Indications

• A weakened abdominal wall after pregnancy, with stretch marks, usually combined with diastasis of the vertical abdominal muscles, in extreme cases leading to a ventral hernia.
• A flabby apron of hanging abdominal skin after weight loss.
• Undesirable scarring in the lower abdomen as a result of an operation or a caesarean section.

Duration of Operation: 1 to 3 hours

Type of anaesthesia: general anaesthetic

Inpatient treatment only

Operation

Following a horizontal incision above the pubic hair, the excess skin and the fatty tissue of the lower abdomen are removed. The skin and subcutaneous fat of the abdominal wall is raised up to the sternum in the midline. The abdominal muscles that have come apart are reapproximated together so that the waistline becomes defined again. Weak areas of the abdominal wall are stabilized, where necessary, by means of special suturing techniques.

The belly button is then moved to its new location so that the proportions look right, the belly button looks perfectly natural and the scar around it is well hidden in the depth of a funnel created for this purpose.

In patients with excess fat deposited at the abdominal wall, liposuction is carried out at the same time.

The incision is made in such a way that there will be as little visible scarring as possible and the scar can be hidden under normal swimwear. Stretch marks resulting from pregnancy are greatly improved with combined microlopofilling with the patient’s own fat containing stem cells.

After the operation:

A garment is necessary to support the abdomen for 3 months

Sutures are removed after 2 – 3 weeks

Post-surgical wound care begins after suture removal

Light physical activities after about 3 days, resumption of normal activities after 3 months

Avoid strenuous activities and sports for 3 months.