Tightening abdominal skin: everything you need to know about abdominoplasty

Have you successfully lost weight, but despite your core strengthening efforts, your abdominal skin remains loose? This is perfectly normal. Excess skin does not always retract on its own following significant weight loss, pregnancy, or a loss of skin elasticity due to aging. Skin is elastic by nature, so it stretches easily, but it often takes longer to retract. And while this is a common issue, it can become a source of discomfort and insecurity in daily life. You may experience chafing, find it difficult to get dressed, or avoid wearing a swimsuit. In such cases, abdominoplasty is recommended to restore a smoother appearance to the abdomen. This cosmetic surgery procedure is designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area to tighten the skin and restore contour. Here is everything you need to know about abdominoplasty.

The different types of abdominoplasty

Depending on the desired outcome and criteria such as skin elasticity, the amount of fat, and muscle tone, several abdominoplasty techniques are available. Your plastic surgeon will present the options and determine the most suitable approach for your case. Here are the main options:

• Full abdominoplasty, or traditional abdominoplasty, is recommended for patients with a significant amount of skin that hangs over the pubic area, abdominal fat, and pronounced stretch marks or scarring. The surgeon will make two incisions, one between the hip bones and another around the navel, to tighten the muscles and remove the excess skin and fat. The navel will also be repositioned.
• Mini-abdominoplasty, also known as partial abdominoplasty, targets smaller amounts of skin or fat. The surgeon makes a small incision above the pubic area to remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen.
• Abdominoplasty can be combined with liposuction. This is an effective solution if you wish to refine your silhouette and have an excess of fat in the abdominal region. These two procedures are generally not performed simultaneously. Liposuction is typically done first, followed by abdominoplasty.
• Circular abdominoplasty is less common. It is performed when a patient has excess skin all around the trunk, including the abdomen, flanks, and back, which creates prominent skin folds. In this case, the scar will be longer and run in a circular pattern around the waist.

The right candidate for abdominoplasty

To undergo abdominoplasty, you must be of legal age and have completed physical development. The procedure is usually indicated when the abdominal skin and muscles have loosened with age, after pregnancy, or following major weight loss. A lack of skin tone may prevent the abdomen from regaining its original shape.

It is also recommended to have a stable weight before undergoing this surgery. If you are still actively dieting or planning to lose weight, it is better to wait. In some cases, your doctor may recommend losing a few kilos beforehand, as this procedure is not suitable for patients with obesity.

The procedure should be performed on individuals in good general health. Your doctor will conduct a health assessment to ensure you are fit for surgery. You will be asked about your current medications to rule out any contraindications. You will also need to undergo a blood test and schedule a consultation with the anesthesiologist before the procedure.

How the abdominoplasty procedure is performed

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and lasts between 2 and 5 hours, depending on the chosen technique. The surgeon will begin by making the necessary incisions. They will then remove the excess skin and fat from the front of the body. If required, the incisions may extend to the flanks or even the back. Once complete, the surgeon will close the incisions with sutures, and you will be transferred to the recovery room.

After the procedure, you will need to wear a compression garment for at least three weeks. Physical activity should be limited, and sports should be avoided for six weeks. You may experience pain and swelling in the abdominal area. On average, recovery time off work ranges from two to four weeks.

You will have several post-operative follow-up appointments with your surgeon: six weeks after the procedure, then at three months, six months, and one year. These follow-up consultations allow for monitoring your progress, observing the initial results, and performing minor adjustments if necessary.

Tightening abdominal skin: abdominoplasty scarring

Following abdominoplasty, a scar is inevitable. This is a concern for some patients. The size and location of the scar depend on the chosen technique, but it is typically placed along the upper pubic area or in natural body folds. It will always be possible to conceal it under underwear or swimwear.

Your surgeon will always strive to make the scar as thin and discreet as possible. However, it is important to know that in some cases, scars may become hypertrophic or keloid. This is a skin response that cannot be predicted in advance. Nonetheless, your surgeon may provide treatments to minimize the risk of poor scarring or perform surgical revision a few months later.

Abdominoplasty is a suitable option if you feel self-conscious about excess abdominal skin. After the procedure, you can enjoy a more harmonious figure and relieve discomfort associated with redundant skin.

To find out if this procedure is right for you, you can schedule an initial consultation with our physician at Brussels Surgical & Esthetic Center. They will provide personalized advice based on your case and explain all the details of the procedure.