Reverse Abdominoplasty

Reverse abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgery which is used to remove excess skin from the upper abdominal region and help give the body a better shape. This surgery is generally advised in case the patient does not have a loose rectus muscle connection (diastasis) which affects the lower abdominal region. It is also recommended in case the patient has excess fat in the lower abdomen with good skin quality (no excess skin).

Also called as ‘reverse tummy tuck’ surgery, this surgery requires an incision under the breast, rather than in the pubic region as seen in conventional tummy tuck. This cosmetic procedure is often combined with a breast augmentation surgery to achieve best contours for the upper body.

Who is an ideal candidate for a Reverse Abdominoplasty?

A person who has experienced drastic loss in weight recently and have saggy skin above the navel, as well as people looking for a combined breast augmentation and tummy tuck surgery benefit from a reverse abdominoplasty.

Ideally, any person with excess fatty tissue in the upper abdomen who wishes to get a better contoured upper body and has realistic expectations about the results is considered to be a candidate for reverse abdominoplasty.

How is Reverse Abdominoplasty performed?

Reverse abdominoplasty is a completely aesthetic procedure which is aimed at improving the contours of the upper body. This is normally performed as an outpatient surgical procedure

The reverse abdominoplasty surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia to prevent any pain and discomfort to the patient during the procedure. Once the anesthesia is effective, the cosmetic surgeon will make small incisions along the Inframammary folds (crease under the breast). These incisions are used to remove any excessive at tissue and extra skin from the upper abdomen.

Once the excessive underlying fat deposits and skin are removed, the surgeon will pull the remaining skin taut from the upper abdomen and fix it in place using dissolvable fine sutures. This procedure does not require repositioning the belly button as id often required in a conventional abdominoplasty or tummy tuck.

What is recovery like after a Reverse Abdominoplasty?

Initial recovery takes around 1-2 weeks after the reverse abdominoplasty usually. The doctor will advise wearing a pressure garment or compression bandage to restrict swelling and bruising which may be seen for one to two weeks after the surgery.

Patients normally feel slight discomfort in the first week hence the doctor might prescribe painkillers in case the pain is considerable. Generally, a patient is able to resume normal everyday activities within a couple of weeks.

Ideally, if the patient follows the post-surgical instructions of the doctor/surgeon then the results are highly successful. The reverse abdominoplasty surgery will be able to give the abdomen a smooth and slim look. Once the swelling subsides significantly after the first month, the effective results are seen clearly.

The scars are minimal and hidden under the crease of the breasts, which also fade away with time.

Are there any risks from Reverse Abdominoplasty?

As is seen in any form of invasive surgery, there are normal risks such as:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Scarring
• Nerve damage
• Asymmetry

The surgeon will use their expertise and every possible precautionary measure to ensure that such risks do not surface.