Abdominoplasty - Abdominal surgery
WHAT IS AN ABDOMINOPLASTY?
An abdominoplasty is an aesthetic surgical procedure recommended when the abdomen is lacking tone and is performed when the patient desires a slim figure. This type of operation removes excess skin and fat from the upper and lower part of the abdomen and tightens the muscles in the abdominal wall, thereby improving the appearance of a flaccid belly.
WHO IS THIS PROCEDURE FOR?
Abdominoplasties are especially requested by women who, due to ageing, one or more pregnancies, drastic weight loss or previous abdominal surgery, have significant accumulated fat on the abdomen or excessively relaxed abdominal wall muscles and loss of skin elasticity which cannot be improved with dieting or exercise. When meeting his patients, Prof. Dini is always sure to stress that an abdominoplasty never replaces a healthy diet and a balanced lifestyle in which exercise is absolutely necessary. For this reason, overweight patients are advised to reach their ideal weight before undergoing the operation.
WHAT DOES THE PRE-OPERATIVE VISIT ENTAIL?
The pre-operative visit is necessary so the professor can understand the patient's medical history, ensuring that the patient is in good health and can undergo the procedure. Health issues must exclude coagulation, scarring and high blood pressure which can affect the final results of the operation. The pre-operative visit also allows the patient to decide with the surgeon which procedure is most suitable: a simple liposcution or lipostructure may be sufficent should the patient have good muscle tone and skin elasticity and if the patient wishes to remove accumulated fat that is localised only in the abdominal region. If the fat deposits and excess skin are limited to the area below the navel, a less complicated procedure called a mini abdominoplasty can be performed. If, however, there is excess fat in the upper part of the abdomen and on the hips, a total abdominoplasty is required, sometimes combined with liposuction. Finally, if fat deposits and excess skin are present not only on the front of the abdomen and hips but also on the back (usually due to pathological obesity), a circumferential abdominoplasty will be required.
WHAT DOES THE PRE-OPERATIVE VISIT ENTAIL?
An abdominoplasty is a relatively painful procedure that can take from one to three hours. It is usually performed under general anaesthesia and the patient stays at the clinic for two days. Less complex procedures like small abdominoplasties, mini abdominoplasties or minimal liposuction are done as outpatient procedures under local or local regional anaesthesia.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN POST-OPERATIVE RECOVERY?
To prevent any type of complications, Prof. Dini advises his patients to rest with their legs bent and back supported for 48 hours after the procedure and to wear a compression vest and socks for about 30 days. The patients can go back to normal daily activity, avoiding any strain, starting from the third day after the procedure and they can start exercising four weeks after the surgery.
