid hot baths and saunas. Sports will have to be postponed for 1.5 to 2 months.