- 1. Liposuction
- 2. Liposculpture
- 3. Complete tummy tuck
- 4. Modified abdominoplasty
- 5. Mini abdominoplasty
- 6. Associated techniques
Liposuction, liposculpture and the various variations of abdominoplasty are cosmetic surgeries that leave the abdomen free of fat and with the smooth appearance, like that of a model. Below are the main types and how to recover each one.
1. Liposuction
Liposuction is especially indicated for those who need to remove the fat located at the bottom of the navel, upper or on the sides of the abdomen, but who does not need to remove excess skin.
In this type of aesthetic treatment, fat accumulations can be removed, improving body contour, but in order to have the desired effect, the person must be close to their ideal weight, so that the result is proportional.
- How is recovery: Liposuction lasts about 2 hours and recovery is approximately 2 months, requiring lymphatic drainage sessions at least 3 times a week to remove excess fluids, and use a brace to keep them from getting marks on the abdomen, nor points of fibrosis, which are harder parts and can make the belly look wavy.
2. Liposculpture
In liposculpture the plastic surgeon removes the localized fat from the belly and strategically places this fat in another part of the body, in order to improve the body contour. Usually the fat removed from the abdomen is placed on the thighs or buttocks but the results can be seen after about 45 days after the procedure.
This aesthetic treatment also needs care in the postoperative period so that it has the expected results, which is why it is necessary to use a brace in all treated areas and make lymphatic drainage to remove excess fluids that form in these regions.
- How is recovery: Recovery can take a little longer than other procedures because more than one area of the body is treated on the same day.
3. Complete tummy tuck
Abdominoplasty is particularly indicated to remove localized fat and excess skin that remained after a great weight loss. This procedure requires more care than liposuction but can be done when the person is not yet at their ideal weight.
In this procedure, the plastic surgeon can also sew the rectus abdominis muscle to make the belly even stiffer, preventing the removal of this muscle, which can generate abdominal diastasis, very common after pregnancy.
- How is recovery: Excess skin and sagging belly can be totally eliminated in this type of plastic surgery and the results can be seen after 2 or 3 months of the operation. However, as the area worked is larger, this type of procedure has a longer recovery and the results can take 3 or 4 months to be noticed.
4. Modified abdominoplasty
A modified abdominoplasty is one where the region of fat and skin to be removed is found only in the region located below the navel. It is particularly suitable for people who have managed to lose weight and reach the ideal weight, but who have a flabby belly, similar to a 'pouch'.
To do this type of plastic surgery, care is needed, such as not smoking, not taking hormonal drugs and anticoagulants before surgery.
- How is the recovery: after the surgery, it is necessary to use a brace and perform lymphatic drainage in the first and second months. Usually the final result can be seen after 1 month of the procedure.
5. Mini abdominoplasty
In mini abdominoplasty, a cut is made only in the lower region of the navel, closer to the pubis, which can be useful to remove the accumulation of fat in that location or to correct scars, such as cesarean section or other aesthetic procedure.
The recovery here is faster because the region to be treated is smaller, however, it also requires the same care, with the use of the brace and the lymphatic drainage sessions in the first month after the surgery.
- How is recovery: As the intention here is to correct a scar, the results can be seen from the 2nd week, which is when the region becomes less swollen and the outline of the new scar can be observed, which despite being bigger and going from one side of the body to the other, it is thinner, and should be imperceptible over time. Usually after 6 months to 1 year of correction, the person already finds only a thin line at the site of the old scar.
6. Associated techniques
In addition to these options, the doctor may also associate techniques in the same surgical procedure and for that reason he may choose to have liposuction on the upper and lateral abdomen and then do only a modified abdominoplasty, for example.
- How is the recovery: It does not take long when the area worked is smaller, but when the doctor chooses to perform a complete abdominoplasty with a liposculpture in the same procedure, the recovery can take longer and the person may need help to dress daily, go to the bathroom and shower for more than 1 month.
The best way to find out what the ideal treatment for each person is by going to a consultation with the plastic surgeon, who will be able to indicate the areas that can be treated and the treatment options available.
