Before and after abdominoplasty in a 33 year old mother of two. She was tired of being congratulated on being pregnant when she in fact was NOT. Her goal was not to wear a bikini (although OUR goal is always for our patients to feel comfortable enough to wear a two piece swimsuit without hesitation!); but to feel more comfortable in her skin and like the energetic, youthful stay at home Mom that she was.
An abdominoplasty trimmed excess lower abdominal skin and fat, repaired her separated rectus abdominis muscles back together, tightened her abdominal skin and removed unwanted fat in her upper and lower abdomen, pubic region, flanks and upper inner thighs using liposuction.
The area of rectus plication extends from the xiphoid process upwards to the pubic symphysis (pubic bone) downwards. Therefore, all this skin is lifted and pulled firmly downwards, and is as a result very numb for months, up to a year or more. Liposuction removes stubborn excess fat in all the areas listed in addition to the annoying collection that accumulates under the breasts and over the ribs with age.
Nerves recover slowly, at a rate of an inch a month on average. At less than a year after surgery, the lower portion of her abdomen is still quite numb, and she has resumed full activity including daily yoga and stretching. Over the next year her nerves will continue to wake up and she should regain full sensation, with the exception of possible numbness immediately over her scar.
Follow up photos are shown 11 months after surgery. Her scars are not yet mature. She is so happy with her abdominal contour and thrilled to hear that her scars will continue to fade over time.
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
