Abdominal Reduction

Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck Surgery

The First Step!
Choose a Surgeon You Can Trust

Selecting a plastic surgeon certified by the Mexican Board of Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery and a full member of the Mexican Association of Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery are important indicators of your surgeon’s qualifications and ongoing education. If your surgeon meets these criteria, you can confidently proceed with your decision.

Who Are Candidates?

The ideal candidate for an abdominoplasty is someone with a relatively normal figure who is concerned about fat deposits or sagging abdominal skin that does not improve with diet or exercise. This procedure is particularly useful for:

• Women who have lost abdominal muscle tone due to pregnancy.
• Individuals who have experienced significant weight loss.
• Older adults whose skin has lost elasticity.

While abdominoplasty can enhance your appearance and boost your confidence, it’s important to set realistic expectations. Discuss your goals openly during your consultation.

What You Need to Know

Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck or dermolipectomy, is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen while tightening the abdominal wall muscles. While this surgery dramatically reduces the appearance of a prominent abdomen, it does leave a permanent scar. The extent of the scar depends on the severity of the original issue and the surgical correction required. The scar often extends from hip to hip but is generally well-concealed.

Planning Your Procedure

During your initial consultation, I will assess your overall health, determine the amount of fat in your abdominal area, and evaluate your skin quality. Share your expectations, and I will explain the various techniques, associated risks, and limitations of each.

• For localized fat deposits below the navel, a less invasive procedure called a mini-abdominoplasty may suffice.
• In some cases, combining abdominoplasty with liposuction yields optimal results.

I will recommend the procedure that best suits your body and desired outcomes. We will also discuss any conditions that might affect surgical results, such as smoking or hypertension, and I will explain the type of anesthesia, surgical setting, risks, and costs.

The Procedure

General anesthesia is typically used for this surgery, allowing you to sleep throughout the procedure.

• Complete abdominoplasty: Takes approximately 2–3 hours.
• Mini-abdominoplasty: Takes 1–2 hours.

The procedure involves the following steps:

1. A horizontal incision is made between the hip bones, just above the pubic area (concealed by underwear), and a second incision frees the navel.
2. The skin is separated from the abdominal wall up to the ribcage, exposing the abdominal muscles.
3. The abdominal muscles are tightened and sutured, resulting in a firmer, flatter abdomen and a slimmer waistline.
4. Excess skin is removed, and a new opening is created for the repositioned navel.
5. The incisions are sutured.

Following the surgery, you will have a flatter, firmer abdomen. Scars are strategically placed to remain hidden under clothing and will fade over time.

Recovery

In the initial days after surgery:

• Expect abdominal swelling and some pain or discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed medication.
• Depending on your health and the type of surgery, you may be discharged within a few hours or stay in the hospital for 2–3 days.

Post-operative care includes:

• Removal of superficial sutures in 5–7 days and navel sutures in 2 weeks.
• Wearing a specialized compression garment for approximately one month.

Most patients can return to work after two weeks. Gentle exercise promotes faster recovery, but strenuous activity should be avoided until you feel fully healed. Scars may appear worse during the first 3–6 months, but they will thin out and fade over 9–12 months.

Results

A full or partial abdominoplasty provides excellent results for patients with weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin. Maintaining results is possible with regular exercise and a balanced diet. The improvement in appearance and self-confidence makes this procedure highly satisfying for most patients.