Tummy Tuck in Medellín

You may hear it called a tummy tuck or an abdominoplasty, and here in Colombia, abdominoplastia or dermolipectomía. It's the same surgery: it removes the extra skin and fat on the abdomen and, when needed, repairs separated muscles (diastasis). According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), a loose or protruding abdomen usually comes from pregnancy, aging, genetics, a previous surgery or major weight changes, and it can show up even if you're at a normal weight. The ASPS also makes clear that it isn't a substitute for weight loss or an exercise program.

The ASPS describes it this way: a horizontal incision is made between the pubic hairline and the belly button, and its length depends on how much extra skin there is. The skin is lifted, the weakened muscles are repaired, and the upper skin is pulled down so the excess can be removed. Because the skin shifts, a new opening is made for the belly button. The scar sits low, covered by underwear. If there's only a little extra skin, and only below the belly button, a mini tummy tuck is considered instead. Your surgeon decides which one is right for you when they examine you.

It's often combined with liposuction to define the waist, which many people call a lipoabdominoplasty. Depending on what you're looking for, other options are also considered:

• Moving that fat to your buttocks with a Brazilian butt lift (BBL).
• Breasts and abdomen together after pregnancy, in a mommy makeover.
• Removing skin from several areas, in stages, with body contouring after major weight loss.
• Liposuction alone, if you don't have extra skin and what bothers you is localized fat.

The more you add, the bigger the surgery. What gets combined is decided by your surgeon at your in-person consultation and confirmed with your pre-op tests.

According to the ASPS, the ideal candidate is in good health, at a stable weight, has realistic expectations and doesn't smoke. So, in general, it isn't the right time if:

• You plan to lose a lot of weight: the ASPS advises waiting. Weight comes first, for example with a medical weight-loss plan.
• You want more children: the ASPS also advises postponing it, and ideally you have surgery once you're no longer planning more pregnancies.
• You smoke and aren't going to quit before surgery.
• You expect to erase all your stretch marks: only the ones on the skin that gets removed can go away, or improve somewhat.

Every surgery has risks, and a tummy tuck is no exception. The ASPS lists, among others:

• Anesthesia risks.
• Bleeding, infection or fluid buildup (seroma).
• Deep vein thrombosis and heart or lung complications.
• Poor wound healing, skin loss or fat necrosis.
• Numbness or other changes in sensation, or persistent pain.
• Asymmetry, unfavorable scarring or skin that becomes loose again.
• A cosmetic result that isn't what you expected, or the need for revision surgery.

Before you decide, we go over each one with you, and you sign an informed consent form.

According to the ASPS, before surgery you get pre-op tests, stop smoking and review your medications, because aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements can increase bleeding. We tell you what to stop taking and what to bring, and you need an adult to stay with you the first night. You leave in a compression garment and, sometimes, with drains: thin tubes that remove any blood or fluid that builds up, as the ASPS explains. For the first week you walk slightly bent forward and keep activity light. You go home with clear instructions, and follow-up visits continue until you're discharged.