Aesthetic Surgery

Abdominal Surgery (Dermolipectomy)

1) How much weight will I lose with the abdominal dermolipectomy?
Since this is a procedure that removes a certain amount of skin and fat, a body weight reduction is expected, which depends of the abdominal volume of each patient. However, the esthetic outcome will not be defined by the amount of "pounds" removed, but by the ratio maintained between the abdomen and the rest of the trunk and limbs. Paradoxically, the best esthetic results are observed precisely in those cases where the smallest amounts are removed. This is the case of women who present a certain degree of flaccidity of the abdomen after one or more childbirths, with a predominance of skin over the amount of localized fat. Such cases allow us to achieve excellent results. In other situations, when the patient is overweight, the result is also rewarding, and proportional to the rest of the body; however, it is worth mentioning that the "excess of fat" in other regions close to the abdomen will persist, and therefore we recommend to these patients that they continue to follow their medical treatment, in order to maintain the balance between the different parts of the body.

Assim é que a maioria das mulheres apresentam certa "flacidez" do abdome após 1 ou vários partos, com predominância de pele sobre a quantidade de gordura localizada na região. Estes casos nos permitem excelentes resultados. Em outros casos, em que o paciente está com o peso acima do normal, o resultado também será compensatório e proporcional ao restante do corpo; entretanto, vale a pena lembrar que "excesso de gordura" em outras regiões vizinhas do abdome ainda existirá, o que nos leva a aconselhar àquelas que assim se apresentem a prosseguir com um tratamento clínico, para equilibrar as diversas partes entre si.

2) Does abdominal surgery leave a very visible scar?
Dermolipectomy leaves a horizontal scar, located immediately above the pubic hair line, and extending laterally, more or less, depending on the volume of abdomen subject to correction. The scar is intended to be hidden by regular swimming suits (in some cases, even tiny "bikinis" may be used) and will inevitably go through several phases of evolution until its maturation.

3) How long will it take for me to arcieve the definitive result?
During the first months after surgery, the abdomen is relatively insensitive, and may have repeated periods of "swelling" that resolve spontaneously. During this phase, it may take a "stretched" or "flat" appearance. As months pass and oriented modeling exercises are started, the definitive result is gradually achieved. No outcome should be considered definitive before 6 months postoperatively.

4) Is it true that a new navel will be constructed?
No. Your own navel will be reinserted and, if required, remodeled. You must take into account that, around the navel, there will be a scar, which will undergo the same evolution as the lower one (previously described). As this is a circular scar, in some cases the evolution may not meet the expectations, and the final result may be an "artificial" appearance. This happens in some patients due to an anomalous healing process, but it may be corrected with "retouching" techniques, under local anesthesia, after a few months.

5) Does Abdominal dermolipectomy correct that excess of fat in the area over the stomach?
Not always. And this depends on your type of trunk (the thorax and the abdomen together). If you have a short trunk, it will be difficult to correct it. If your trunk is long, the outcome will be more favorable. In this respect, the thickness of your body's adipose panicle (the fat under the skin) is also very important.

6) What kind of swimming suit will I be able to use after the surgery?
The kind of swimming suit will depend exclusively on your size. Obviously, the use of tiny bikinis will depend on the achievement of a more natural-looking result. Please remember that the surgical knife only perfections your own silhouette, which can be further improved with the help of an esthetics advisor or physical therapist.

7) May I get pregnant in the future? The result will not be negatively affected?
Your gynecologist will discuss with you the appropriateness of a new pregnancy. Concerning the result, it might be preserved if, during the new pregnancy, you follow a weight control program under the specialist supervision. However, we recommend that women become pregnant as many times as planned before submitting to an abdominal dermolipectomy.

8) I heard say that the postoperative period of the abdominal dermolipectomy is rather painful. Is that true?
No. A dermolipectomy with normal evolution should not be painful. There is, in fact, a misunderstanding by some patients who are concomitantly submitted to gynecological surgery associated to dermolipectomy and therefore report postoperative pain. Not all surgeons recommend this combination of surgical procedures, since it may have a less favorable outcome.

9) Does this surgery bear any risk?
Dermolipectomy rarely brings serious complications, provided it is performed according to the appropriate technical criteria. These include an adequate preparation of the patient for the surgical procedure, and considerations on the convenience of performing this surgery concomitantly with other procedures. The risk is neither higher nor lower than that of a trip by plane or by car, or even that of simply crossing a street.

10) Which Kind of anesthesia is used in this surgery?
General, peridural or similar forms of anesthesia.

11) How long is the surgical procedure?
On average, 3 hours.

12) How long is the hospital stay?
From one to two days (normal outcome).

13) Is a Drain necessary?
Yes. The drain usually remains in place for 3 to 10 days, depending on the amount of secretion.

14) When are the stitches removed?
Between the 7th and the 15th day.

15) When will I be able to take a regular bath?
Usually after 2 days or after the drain is removed.

16) What is the postoperative evolution?
You should not forget that, until the expected result is achieved, this surgical procedure typically goes through different phases. That is why we have included some remarks on the scar evolution in item 2. In item 3 we give answers about the evolution of the abdominal shape, as well as its sensitivity, consistency, etc. Sometimes patients become concerned and "wish to achieve the final result before the expected time". Please be patient, because your body will take care of resolving all the small, transient disturbances that invariably call the attention of some of your friends, who will certainly not refrain from saying: "Are you sure this is really going to disappear?" - You should not hesitate to communicate to us all your concerns. We will give you all the necessary explanations and help you calm down. Remark: Some patients become rather anxious during this phase, due to some transient abnormalities (swelling, altered sensitivity, healing transition phase, etc.). This is a transitory condition and usually reflects the desire to achieve the final result as soon as possible. Please remember that no outcome of an abdominal surgery should be considered definitive before 6 to 12 months. In the case of extremely obese patients, "a reasonable amount of yellowish fluid" may be eliminated, after the 8th day, through one or more points of the surgical scar. This phenomenon is called lipolysis, and it is nothing but the result of the liquefying of the residual fat close to the area of the scar and its consequent elimination; it does not represent a complication. There are means available to avoid such leakage to occur in untimely situations.