Clinical Case #4175
(Before and After)

A 42-year-old woman, mother of two children, presented with localized adiposity in the abdomen and back (flanks).

A lipoabdominoplasty was performed. This term means that associated with the abdominoplasty, liposuction was also performed.

Liposuction allows for the removal of excess fat and models the body contour in a more complete way than when the abdominoplasty is performed alone.

In this case, the intention was to restore the waist, since it had a very rectangular shape. The abdominoplasty allows the removal of excess skin and some stretch marks (all those below the navel) and, at the same time, treats the abdominal muscles (by plicating the straight abdominal muscles). Basically, it is similar to making an “internal brace” by repositioning the muscular structures affected by pregnancy.

Besides that, the fat that was aspirated was also used and, after being treated and prepared, it was injected into strategic areas of the buttocks in order to improve the contour. It should also be noted that one of the goals of a vibroliposuction of the back was to reduce the skin folds in the area under the bra, and it was possible to significantly improve the appearance, although it is not always possible to remove all of it.

This surgery was performed with epidural and sedation, took about 3h30, and had a recovery period of fewer than 24 hours. In the postoperative period, she had to wear a compression girdle and do several sessions of lymphatic drainage.

These images have an interval of one month between before and after and we can still see a lot of edema, but the result is expected to improve by the end of six months. The abdominoplasty implies a scar on the bottom of the abdomen that is more extensive than a C-section scar, as well as a scar around the navel.

Post-surgery

In the post-surgical phase, it is necessary to rest, avoid strenuous activity, use a compression girdle, and perform lymphatic drainages.

The description of this clinical case is merely informative and does not dispense consultation with a specialist in plastic surgery, since only through this consultation is it possible to clarify the indication for each procedure, as well as the inherent risks and complications.