Abdominoplasty is one of the most performed surgeries by patients today. Depending on the state of the abdomen there are many types of this surgical procedure. In turn, abdominoplasties and umbilical hernias are usually performed together. For these reasons, this surgery is considered a cosmetic-functional operation.
In this article, we will focus, among all the types of abdominoplasty that exist, on endoscopic abdominoplasty.
What is endoscopic abdominoplasty?
It is a type of abdominoplasty in which small incisions are made through which the abdominal muscles are repaired.
Who is this surgery for?
It is a surgery indicated only for a small minority. The ideal patients are thin women who have suffered damage to their abdominal musculature due to pregnancy, resulting in abdominal bulging with little or no flaccidity.
However, there are cases in which a specialist may determine that a patient is a candidate for a small abdominoplasty, if associated with an endoscopic repair of the musculature above the umbilicus.
How is endoscopic abdominoplasty performed?
It is a procedure that usually lasts between 2.5 and 3 hours. It is performed under general anesthesia with incisions in the pubis and another in the navel.
The abdominal muscles are then repaired from the sternum to the pubis through the incisions using a camera and monitor. Liposuction is usually performed to improve the final result.
What is the postoperative period like?
Generally, it is a much more pleasant postoperative period than that of conventional abdominoplasty, since the possibility of seroma and problems with the surgical wound are reduced.
As a general rule, the patient is usually hospitalized for one or two nights. Afterwards, an abdominal binder is placed without any drainage and the patient is discharged from the hospital.
Tips for patients planning to undergo abdominoplasty
- Make sure if it is possible in your case to perform minimally invasive techniques.
- Stop smoking before performing abdominoplasty.
- Do not have this surgery if you plan to lose many kilos of weight.
- Take the opportunity to have it done when you are at your ideal weight to maximize the results.
- Put yourself in the hands of specialists in a hospital with an Intensive Care Unit or resuscitation.
- Rest for at least 3 weeks to recover properly before returning to work.
- Take advantage of this opportunity to correct abdominal hernias that may cause future problems.
- Use surgical mesh for proper repair of hernias.