WHAT IS A LIPECTOMY AND WHAT ARE ITS BENEFITS?

Lipectomy or abdominoplasty (best known as “Tummy Tuck”) is a procedure that provides you with a flatter belly. Its benefits are not only aesthetic, but also medical.If you are considering undergoing Lipectomy, we want you to know some of its advantages in order to explore the long-term results. It is important to consider that after a tummy tuck, results may be modified with subsequent pregnancies and extreme weight loss or gain.

Lipectomy is a cosmetic surgery that tightens the abdominal wall muscles to redefine the abdomen and waist area to provide a new body contour.

Many women associate lipectomy with “Mommy Makeover” because it is a procedure that restores the figure after pregnancy. However, it can be also right for men and/or women that have suffered an extreme weight loss in a short period of time and need to adjust the excess skin in the abdomen and waist.

Although it is a simple surgery performed by experienced professionals, the procedure can last from 2 to 3 hours approximately, under general anesthesia.

Total recovery is achieved after 6 weeks approx., during which you must follow the post-surgical instructions of your surgeon to avoid an infection and have a smoother and shorter recovery.

When can you start noticing the results of lipectomy? When you see the belly area firmer, the muscles tighter, and the contour is totally improved.

Another important consideration that we want to mention is that, it is common to have adverse effects in people that are not in great physical health, for example people suffering from diabetes. In these cases, it is important to seek assessment from a cosmetic surgeon to know if undergoing this procedure is the best decision.

It is extremely important to be thoroughly informed about the risks of this procedure. Make an appointment with a certified cosmetic surgeon with a renowned experience in this field. Each patient is different, without proper professional counsel, it is not recommended to undergo Lipectomy.

MEDICAL ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF A LIPECTOMY THAT IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE

Many procedures are done for aesthetic reasons, but few people really know that patients that undergo a lipectomy receive important benefits that improve their quality of life.

A flat abdomen guarantees a better body posture and, also makes it easier to lose weight. In a recent edition of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal (http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/pages/currenttoc.aspx), Swiss researchers found that patients that undergo bariatric surgery (which reduces the size of the stomach) are more likely to maintain a healthy weight if they later undergo a lipectomy.

Relief of ventral hernia pain that can present itself when abdominal muscles weaken. In some cases, hernias can be a consequence of a c-section or an appendix extraction surgery. A ventral hernia can start in the intestine area, which then pressures the abdominal wall.

It helps develop greater tolerance to exercise. Excess skin and weak abdominal muscles could difficult doing aerobic activities like running, riding a bicycle, and even walking. An abdominoplasty could renew the interest of the patient in practicing some sports. Having the opportunity to exercise not only helps the heart work better, but also boosts the sense of well being in someone. Frequent exercise also helps you keep in shape after the weight loss you worked so hard for that.

José Luis Sala Martínez M.D. is a cosmetic surgeon renowned worldwide that practices surgery in Clínica de Cirugía Cosmética in Tijuana, Baja California. He has done more than thousands of breast augmentations and other surgical procedures, among which lipectomy or “Tummy Tuck” stands out. If you want an appointment with him to seek advice about this procedure, contact us to schedule some time.