Abdominoplasty is a surgical intervention aimed at removing all excess subcutaneous fat and skin, as well as tightening all the muscles in the abdominal cavity. The operation is complicated and requires a long post-rehabilitation period.

Abdominal plastic surgery after childbirth or after weight loss can be performed in a number of ways. To date , there are such types of procedures:

• Endoscopic – used for slight sagging of the abdomen associated with weakening of the abdominal muscles. Most often they are young girls. Surgical intervention is performed using an endoscope, which is inserted into the umbilical region. Additionally, several small punctures are made in the bikini area.
• Mini-abdominoplasty is performed when minor removal of adipose tissue and skin is necessary. It is used for patients with problems after childbirth (diastasis, hernias) and for people without excess fat, but with sagging skin. The main incision is made in the bikini area. In the presence of a cesarean section scar, an incision is made along its contour. The navel remains in its place, unchanged.
• The average one is performed if the skin is stretched and hangs like an apron, but the patient does not need large-scale abdominoplasty. It is often called apronectomy, which literally means "apron removal".
• Reversible - used to correct the abdomen with sagging abdomen and pectoral muscles. It is often used for rapid weight loss. Correction of the thoracic and abdominal walls must be performed in parallel. This combination allows you to tighten the chest and perform abdominal plastic surgery, while hiding the scar under the breast.
• Vertical - used in case of a vertical scar on the abdomen from a previous operation. It is also recommended when you need to remove a large amount of fat in the lateral, lower and central areas of the abdomen. It is also effective in eliminating the problem of pronounced divergence of the abdominal muscles.
• Side – used to form the waist and give the necessary contour. Incisions are made in the lateral areas of the trunk.
• Abdominoplasty using liposuction. Most often performed in parallel with operations performed on the anterior abdominal wall. Fat deposits are extracted through micro-incisions by using cannulas. These devices look like a needle through which fat is sucked out. Damage to the skin is minimal. The number of stretch marks in the abdominal area does not decrease. The procedure is contraindicated in case of sagging abdominal tissues, with a large amount of inelastic skin and in case of divergence of abdominal muscles.
• Bodylifting - used to adjust body shapes. It is very often applied to people who have lost too much weight or have circular sagging of the skin. The doctor performs small incisions around the circumference of the entire body, while eliminating fat and skin excess. In parallel with this, a lift of the pubic area, buttocks and upper thighs is performed.

The main direction of abdominoplasty is the elimination of visual defects caused by a number of factors. For cosmetic purposes, it is a tightening of the abdominal muscles, giving it a flat and attractive appearance, for therapeutic purposes, it is the removal of abdominal hernias and preventing their further formation.

A slight weight gain or a slight excess weight, this is not a reason to go under the knife. There are a number of more gentle procedures, such as fitness, diet or liposuction. But it happens that it is the only solution to problems. Abdominoplasty before and after performance has a number of indications and contraindications.

This operation is assigned in the following cases:

• with excess fat, which cannot be eliminated by conservative methods (diet, fitness, training);
• if it is necessary to perform deep correction of postoperative scars or scars;
• in the presence of a skin-fat apron, too flabby sagging skin, the elasticity of which cannot be restored naturally;
• with the divergence of the rectus abdominis muscles with strongly stretched skin, especially in the case of hernias in the white line of the abdomen.

Contraindications for performing abdominoplasty are:

• any diseases of the heart or cardiovascular system;
• thyroid diseases and diabetes mellitus of any stage;
• Blood clotting disorder (too thin or thick blood);
• chronic connective tissue diseases (lupus erythematosus, hemorrhagic vasculitis, etc.);
• heart or lung failure of any form and complexity;
• chronic diseases that are in the stage of exacerbation. In such a situation, it is necessary to deal with the problem and undergo a course of treatment, and only then proceed to the abdominoplasty procedure.

It is important to note that doctors do not recommend performing abdominoplasty for young women who are planning a pregnancy in the future, since very often it reduces all the results of the operation to zero. Repeated procedure is not recommended, it can lead to a number of serious consequences. A few months before the scheduled operation, it is necessary to give up all bad habits, switch to an active lifestyle and adjust nutrition.

It is necessary to adhere to certain recommendations before surgery, regardless of how much the cost of tummy tuck is. It is advisable to perform this procedure in the middle of the menstrual cycle. 2-3 weeks before the appointed date, you should follow the diet recommended by your doctor, which will help reduce weight and cleanse the intestines of excess food.

The intake of fast (simple) carbohydrates and products that increase gas formation (sausage, soda, sugar, flour products, legumes, cabbage, etc.) is excluded from the diet or minimized as much as possible. To reduce the volume of the intestine, they switch to fractional nutrition – 4-5 meals of a small amount of food. During the day, drink at least 2 liters of clean water. After 8 pm, it is advisable to refuse to eat or eat only easily digestible foods – low-fat cottage cheese, fish, stewed vegetables.

14 days before the scheduled operation, the doctor may prescribe vascular strengthening drugs. With a large volume of surgery, a vascular surgeon can be consulted. Tobacco products should be abandoned 7 days before the procedure, as nicotine significantly slows down wound healing. In addition, it is necessary to exclude the intake of alcohol and other pharmaceutical drugs that affect blood clotting.

In addition to the above, the doctor prescribes a number of drugs aimed at normalizing the intestinal microflora. It is also advisable to start doing light physical exercises and exercise. In the absence of contraindications, it is recommended to take a bath at least once a week. To improve the lymph flow, a special massage and wrapping is prescribed.

A light dinner is recommended on the eve of the operation. Before going to bed and in the morning, you should take sedatives, such as tincture of motherwort or valerian. After twelve at night, it is forbidden to eat any food except water. In the morning, you should take a hygienic shower and make a cleansing enema. You also need to take documents and compression underwear.

Performing abdominoplasty involves the use of general, combined or endobronchial anesthesia. In extremely rare cases, regional anesthesia (spinal) may be used. The duration of the surgical intervention depends on the volume of the problem. Performing abdominoplasty involves several stages.

The first stage is the separation of the skin flap with adipose tissue from the ribs to the navel, including the umbilical region. After that, hernias and muscle divergence are removed, unnecessary fat deposits and skin are removed. Next, the surgeon pulls the tissues of the upper abdomen, moves the navel to a new place and sews the incision site.

Stomach skin removal surgery also involves a recovery period. Rehabilitation begins immediately after leaving anesthesia. If you want your stomach to look perfect in a couple of months and there are no complications, then you need to follow all the doctor`s recommendations.

The first couple of weeks it is necessary to take painkillers, as pain and tension in the abdominal area are inevitable. It is important to understand this and you should prepare for it mentally.

For the first three to six days, the patient will be forced to stay on the bed in a position where the head and legs are slightly raised. But, at the same time, you should move a little so that blood clots do not form in the legs. It is recommended to perform light movements and sit down slightly 4-6 hours after the operation. The patient spends the first couple of days before the drainage is removed at the day hospital, and after that she is discharged home. Tummy tuck before and after will be fairly different.

Compression stockings worn before surgery must be worn for at least 5 days. Compression underwear, dressed after suturing – at least 5-6 weeks, and if necessary, longer (according to the doctor`s decision).

The removal of stitches occurs on the 10th- 14th day. After that, silicone ointments or bandages should be applied to the suture area, contributing to the formation of an inconspicuous and thin scar. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is categorically contraindicated, otherwise the wound can heal much longer.

Following the correct regime is also important. Any physical activity is strictly prohibited for six months after surgery. Medical procedures are an exception. Physical therapy can be done 6 weeks after the procedure. The presence of a compression belt is a prerequisite for performing exercises.

Taking a shower is allowed after removing the seams. The incision site should be washed with warm water and soap. The use of a washcloth is prohibited. After water procedures, the seam is soaked with a soft cloth and covered with a silicone pad. Taking a bath is allowed at least after 2 months, baths - after 6 months. Bumps and bumps after surgery for up to six months are normal. The obvious result is visible only after this period of time.

Painful sensations, swelling and redness in the postoperative period are the norm. If you find that the skin is too red, the swelling has increased, the seams have parted or the temperature has risen – contact your doctor immediately. With professionally performed surgery, complications are extremely rare. Most often there is bleeding or infection, sometimes there are hematomas that are surgically removed. Therefore, when choosing a doctor, it is important to remember that abdominoplasty, the question, “how much does a tummy tuck cost”, can be answered differently in each clinic, is not an indicator. The main thing to pay attention to is the professionalism of the doctor and the patient`s feedback about him.

It is important to understand that problems with the appearance of the abdomen are not always aesthetic in nature. The deformity may be caused by a divergence of the abdominal muscles or a hernia. Therefore, in order not to make the situation critical, doctors recommend contacting when the first deviations are detected. After all, the smaller the problem, the easier it is to solve.