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ABDOMINOPLASTY SURGERY:
Dermolipectomy, umbilical hernia and rectus abdominal diastasis

Summary of surgery

TIME

4-5h

ANAESTHESIA

General

HOSPITALISATION

2 nights

RECOVERY

2 weeks

Abdominoplasty video (with English subtitles)

There are three different reasons why our patients come to Clínica Sanza in Barcelona for abdominoplasty surgery. It is not always for a purely aesthetic reason, but can also be to solve different diseases that we will explain below:

  • The most common case, called dermolipectomy or abdomen lift, is usually for an aesthetic reason, to remove excess skin from the abdomen.
  • It can also be due to a malformation of the navel, a condition known as umbilical hernia.
  • Another cause may be due to problems in the abdominal musculature, this disease is called rectus abdominal diastasis.

Dermolipectomy or abdomen lift

The abdominoplasty surgery for cosmetic reasons consists basically in removing the excess skin of the abdomen to make the skin more tense, with no wrinkles but also to correct muscular flaccidity and weakness.

Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty

In certain cases of obesity, after losing a lot of weight, after a large liposuction or if we have poor skin quality, it may be necessary to remove this excess skin from the abdomen with plastic surgery. It does not depend on having had a lot or little obesity, it is only a question of the quality of the skin, which does not retract and does not stay in place.

It should not be confused with abdominal liposuction, in which normally once the fat has been aspirated, without touching the skin at all, or cutting it, or doing anything at all to it, the skin that is left over after the operation retracts on its own and remains perfect. The problem is that in some people this is not the case.

If you are confused or interested in more information about liposuction of the abdomen, you can find all the details in this link:

See section on abdomen liposuctions surgery

See article on differences between liposuction and abdominoplasty (includes youtube video explaining it)

Clínica Sanza in Barcelona is a center of reference for abdominoplasty surgery.

Umbilical hernia

A umbilical hernia happens when a part of the intestine protrudes through an opening produced between the abdominal muscles, close to the belly button. It is something common and normally treated as an aesthetic issue, although depending on the case it can cause pain in the muscles in the abdomen. Normally our patients want to solve the problem because it looks bad, especially in summertime and it can be seen when wearing a bathing suit.

Umbilical hernia
Umbilical hernia

Umbilical hernias are more common in babies than in adults. In babies for instance, they usually close on its own during the first two years, but sometimes they can last up to 5 years or more.

Umbilical cords in adults can hardly close on its own and you need a surgery to close the opening.

In adults the main cause is too much pressure on the abdomen due to different reasons:

  • Twin or multiple pregnancies
  • Obesity
  • A previous abdomen surgery
  • Having liquid in the abdominal cavity
  • Renal insufficiency that requires a peritoneal dialysis

Rectus abdominal diastasis

The muscles in the abdomen, the “famous” six-pack, has two muscles that go in a straight line from the chest to the genital area. Between these two muscles sometimes there is too much of a gap which is where the part of the intestine will protrude. The surgery of rectus abdominal diastasis consists in putting the intestine back in place and eliminate the intramuscular space, so the intestine does not come out again.

Rectus abdominal diastasis
Rectus abdominal diastasis

With a scan or ultrasound this problem can be easily checked.

The cause of having Rectus abdominal diastasis usually is

  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy

WHERE DO WE OPERATE?

At Clínica Sanza we rely on the Sagrat Cor Hospital, part of the Quirónsalud group, to perform our surgical procedures.
Its prestige, facilities, medical and healthcare staff, as well as its technology are a guarantee.

BARCELONA: A HEALTH HUB

Do you want to know why it is worth coming to Barcelona for plastic surgery and why so many people come from abroad?

WE ORGANIZE EVERYTHING FOR YOU

Your trip, your flight, your operation, your transfer and your hotel with our support agency. We work with the best travel agencies worldwide.

PATIENT’S PROFILE

People with muscular wall weakness and tiny retractable skin. People with pendulum abdomen that, after a diet, bariatric surgery or pregnancy, want to remove skin excess or emphasize the waist.

PROCEDURE

It is made with an incision on the suprapubic fold. The extension of itself is determined by the skin quantity and the flabbiness of abdominal musculature, the definition of the new waist line and the flatter abdomen. Generally speaking, the incision is perfectly hidden by the underwear. During the same intervention, a fallen or aged pubis can be elevated. Also a leg lifting is possible, improving the abdomen, legs and pubis. SURGERY DURATION

  • 3 hours.

PROTOCOL

Pre-surgery

  • Evaluation of the area to determine the adequacy of the treatment.
  • Follow specific patterns determined by the doctor.
  • Blood, cardiac and respiratory tests.

Anesthesia

  • Local and sedation, general or epidural depending on each case.

Hospitalization

  • 48 h hospitalization.

Post-surgery

  • Suture is usually reabsorbed; if rejected, they are removed within 15 days.
  • Medication is required.
  • Mandatory examinations after several days, several weeks and several months, according to prescription.

Convalescence

  • A week resting in a semi inclined position.
  • Abdominal corset during a month.
  • Physical exercise can be done after two weeks but in a gradual manner
  • Risk-taking sport can be done after a month.

RESULTS/OUTCOME

  • Flat abdomen.
  • Defined waist.
  • Smooth muscles and pubis if required.
  • Rejuvenated and improved appearance.
  • Improvement of the patient’s psychological profile and self-esteem.

Level of difficulty

  • Easy/medium intervention.

Risk level

  • Medium/low.
  • Own intervention risks: visible scarring.
  • General intervention risks: hemorrhage, infection, scarring alteration.

Do you know the difference between an abdominoplasty and a liposuction?

There are two similar things but it is not the same. If you don’t know the difference between one and the other we advise you to read this article.

BEFORE/AFTER PHOTOS

Before After
Before After
Before After
Before After
Before After
Before After
Before After
Before After

Whatever your case may be, do not hesitate in contacting us.

Clínica Sanza in Barcelona, Spain, quality service

Frequently asked questions about abdominoplasty surgery

Yes, abdominoplasty is the solution for “diastasis of the rectum” which is the laxity that remains in the abdomen after pregnancy, due to excess weight or family inheritance issues. During the operation, the rectus muscles of the abdomen are strengthened, thus restoring a flat abdomen at the same time as, if desired, refining the waist.
The extent of the scar depends on the problem that has to be solved and the appearance of it is also conditioned by the quality of skin of each patient, but in any case always leaves a scar perfectly disguised with underwear and swimsuit. Even if the scar is too visible or too wide, it can be touched up as little as possible to make them as imperceptible as possible. When there is a lot of excess skin, the scar will be longer than if the problem is only muscular.
Usually not, since it is usually small and is hidden inside the navel and therefore imperceptible, but sometimes you can see a small scar around the navel.
We usually suggest hospitalization for 24-48 hours. Afterwards, the patient can go home, always maintaining relative rest and following the instructions on posture and rest indicated by the surgeon. After surgery, you will need to wear compression garments for about 3 to 4 weeks. You can restart your daily activities after about a week or two. Sport and intense physical exercise up to 4 weeks after the abdominoplasty.
The postoperative pain of an abdominoplasty is totally tolerable and well controlled with the use of anti-inflammatory and analgesics, on the other hand if you respect the indications of rest and use the compressive bands in the correct way the discomfort will be minimal.
Each intervention has its own specific indications. Liposuction is indicated to decrease volume by removing fat without removing skin. Abdominoplasty apart from repairing the abdominal muscles we remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, occasionally abdominoplasty can be combined with liposuction of the flanks and back to optimize the final result. If the problem is only with accumulated fat, we recommend liposuction. If the problem is muscle strain or excess skin then an abdominoplasty is better.
 
It can vary depending on the length of the procedure and its complexity, although it can usually be performed with local anesthesia and sedation and on other occasions it may be necessary loco-regional or general anesthesia.
Stretch marks are a big problem for many patients. Depending on the distribution of the marks through the abdominal skin, all those below the navel can be removed.
Yes, they are completely removed, including vertical scars below the navel.
Most people who have suffered from obesity and then lost weight are often left with a residue of skin and fat in the abdomen. Fortunately, this condition can be corrected with an abdominal dermolipectomy, which is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, restoring the area and leaving the abdomen flat and reinforced.
Yes. The only situation is that the result obtained with the surgery could be lost, since it could yield the muscular wall again. But it doesn’t usually happen.
It is a similar operation but does not require a new navel and the horizontal scar is smaller.

It’s the same thing. Both techniques are synonymous.

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