Mini abdominoplasty

Procedure steps

• Dr. Petit will begin with questioning your medical and surgical histories (especially your bariatric surgery: by-pass, gastrectomy sleeve, gastric ring), gynecological antecedents (number of pregnancies), your weight and your size, as well as your tobacco consumption.
• He will listen to your discomfort and to your requirements relating your stomach.
• He will carry out a clinical examination of the abdomen in order to suggest the most appropriate surgical strategy adapted to your anatomy and to your request.
• Dr. Petit will provide information on the scar positioning, treatment process and procedure limits, post-operative recoveries as well as main risks, so as to make an informed decision.

Procedure limits

• The mini-abdominoplasty does not act on the supra-umbilical part of the abdomen.

Good candidates for a mini-abdominoplasty are those

• With a moderate cutaneous excess above the pubis.
• With a slight or without cutaneous sagging in the supra-umbilical part of the abdomen.
• With a high position of the navel given that this one can be slightly lowered during the re-tensioning of the subumbilical skin.
• Accepting the scarring price.
• And having understood the procedure limits.

Pre-operative instructions

General pre-operative instructions relating to aesthetic surger

• Smoking cessation 1 month before and after the procedure.
• Discontinuation of medicines which increase bleeding 10 days before and after the procedure: aspirin, anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant medicines, vitamin E.

Specific pre-operative instructions relating to the silhouette surgery

• To be at your stable and ideal weight for 6 months at least.
• Purchase of a compression garment.

Procedure stages

Pre-operative markings are performed by Dr. Petit before the intervention.

The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia (associated or not with a sedation), or under general anesthesia if a liposuction of the abdomen and/or hips is planned. The hospitalization is an out-patient basis (hospital discharge that very evening).

The mini-abdominoplasty consists in removing the cutaneous excess located above the pubis and to restore the tension of the remaining subumbilical abdominal skin. There is no transposition of the umbilicus.

A scar concealed in the underwear is necessary, whose length is variable and depends on the extent of the cutaneous excess to resect.
T
he cutaneous closure is performed with sub-cutaneous dissolving sutures.
A dressing modeling the abdomen is performed at the end of the procedure.

What to expect after surgery

The mini-abdominoplasty is a little or moderate painful procedure. Pains are well soothed by analgesics.

Ecchymosis (bruises) are classical and subside within 2 to 3 weeks after the operation. An oedema (swelling) is constant and of variable duration, gradually subsiding within a few months.

Daily nursing care after your shower with a soft soap are necessary during 15 days.

Three preventive measures against phlebitis are established after the procedure: the affected leg elevated as well as the walk, the wearing of compression stockings and the daily injection of an anticoagulant (medicines which thin the blood) over 15 days.

The wearing of a compression garment is recommended during 1 month in order to reduce the post-operative œdema.

The progressive resumption of daily activities is possible the day following the procedure.

The resumption of professional activities is possible one week following the procedure.

The resumption of sports activities can be done within 4 to 6 weeks following the operation.

Procedure risks

The complications of a mini-abdominoplasty are rare and will be mentioned by Dr.Petit during the consultation.

Long-term result

The final result of a mini-abdominoplasty is obtained between 3 to 6 months after the procedure, when the post-operative oedema has disappeared.

The scars initially are inflammatory (red and swollen) the first months, then they will fade gradually without disappearing. The final aspect of de your scar is not predictable and will be known at the end of the scarring maturation (between 1 and 2 years after the procedure).

The result is long-lasting except in case of significant changes in body weight or pregnancy.