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. 2021 Mar 1;86(3S Suppl 2):S229-S234.
doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000002639.

Abdominoplasty: My Preferred Techniques

Alejandro E Ramirez  1 , Tung-Ying Hsieh  2 , Juan P Cardenas  3 , William W Lao  4
Affiliations

Abdominoplasty: My Preferred Techniques

Alejandro E Ramirez et al. Ann Plast Surg. .

Abstract

Background: Abdominoplasty has been evolving since the 1960s with many technical innovations throughout the years. It has become one of the most frequent and common procedures done in aesthetic plastic surgery, with the ultimate goal of not only to remove the excess tissue in the abdominal area but also to achieve an aesthetic trunk silhouette.

Objective: The prime objective of this article was to describe our preferred approach for a full cosmetic abdominoplasty.

Methods: We summarized all the key technical aspects from our shared surgical approach for abdominoplasty. The article describes collective experiences from authors performing the surgery in South America, North America, and Asia.

Results: The key technical aspects identified were conservative muscle plication, customized excess tissue resection, and ultrasound-assisted liposuction to improve definition in the abdominal lines and body curves, combined with lipofilling. The aesthetic results are presented.

Conclusions: Abdominoplasty should be customized to every patient's anatomy and desired cosmetic outcome, taking into consideration all the anatomical areas surrounding the abdominal wall.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Anterior marking: the arrow head shows the initial abdominoplasty incision. The purple area corresponds to the predicted area of resection, although this will be customized, and the superior border is remarked after bending the operating table. The light blue area shows the area for deep liposuction. The green area shows the abdominal contour shadows planned for superficial liposuction.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Posterior marking: all areas for deep liposuction are marked. In green are marked areas for superficial liposuction. Zones for liposuction and fat transfer are also marked in the gluteal area.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Muscle plicature shows conservative rectus abdominal muscle plicature before lateral plicature in the semilunaris lines.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Result 1 month after surgery. (Case from Supplemental Digital Content). A, Anterior oblique view preoperative. B, Anterior oblique view postoperative.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Result 1 month after surgery. (Case from Supplemental Digital Content). A, Posterior oblique view preoperative. B, Posterior oblique view postoperative.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Result 3 months after surgery. A, Anterior oblique view preoperative. B, Anterior oblique view postoperative.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
Result 5 years after surgery. A, Preoperative photo. B, Result 5 years after surgery.
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 8
Result 6 months after surgery. A, Preoperative photo. B, Result, 6 months after surgery.
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 9
Result 1 year after surgery. A, Preoperative photo. B, Result, 1 year after surgery.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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