Many people are frustrated by not achieving a perfect abdomen. This is usually one of the areas that most concern mainly women, especially those who have had several pregnancies. If we surf the Internet or take a look at fashion and health magazines, especially in the summer, we can see a lot of body treatments, sports programs and eating habits focused on achieving a perfect abdomen.
The aesthetic demand to achieve a flat and toned tummy can cause a lot of frustration when we have tried everything. However, it is not just a matter of aesthetics, which seems to be the main concern.
Keeping this central area of the body fit and toned gives strength to the core and offers control to body movement. In addition, the abdomen is involved in the support of the spine and internal organs, so exercising it promotes the acquisition of a correct posture and prevents back pain.
The difficulty to achieve a defined abdomen
Many people start an exercise routine and specific diets to flatten the abdomen. However, most end up giving up when they do not see a big change in the expected time. Although perseverance and effort are essential, sometimes it may not be enough for several reasons:
- The abdominal area is the place in the body where most fat tends to accumulate:
Although we all have abdominal muscles, fatty tissue ends up covering them, especially in the lower abdomen as a result of gravity. This is what is known as visceral fat and is the last to disappear, which is why it is so difficult for the muscle to be marked.
As a solution, at Clínica Doctora Brasó we perform abdominoplasty, also known as abdominal lipectomy, a surgery that involves the removal of excess abdominal skin and fat.
- Muscle flaccidity and genetics:
Another reason that usually prevents the achievement of a flat and firm abdomen is muscle flaccidity where genetics seems to occupy an important role. In addition, the aging of the body makes flaccidity a chronic and progressive process.
By means of tummy tuck surgery, muscular flaccidity in this area of the body is also corrected.
- Diet and calories:
If we focus on food, excessive calorie intake contributes to high insulin levels and, therefore, to the creation of body fat. Insulin accumulates dietary carbohydrates in the muscles and liver. When the reserves are full, the body needs to store this excess glucose and does so in the form of fat.
The benefits of abdominoplasty
It is a surgical intervention more frequent than we think. At Clínica Doctora Brasó we perform successful abdominoplasties every year. According to a study prepared by the Spanish Society of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, liposuction, especially abdominoplasty, is the third most performed aesthetic intervention in our country, after facial surgery and augmentation or reduction mammoplasty. The success achieved by this type of surgery is due to the effectiveness and ease with which they are performed.
Tummy tuck surgery seeks the elimination of excess skin and fat in this area of the body and the strengthening of the abdominal muscles. Whether it is a complete or mini surgery, it provides excellent results, being in most cases definitive, as long as a balanced diet and frequent exercise are followed. In addition, it should be noted that in this type of surgery the scars are not visible, even with bikini or underwear.
At Dr. Brasó Clinic we usually recommend this surgery to women who have a relatively good silhouette but are concerned about the accumulation of fat, or the excess skin that usually remains after a sudden weight loss, and that do not improve despite diet and physical exercise. It should be noted that this procedure is especially useful for women who have had several pregnancies.
The surgical process of abdominoplasty
We can talk about two types of techniques: if the patient only has fat accumulation in the area below the navel, a simpler procedure called mini-abdominoplasty, which lasts between 1 and 2 hours, may be sufficient.
On the other hand, there is the complete abdominoplasty. In this procedure the excess skin and fat is removed from the entire abdomen, so it usually lasts between 2 and 4 hours.
Both types require an overnight stay and are performed under general anesthesia in which we apply a revolutionary technique of anesthesia that makes the postoperative period much lighter and recovery faster and more efficient.
Dr. Juan Bernardo Schuitemaker, an anesthesiologist at Clínica Dr. Brasó, has designed this technique, which he has been practicing for more than 10 years, and which reduces the intensity of postoperative pain by 70% to 90%.