Abdominoplasty following pregnancy or in cases of obesity
Abdominoplasty can make a flabby abdomen firm and attractive once more. The plastic surgeon Dr Bromba in Germany has had a great deal of experience with this operation. He performs the operation at the St. Josef Hospital in Essen, so that patients can benefit from the infrastructure of a well equipped German hospital. There are many reasons why the abdomen becomes flabby. The general process of ageing, a drastic loss of weight or repeated pregnancies can all lead to a looseness of skin and flabbiness of tissue in the abdominal region. Superfluous folds of skin will then form which it is impossible to overlook, giving the person a thickset and formless appearance overall. The expansion of the skin during pregnancy or as a result of obesity causes the abdominal wall to become slack. Not even sport or gymnastics is able to prevent the abdominal muscles pulling apart. The damage to the subcutaneous tissue is permanent, as the holding structures have been torn. An operative abdominoplasty is thus the only way of recreating a firm abdomen.
Narrow waist and flat stomach
A flat stomach – a ‘washboard stomach’ or ‘six-pack’ – is something that many people see as desirable. At whatever age, anyone is going to look more dynamic and youthful with a firm abdomen. For men and women alike, a narrow waist and abdomen stands for health and activity. Above all after repeated pregnancies or multiple pregnancies, a woman’s abdomen is very likely to become flabby. For many women in this situation an abdominoplasty represents the one opportunity of regaining their former figure. If you have any questions about abdominoplasty, Dr Bromba and his team will be happy to talk to you.
Repairing the abdominal muscles for a firm stomach
An abdominoplasty reconnects the muscles of the abdominal wall. Flabby tissue or superfluous layers of fat can be removed at the same time. In some cases the abdominoplasty operation can be directly combined with a liposuction. If the flabbiness of the abdominal wall is not quite so serious, an abdominoplasty on a smaller scale may be sufficient. This operation has a partial effect on the areas of the muscular system that it impacts. The best results of an abdominoplasty will be experienced by patients who in other respects are slim and in good physical condition overall. Women should only undergo the operation after they no longer wish to have children. Likewise with loss of weight, you should already have reached the weight you aspire to.
Procedure for an abdominoplasty
Before the abdominoplasty you should tell your doctor if you are taking any medicaments on a regular basis. After the operation you should allow 7 to 10 days for the healing process. The operation is given to inpatients – you will be required to spend one or two days at the hospital. At the St. Josef Hospital in Essen, Germany, patients can benefit from the safety standards of a proper hospital with all specialist consultants on hand. An abdominoplasty is normally carried out under general anaesthetic. The operation takes two to three hours. The abdominoplasty commences with a long incision in the skin of the lower abdomen. Then the navel is freed from the surrounding tissue. To create a firm abdominal wall, the abdominal muscles are pulled together in the middle and fastened in position. It is important that patients should really give themselves a proper rest in the time following the operation. After an abdominoplasty, a compression hose or special bandage must be worn. This supports the healing process and encourages the formation of a firm abdomen. The scar fades after a few months; in the first six months after the abdominal operation, however, you should avoid exposing the scar area to intensive sunlight. Sport can be allowed again after 6-8 weeks, subject to consultation with your physician. Risks of an abdominoplasty: Along with the standard risks associated with every operation (swellings, difficulty of healing, infections), an abdominoplasty gives rise to a relatively long scar in the bikini zone. This scar does however fade in time. A circular scar will also be created on the navel, as the latter will be transposed.