Complete Guide to Abdominoplasty Surgery: Procedure, Benefits, and Recovery

Do you desire a flatter, well-sculpted, and firmer mid-section? With abdominoplasty surgery in Gurgaon, your dream can come true!

If you are thinking of going for abdominoplasty, it is better to consult with an experienced cosmetic and abdominoplasty surgeon at SB Aesthetics Clinic. They can help one decide better what is best for them, and a good surgeon can deliver one with safe and successful results.

What is Abdominoplasty Surgery?

Abdominoplasty surgery or tummy tuck, is a customisable surgery of the abdomen/tummy area performed to achieve a well-toned, tightened, and youthful abdominal contour. It involves the removal of surplus stubborn fat and loose skin from the tummy. It even addresses the loose/separated abdominal muscles.

Types of Abdominoplasties

Depending on the patient’s unique abdominal anatomy, level of belly skin laxity, and aesthetic body goals/needs, here are the abdominoplasty surgeries that are recommended:

1. Full Abdominoplasty- It involves muscle tightening and removal of significant lax skin and extra stubborn fat from the whole abdomen, followed by repositioning of the belly button over the new abdomen contour.
2. Mini Abdominoplasty- It involves making a small incision in the lower abdomen to remove the mild to moderate skin laxity and fix the minimal muscle separation. There is no belly button repositioning.
3. Extended Abdominoplasty- It involves making a wider incision to get rid of excess fat and skin from the whole belly, flanks, and hips, and also tightening the abdominal muscles.

What to Expect During Abdominoplasty Surgery?

The Preparation for Abdominoplasty: Pre-Surgery Steps to Take

To ensure abdominoplasty surgery is suitable and goes as expected, the patient has to first go for a consultation or online consultation with the surgeon at SB Aesthetics. The surgeon will evaluate the patient’s candidacy for a specific type of abdominoplasty by checking the patient’s medical records, the anatomy, the abdominal skin quality, the abdominal muscle separation, and the abdominal fat distribution.

If the patient is suitable for abdominoplasty, the surgeon will provide specific instructions on how to get ready for the surgery. Here are the pre-operative guidelines:

• Stop taking blood thinners
• Have a healthy diet and eating habits
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Keep your body well-hydrated with enough daily water intake
• Keep the abdomen protected from direct UV exposure, chemicals, or heat exposure.

The Abdominoplasty Procedure: How It Works?

Abdominoplasty surgery overall takes around 2-4 hours. Here are the steps followed during an abdominoplasty surgery:

1. Use of Anaesthesia- The anaesthesiologist at SB Aesthetics provides general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation, whichever is best for the patient. 
2. Making of Incisions- The incisions are made by the abdominoplasty surgeon in Gurgaon at SB Aesthetics, Dr. Shilpi Bhadani, as per the type of tummy tuck. For a full abdominoplasty, one long hidden incision is created across the abdomen from one hip bone to another, and another incision is created around the navel. For extended abdominoplasty, the incision even goes over the flanks and lower back. For mini abdominoplasty, a short, low horizontal incision is made just above the pubic region.
3. Abdominal Muscle Repair (if required)- Through the incision, the surgeon separates the skin from the abdominal wall to expose the rectal muscles that lie vertically in the abdomen, up to the ribs. These muscles are repositioned and tightened using sutures.      
4. Abdominal Liposuction and Abdominal Skin Excision- From above the tight rectal muscle, the extra, loose, stretched skin is eliminated with the excision technique, and the stubborn fat is removed with the advanced liposuction technique. The leftover skin is re-draped over the abdominal area and secured over the new abdominal contour with the help of sutures. 
5. Navel Repositioning (in case of full/extended abdominoplasty)- The hole resulting from the incision that is made around the navel is removed during the skin excision, and another hole is created to aesthetically and naturally position the belly button over the new abdomen contour.
6. Closing of Incision- The incisions are sutured and protected with sterile surgical dressings. Drain tubes may be placed to drain extra fluids. The drain is usually removed in 24 hours of surgery.

After Abdominoplasty: Result, Recovery, and Aftercare

At our specialised centre for abdominoplasty, the methods we have developed do not let the patient feel much pain after the surgery, and the patients are often surprised to find their recovery is much better than they expected. There can be a stretch sensation, but usually there is not much pain. In the early days, one has to avoid walking upright and can walk with a mild bend. Generally, patients are able to walk normally in 3-4 days. Wearing a compression garment helps with the recovery process and keeps the swelling down. The chances of bruises are also much less at our specialised centre.

In the next 4-6 weeks of recovery, the swelling subsides, the abdominal contour gets more defined, the waistline becomes slimmer, and the abdominal skin turns smoother and firmer. It is recommended to follow proper surgical wound care, gradually return to routine, don’t miss follow-up visits, and avoid activities that strain the abdomen, until healing is over.  One can generally return to office after a week but taking out days of recovery for yourself will help you heal better.

After 3-6 months of surgery, the final abdominal shape becomes apparent and stays, the scars mature and fade, and the skin quality gets considerably improved. All this is as long as the patient maintains a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle.

Benefits of Abdominoplasty

• Treatment of rectus diastasis
• Improved core support and posture
• Partially fading of abdominal stretch marks
• A slimmer, well-defined, youthful mid-section
• Reduced back discomfort and better mobility
• Better fitting of clothes
• A long-lasting, significant improvement in body image and enhanced confidence.

FAQs on Abdominoplasty Surgery

What are the risks associated with abdominoplasty surgery?

This will be discussed in detail by the surgeon during consultation. General surgical risks and complications are infection, bleeding, anaesthesia reactions, and scarring.

What may lead to considering an abdominoplasty?

Loose, sagging skin; extra abdominal fat, weak/separated abdominal muscles, irritated skin or rashes from extra folds of abdominal skin; and dissatisfaction with the tummy profile.

Who can benefit from abdominoplasty surgery?

Abdominoplasty is best-suited for healthy adults with post-pregnancy sagging and protruding belly, excess belly skin due to substantial weight loss, drooping abdominal area due to ageing, or weakened and stretched abdominal muscles due to pregnancy or abdominal hernia, but stable, healthy body weight, good lifestyle choices, and realistic expectations.

What is the recovery timeline for abdominoplasty?

Most patients take 4 to 6 weeks to completely heal after abdominoplasty surgery.

Can abdominoplasty help me lose weight?

Abdominoplasty surgery is not for weight loss but for abdominal contouring.

Can I get pregnant after abdominoplasty?

Yes. But it is advised to consider abdominoplasty after finishing childbearing to preserve the abdominoplasty outcome in the long term.

Is the cost of abdominoplasty surgery covered under insurance?

No. Abdominoplasty is an elective surgery, and no insurance coverage exists for such surgeries. If there is a hernia then for repair of the hernia the coverage is possible. Although it is a functional surgery for many women, many insurance providers do not cover the cost.

Are you interested in reshaping your midsection area?

Get proper planning and execution of abdominoplasty with guaranteed highly satisfactory results with Dr. Shilpi Bhadani. She is one of the leading plastic surgeons in Gurgaon and is the founder of the leading cosmetic and plastic surgery clinic, SB Aesthetics.

She has expertise in performing all types of body contouring procedures. Meet her for more details on abdominoplasty surgery in Gurgaon.