The days of tummy tucks requiring many weeks of recovery are long gone. Today’s technological advances allow you to get the results you want in less time and with less discomfort. The idea of abdominoplasty was born out of battlefield ingenuity during World War I. The procedure at that time was more directed at the patient’s needs. The procedure at the time was more aimed at covering battle wounds and supporting healing than a cosmetic procedure, but these innovative techniques laid the groundwork to help not only wounded soldiers, but also people with birth defects and yes, pregnancy battle scars and weight stress.
Fortunately, we live in a society that takes good things and makes them even better. Plastic surgeons are constantly working to refine and improve procedures to make them less stressful, less time consuming and more effective overall. Mini-abdominoplasty and the drainless recovery process are two such advances that provide better results and shorter recovery times than ever before.
Not long ago, individuals who have been interested in undergoing a tummy tuck but were only looking to correct the sagging and bulging below the belly button still had to undergo a full abdominoplasty. However, new surgical advances have paved the way for a less invasive procedure for those who need minimal revisions. Partial abdominoplasty, more commonly known as mini-abdominoplasty, is for people whose trouble spots are below the belly button only. Mini-abdominoplasty is usually performed as outpatient surgery and requires less downtime for recovery. Non-drainage tummy tuck drains have been an integral part of the abdominoplasty procedure, helping to eliminate the natural buildup of fluid in the body between the abdominal wall and the newly lifted tissue. However, these drains can be a major inconvenience during the recovery process.
Drains come with their own set of risks, including clogged or crimped hoses. People often find drains uncomfortable, inconvenient and difficult to hide behind clothing, making recovery much more restrictive. Progressive tension sutures have made drain-free tummy tucks possible. Surgeons use a quilting technique that secures the abdominal skin to the underlying tissue layers, creating a tighter bond and leaving little room for fluid to accumulate. This effectively eliminates the need for “drains”.
By using progressive tension sutures, surgeons are able to make the incision much lower and therefore easier to conceal. Because this technique reduces the tension at the incision site, most people experience less visible scarring. Without the discomfort of drains, people can manage their daily activities with less discomfort.
The combined lipo-abdominoplasty technique I use to sculpt and shape the tummy tuck eliminates the need for drains, and my patients can enjoy a much smoother recovery because of this.
Today’s modern advances have made plastic surgery much more accessible and recovery after surgery much easier. With the options of less invasive surgery and the convenience of drainless surgery, more and more people are experiencing less downtime, less discomfort and better results. It is important to keep in mind that mini-abdominoplasty recovery times can vary depending on the procedure you choose and your personal goals. Doing your research ahead of time and discussing your goals with a board-certified plastic surgeon in Bogota will ensure that you choose the right procedure for optimal results.
