DEFINITION
Abdominoplasty is a body contour surgery that gets rid of excess skin in the abdominal area, leaving a flat stomach. That is how it has been typically defined, but in recent years it has drastically evolved, becoming a surgery that radically changes the patient’s body, being the basis of body contour surgery, but not the only surgery that is done to achieve a more streamlined figure.
Nowadays, in body contour surgery, it is imperative to use several techniques at once to achieve great results. Specialization and experience in such techniques are required to achieve refined results that match the patient’s expectations.
PROCEDURE
This surgery consists of the skin adaptation to the patient’s real contour, therefore it requires getting rid of all excess skin and fat in the abdominal area, flanks and back. To this end it requires the combination of liposculpture, buttock augmentation and abdominoplasty.
The scar is generally located in the lower pubic area, remaining hidden beneath underwear being very similar to a cesarean, but exteded to the flanks to remove all of the excess skin. From this approach, an internal job will be carried out to repair and narrow the abdominal wall, known as plication. In our case, Dr. Ospina will perform a Colombian corsetoplasty with muscle definition. This also achieves the narrowing of the patient’s waist. Abdominoplasty can be also combined with liposculpture for a thinner abdomen. On the other hand, in the back area, a liposculpture is often performed while combined with a buttock augmentation to improve the overall patient’s shape, thus completing a 360 degrees job.
PROFESSIONALS
Conducting these interventions require a plastic surgeon with experience in body contour surgery. Dr. Ospina has an extense training in his homeland Colombia about this type of intervention, which is regularly done, and it enables him to achieve above average results.
This type of intervention requires an important physical effort and maintaining high concentration levels for several hours, and this is the reason why Dr. Ospina physically trains to keep fit an be able to develop such technique, also utilising new technologies that reduce fatigue and allow him to improve results.
FACILITIES
This type of intervention must be performed in a hospital that complies with all the sanitary requirements, and also have an Intensive Care Unit. Plastic surgery is a very regulated surgery and with few complications, but in case they would appear, it is imperative to have the support of a good hospital. Therefore low-cost surgeries save on this and they are performed in small clinics where these safety conditions are not met.
Dr. Ospina is fully aware of this, and that is why he performs all his surgeries in theaters at Hospitales San Roque, as it provides him with this additional safety that he wants for his patients.
RECOVERY
Abdominoplasty requires 3 to 4 weeks for a complete recovery and a return to work, but during that period, patients can do a normal daily life without straining.
Drainages are generally used, and they are removed a few days after the surgery. At the same time, a compression garment should be used during the first weeks to help keep swelling down and the skin readjusts sooner.
Intense physical activity can be resumed after a month, progressively.
CARE
After surgery, it is important to care for the scar so it has the best possible quality. For this reason, we provide all our patients with detailed care protocols. Additionally, we perform laser therapy when needed to improve even more its quality and make it unnoticeable.
During the first weeks, linfatic draining massages and adjuvant therapies are essential. That’s why we have a trustworthy team and experienced physiotherapysts, who will maximise your surgery’s results.
CANDIDATES
For this type of surgery, one should be in good health, not having chronic illnesses such as cardiac insufficiency or lung failure, having a Body Mass Index lower than 30 and be a non-smoker. For female patients, it is necessary to finish the breastfeeding period at least 6 months before the intervention and not planning to have more children so the results of the surgery can last with time.
