After major life events such as pregnancy or significant weight loss, achieving a flat and firm abdomen can seem impossible. Loose, sagging skin, stubborn fat deposits, and separated abdominal muscles can cause many people to lose confidence in their body shape. Don’t worry, abdominoplasty can help you regain a slim, smooth waistline in just one procedure. So, what exactly is abdominoplasty? Learn more in this detailed article.
What is abdominoplasty surgery?
Abdominoplasty is a major cosmetic surgery procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area while tightening loose abdominal muscles, especially the rectus abdominis. This procedure not only flattens the abdomen but also creates a more defined and firm waistline.
It is an ideal solution for those who have tried to lose weight but still struggle with sagging, wrinkled abdominal skin or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti) caused by pregnancy or rapid weight loss. The result is a flat, firm abdomen with long-lasting effects when combined with a proper diet and exercise routine.
Risks / Benefits
Like any major surgery, abdominoplasty comes with significant benefits as well as potential risks that patients need to understand.
Benefits
- Eliminates excess, sagging skin: This is the core benefit. The surgery completely removes excess skin that cannot retract after pregnancy or significant weight loss. It effectively addresses sagging, wrinkled abdominal skin and significantly reduces stretch marks in the lower abdomen.
- Restores abdominal muscles: The procedure repairs and tightens separated rectus abdominis muscles. This not only flattens the abdomen but also restores core strength, improves posture, and reduces chronic lower back pain.
- Removes localized fat: Most abdominoplasty procedures are combined with liposuction of the abdomen and flanks. This helps remove unwanted fat and creates a slimmer, more defined waistline, resulting in a balanced body contour.
- Improves hygiene and skin irritation: For those with excessive loose abdominal skin, folds can cause irritation, rashes, or infections due to moisture. Surgery flattens the abdomen and removes skin folds, resolving these hygiene and dermatological issues.
- Boosts confidence: Abdominoplasty provides a dramatic, long-lasting change in body shape, helping patients feel more confident in clothing, especially swimwear or fitted outfits. The psychological benefits are significant.
Risks
- Permanent scarring: Scars are inevitable after abdominal cosmetic surgery. There will be a long horizontal scar on the lower abdomen, usually hidden under the bikini line, and a small scar around the navel for full abdominoplasty. To minimize scarring, experienced surgeons carefully place incisions in easily concealed areas, and proper post-operative scar care is essential.
- Seroma (fluid accumulation): This occurs when fluid collects under the skin after fat removal and tissue excision. Although uncommon, it can happen. To manage this, surgeons often recommend placing drainage tubes for a few days or performing fluid aspiration multiple times at the clinic.
- Changes in skin sensation: The abdominal skin may feel numb or overly sensitive due to stretching or nerve injury. This is usually temporary and gradually improves over a few weeks to months.
Who is abdominoplasty surgery for?
Abdominoplasty is a personalized procedure, most suitable for the following individuals:
- Postpartum women: Those with severe abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti) and loose, sagging abdominal skin that cannot be improved through exercise.
- Rapid weight loss patients: Individuals who have lost a significant amount of weight, resulting in excess, loose, and wrinkled skin that cannot retract naturally.
- People with stable health: Patients should have good overall health, without uncontrolled chronic conditions (such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes), and should not smoke.
- People with stable weight: Ideal candidates are those near their target weight who have maintained it for at least 6–12 months. This procedure is not a weight-loss method.
How much does abdominoplasty cost?
The cost of abdominoplasty can vary widely, typically ranging from 60,000,000 VND to 130,000,000 VND or more. This variation depends on several factors:
- Surgery scope: Full abdominoplasty with liposuction, muscle repair, and navel repositioning is significantly more expensive than a mini abdominoplasty.
- Technology and additional services: Using advanced liposuction technology or special post-operative care services increases the total cost.
- Clinic or surgeon reputation: Procedures performed at major, licensed hospitals with experienced plastic surgeons generally cost more.
- Anesthesia and hospitalization fees: This includes general anesthesia (usually required for full abdominoplasty) and hospital stay for post-operative monitoring.
Abdominoplasty surgery procedure
Abdominoplasty is a complex procedure that must be performed in a hospital setting meeting strict sterile standards. The general process includes the following steps:
Step 1: Consultation
The surgeon evaluates the amount of excess skin and fat, assesses muscle separation, takes precise measurements, and discusses the patient’s expectations.
Step 2: General medical check
Blood tests, ECG, and X-rays are performed to ensure the patient is healthy enough for surgery under anesthesia.
Step 3: Anesthesia
The patient receives general anesthesia to ensure they remain pain-free throughout the surgery.
Step 4: Surgery
The surgeon makes a long horizontal incision on the lower abdomen (above the pubic bone) and a small incision around the navel (for full abdominoplasty). Separated abdominal muscles are sutured together to tighten the abdominal wall. The abdominal skin is stretched downward, and the marked excess skin and fat are removed. For full abdominoplasty, the navel is repositioned and reshaped for a natural appearance.
Step 5: Closing the Incisions
The incisions are closed with aesthetic sutures, and drainage tubes may be placed to remove excess fluid. The patient then wears a specialized compression garment and is moved to the recovery room for monitoring.
How long does a tummy tuck take?
The duration of abdominoplasty depends on the scope and complexity of the procedure:
- Mini abdominoplasty: Usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Full abdominoplasty (combined with liposuction and muscle repair): Can take 3 to 5 hours.
These times refer to the surgery itself. The total hospital stay for post-operative monitoring is typically 1–2 days to ensure the patient’s stability after anesthesia and proper management of drainage.
What is the recovery time for a tummy tuck?
The recovery process after abdominoplasty requires patience and strict adherence to the surgeon’s instructions:
- First week: This is the most challenging period. The abdomen will be swollen, bruised, and sore. Patients should rest completely at home, walk gently with slight bending, and may need assistance with daily activities.
- Weeks 2–4: Patients can return to light office work but must continue wearing a compression garment. Heavy lifting and strenuous activities should still be avoided.
- 6 weeks: Light exercise can be gradually resumed.
- 3–6 months: Most swelling subsides, the contouring results become more visible, and scars start to fade. Patients can return to normal physical activities.
Patients should wear a compression garment continuously for the first 4–6 weeks to support skin tightening and reduce swelling.
Aesthetic Surgery Center – Abdominoplasty surgery address in Vietnam
To ensure safety and achieve optimal aesthetic results, choosing the right clinic is crucial. In Vietnam, Aesthetic Surgery Center is recognized as a leading facility in body contouring.
With a team of experienced plastic surgeons specialized in abdominal muscle repair and contouring techniques, the center performs surgeries in a fully sterile, medical-standard environment. Equipped with modern technology, it minimizes risks, optimizes recovery time, and delivers a firm, natural-looking waistline for clients.
Abdominoplasty before and after
Reviewing real before-and-after images of abdominoplasty is an important step to help clients clearly visualize the possible results. Take a closer look at the following before-and-after photos of clients who have undergone the procedure:
After reviewing the information about abdominoplasty, it is clear that this procedure can help you achieve a slim, firm waistline as desired. However, it carries potential risks if not performed at a reputable facility. Therefore, if you are considering this cosmetic procedure, choose a trusted aesthetic hospital in Vietnam with a team of skilled and experienced plastic surgeons.
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