Abdominoplasty

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. It begins with subcutaneous liposuction, after which the excess skin is released through a low incision on the abdominal wall, placed beneath the so-called bikini line. The rectus abdominis muscles are firmly stitched together along the midline, and the surplus skin is then removed. During this process, the navel is cut out in a circular fashion and repositioned into the tightened abdominal skin. The result is a scar at the lower part of the abdomen and another around the navel.

Often, additional liposuction is performed in the superficial layers of the subcutaneous tissue (high-definition liposuction) to enhance the contour of the abdominal wall. For closing the abdominal wall incision, a special technique is used in which all tension on the skin edges is borne by internal (subcutaneous) sutures. As a result, the scar may appear raised or uneven in the beginning. After about six weeks, the internal sutures dissolve and the scar gradually flattens. This method significantly reduces the risk of scar widening, as the tension was absorbed by the deeper sutures. After a maturation period of about one year, the scar becomes barely visible.

Suturing the rectus muscles is often an essential part of the procedure to achieve a flat abdominal wall. However, this can cause some discomfort in the first few days after surgery. The pain is comparable to muscle soreness after intense physical activity. To manage this, a pain pump is placed and will be removed two days after the surgery by a home nurse.

Additionally, two drainage tubes (drains or Redons) are placed to remove excess wound fluid. These are typically removed the following morning.

Following the procedure, an overnight stay is always foreseen for adequate pain management via intravenous medication and to closely monitor blood pressure (see further under complications). On the morning after the surgery, the drainage tubes are removed and a pain pump is connected, after which you can leave the clinic. During the first week, a moderate painkiller such as Paracetamol is usually sufficient to keep discomfort under control. Follow-up appointments are scheduled one and two weeks after the procedure to check the bandages and removal of sutures. During the first three weeks post-surgery, moderate physical activity is recommended.

Complications during or after an abdominoplasty are extremely rare. As with any surgical procedure, there is a minimal risk of bleeding and infection. Infection is exceptionally uncommon, and a preventive dose of antibiotics is administered during surgery. Bleeding is also rare and is prevented through meticulous surgical technique and strict blood pressure monitoring during the first 8 hours after the procedure. During this period, it is crucial to keep the systolic blood pressure below 120 mm Hg. Blood pressure may rise due to insufficient pain control or simply from stress following the procedure. Therefore, close monitoring is essential, which is why this surgery always includes an overnight stay at E:MC².

Skin necrosis (death of abdominal skin tissue) is a rare complication, primarily seen in smokers. Smoking is considered a contraindication for this procedure. Patients who smoke are asked to stop at least two weeks before surgery. If this is not feasible, we do not proceed with the operation due to the significantly increased risk of poor skin circulation, which can lead to delayed wound healing, poor scar formation, or even necrosis.

A very rare complication is deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower limbs, potentially leading to pulmonary embolism. The risk increases in cases of extreme obesity or very prolonged surgeries. To help prevent this, all our patients receive special compression boots during the procedure. These boots use a pneumatic system to massage the calves continuously during the immobilization phase of surgery.

Many complications can be prevented through careful patient selection. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and extreme obesity (>120 kg) should ideally be managed before undergoing surgery. It's also important to understand that improving lifestyle factors—such as adopting healthier eating habits and regular exercise, which help reduce body weight and increase muscle mass—will further enhance the outcome of the procedure. Conversely, significant weight gain after surgery can negatively impact the results.

Surgical fee starting from €4750

Price excludes VAT, anesthesia, operating room fees, materials, staff, and hospital stay