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ABDOMEN AND FLANKS
What is it for?
Improves the silhouette and contour of the abdomen 360 degrees, i.e., belly, flanks and lower back
What does it mean?
Bodylift is a surgical procedure especially indicated in cases where excess skin and abdominal fat is extensive, especially in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery and who have lost a lot of weight, remaining with its sequelae, such as skin folds
The surgery is done both with the patient lying belly-down and belly-up, so that the surgeon can access the entire body extension. In this way, it is possible to conjugate the technique of abdominoplasty with that of the lift of the buttocks, leaving the patient with a scar all around, in the lower part of the waist. As for the abdominoplasty, it consists of the removal of skin and fat from the belly, from the level of the umbilicus to the pubic region, then repositioning the umbilicus at its anatomical location. The buttock lift corresponds to the excision of the skin and fat above the buttocks in the lumbar region, but keeping part of this fat to increase the projection of the buttocks, which are generally flaccid and sagging. Thus, it achieves several positive results:
- It removes all the folds, wrinkles, scars or striae that are in the region of excised skin
- It improves the contour of the belly in the front view (silhouette improvement) not only by the excision of skin and fat, but also by the complementary liposuction that can be done to the flanks
- In the profile view, a reduction of the projection of the belly caused by the distension of the abdominal muscles (often due to pregnancies) is achieved by means of a muscular plication (“re-tensioning" of the muscles)
- Abdominoplasty also rejuvenates the pubic region, with a lift effect on the labia majora
- The projection of the buttocks is increased, improving its sagged appearance_
- The skin excision of the flanks has a slight lifting effect on the thighs at its most lateral side
- The end result is a smoother and more attractive lower trunk, with a scar that tends to stay inside the underwear
It should be borne in mind that the best results are not obtained in people who are obese, but in patients who have lost weight or are close to their ideal weight, such as after pregnancy or in cases of massive bariatric surgery
In addition to the muscular plication mentioned above, our team also uses other intraoperative techniques that correspond to the state of the art, namely the preservation of the infraumbilical Scarpa’s fascia, as well as the use of Baroudi sutures ( "quilting sutures" ), whose purpose is to reduce the rate of seromas and the net drainage volume in the postoperative period
Procedure time
3-4h
Type of anaesthesia
General anaesthesia
Scars
The scar is horizontal and its anterior part is situated at a level just below the upper edge of the underwear used, i.e. about 7 cm above the upper extremity of the vulva, and usually runs across the front of the belly from one side to the other, although its true size can only be calculated on a case-by-case basis. Posteriorly, it follows the hips to the back region, at the level of the buttocks crease. The umbilicus, when repositioned, is also surrounded by a scar, which usually becomes barely noticeable over time. It is important, therefore, that the patient brings to the consultation and the day of surgery the type of underwear she most often uses, and a good alternative is the untanned area after sun exposure, which is also a good indicator of the ideal area for scar placement
Hospitalization
2-3 days in hospital
Recovery
You can resume work at 2-3 weeks depending on your work, as long as it does not require exertion. Physical exercise resumes after 6 weeks. During this time, you should use a compressive abdominal garment specifically recommended by our team. Lymphatic drainage done by professionals with experience in this type of procedure is a complementary technique that can be performed after 15 days
Most frequent problems and risks
Initially there is some feeling of discomfort/pain, which is usually easily controllable with painkillers. Our indication is for patients to get out of bed during the first postoperative day, and after 3-4 days they should achieve a perfectly upright position. Some swelling and bruising may be expected in the first few days, and also a reduction in the sensitivity of the “stretched" skin for a few weeks to months. The most frequent problems are seroma and small skin healing problems, which are generally of little relevance. Rarer are hematoma and infection, as well as excessive healing. One of the most fearsome complications is pulmonary thromboembolism, so early ambulation is important
Longevity
The procedure is definitive as long as there are no significant changes in weight or new pregnancies
CIRCUMFERENTIAL BODYLIFT
From 6600€
