Abdominoplasty in Coimbra or Lisbon

Plastic Surgeon - Face-to-face consultations in Coimbra and Lisbon

Combine skin removal with waist definition. Discreet scarring.

What is Abdominoplasty?

This surgical intervention is performed with the aim of remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen. It can also be done simultaneously, strengthening the muscles of the abdominal wall.

With this surgery, the contour of the abdomen can be improved, making it proportional to the rest of the body and make the waist look slimmer.

To find out more about this belly fat and skin reduction surgery, contact us to book an assessment appointment in Coimbra (Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Centre) or Lisbon (MYFACE clinic).

We also offer online consultations / teleconsultations, an advantageous option for those who live in other cities in Portugal (Porto, Aveiro, Leiria, etc.) and which is still very much in demand by patients who live in other countries.

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Indications for abdominal plastic surgery

Who is this type of surgery suitable for?

This surgery is indicated when there is a excess skin and fat on the abdomenthat is out of proportion to the rest of the body.

It can also be carried out after large weight losses (like the bariatric patients) or in women who have sagging, stretch marks and excess skin after pregnancy.

In all cases, it can be combined with liposuction (lipo-abdominoplasty).

Abdominoplasty is not a way of treating obesity. Nevertheless, in morbidly obese patients (extreme cases of excess weight), can be carried out to improve their living conditions, their hygiene or to facilitate the start of treatment for obesity.

Expectations

It's important to have realistic expectations of abdominal surgery. Surgery can offer significant improvements, but there are limits to what can be achieved.

This is a surgical procedure that aims to improve your physical appearance and boost your self-esteem.

However, the new image you will acquire will not in itself change all the other areas of your life (professional, family, social), so it is essential to realise this.

In fact, emotional balance is essential when undergoing surgery, especially if it is cosmetic in nature.

Discussing it openly with a qualified surgeon can help you set achievable goals and understand the possible results.

Before and After Cases - Abdominoplasty

Frontal image of a woman after combined mastopexy with prostheses and abdominoplasty, showing rejuvenation of the breasts and reduction in the abdomen with more defined contours and discreet scars, one year after the procedures.

Before and after photo of a female patient who underwent an abdominal dermolipectomy with transposition of the navel, seen from the front, showing the result one year after surgery.

Before and after photo of a female patient, showing the left side, with a lateral view, one year after having an abdominal dermolipectomy with transposition of the umbilicus, showing the improvements in the appearance and contour of the abdomen.

Frontal image of a female patient showing the before and after of a dermolipectomy, showing the significant reduction of skin and fat in the abdominal region, with a noticeable improvement in the contour of the abdomen and a smoother, more proportional appearance.

Image before and after abdominoplasty in a female patient, seen from the left side, showing a significant reduction in excess abdominal skin and fat and improved body contour.

Before and after clinical image of a woman who underwent an abdominal dermolipectomy, showing the right side view, showing the significant reduction of skin and fat in the abdomen, resulting in a more defined and harmonious body contour.

Right side view of a successful case of body remodelling through abdominoplasty combined with liposuction, showing the visible transformation 6 months after surgery.

Left lateral image of before and after an abdominoplasty accompanied by liposuction, showing the significant change in the patient's body six months after the surgery.

Comparative frontal image of a patient before and after abdominal plastic surgery with liposuction, showing the result obtained 6 months after the procedure.

Right side image showing the favourable result of an abdominoplasty combined with liposuction, with the patient one month after the surgery.

Left side image showing the before and after of a case of abdominoplasty with liposuction, showing the positive result 1 month after surgery.

Front image of a clinical case of abdominoplasty combined with liposuction, showing the before and after comparison, with the result visible 1 month after the surgical procedure.

Before and after image of an abdominal dermolipectomy performed on a female patient, shown at right lateral angle, showing the noticeable reduction in sagging and excess skin on the abdomen two months after the combined dermolipectomy and liposuction procedure.

Left lateral image of a female patient showing the before and after of a dermolipectomy, showing the significant removal of sagging skin and fat from the abdomen two months after the surgical intervention.

Frontal image of a patient before and after a body contouring procedure, specifically an abdominal dermolipectomy and liposculpture, showing a flatter belly and more defined body contours.

Abdominoplasty and liposuction clinical case before and after, front position, performed by Dr Ricardo Carvalho.

Abdominoplasty and liposuction clinical case before and after, position 3/4, performed by Dr Ricardo Carvalho.

Frontal image of a female patient showing the results before and after breast augmentation surgery and abdominal dermolipectomy, highlighting the improvement in breast contour, with 255cc round prostheses, and reduction of excess abdominal skin, with discreet scars in the breast crease and a small vertical one on the abdomen.

Left lateral image of a woman before and after abdominoplasty and breast augmentation surgery, showing a flabby abdomen and excess skin pre-surgery and an improved breast and abdomen contour post-surgery, with round breast implants and discreet scars hidden by the breast crease and underwear.

Before and after image of a female patient seen from the left side, showing the result of a combined breast augmentation surgery with 255cc round prostheses and dermolipectomy, showing an improvement in the contour of the abdomen and breasts, with minimally visible scars.

Before and after plastic surgery on a female patient, showing the right side and lateral angle; before, with a flabby abdomen and excess skin, and after, post-surgery breast augmentation with 255cc round implants and abdominal dermolipectomy, showing improvement in body contour and discreet scars under clothing.

Before and after image of abdominoplasty in a female patient, showing the left side at a lateral angle, where we can see the correction of abdominal diastasis, the removal of excess skin and the reduction of abdominal fat, with visible results 18 months after the procedure.

Before and after image of an abdominoplasty on a female patient, showing the left side at a lateral angle, where we can see the correction of abdominal diastasis, removal of excess skin and aspiration of fat, resulting in a more defined and aesthetically pleasing abdominal silhouette 18 months after the operation.

Frontal image of a female patient before and 18 months after an abdominoplasty, showing the correction of abdominal diastasis, the removal of excess skin and the reduction of fat in the abdomen.

Before and after image of a mommy makeover® surgery, showing a woman from the front, highlighting the results of an abdominoplasty on abdominal definition and contour.

Before and after image of a female patient in left lateral view, showing the results of a dermolipectomy performed as part of the Mommy Makeover® procedure, focusing on remodelling and improving the abdominal contour.

See more clinical cases

Note: The images shown on this page are real examples of treatments carried out by Dr Ricardo CarvalhoThese are published with the prior, free and informed consent of the users involved, respecting the rules on the protection of personal data and the right to an image.

It is important to note that results may vary from person to person, depending on individual conditions and the clinical assessment carried out. These images are not a guarantee of similar results in other cases.

The decision to carry out any treatment should be made after a personalised medical consultation and assessment, ensuring that the procedure is suited to your specific needs and conditions.

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Types of Abdominoplasty

Classic abdominoplasty

This type of approach is indicated in cases where there is a lot of excess skin and fat. In these cases, the navel transposition (and if the rectus abdominis muscles sutures are also made to bring them closer).

Circumferential abdominoplasty

It is indicated in the most serious cases, where there are also excess skin and fat in the lower torso (back and sides)).

Mini-abdominoplasty

This surgery is indicated for people who are close to the ideal weight for their height and have a small amounts of excess skin, fat and sagging in the lower abdomen.

How is it realised?

It is performed under general anaesthesia, with a hospital stay of 24 to 48 hours.

Longer hospital stays are sometimes necessary, especially for very overweight patients and those who have had a large amount of skin and fat removed.

There are various types of tummy tuck surgery, depending on how much excess skin and fat you have.

In all cases, it can be combined with liposuction (lipo-abdominoplasty).

The stages of tummy tuck surgery in the operating theatre usually include:

Anaesthesia: The patient receives general or local anaesthesia with sedation to ensure comfort during surgery.
Incision: A horizontal incision is made above the pubic region, and another may be made around the navel, depending on the extent of the surgery.
Removal of Excess Skin and Fat: The surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal region.
Abdominal muscle repositioning: Weakened muscles are approximated and sutured to strengthen the abdominal wall and slim the waist.
Incision closure: The skin is stretched downwards, and the incisions are sutured. A new hole can be created for the navel.

These stages can vary depending on the specific case and the technique used by the surgeon.

Scarring and recovery after a tummy tuck

Scars

Like any surgery, it cannot be performed without scars.

Despite this, the latest techniques make it easy to hide the scar so that it isn't visible when you wear underwear or a swimsuit. They also become less obvious over time.

The size of the scar is proportional to the excess skin and fat and the sagging skin. The greater the excess skin, the longer the scar will be. Your plastic surgeon will be able to advise you on the best way to treat your scars.

Recovery:

Complete recovery can take several weeks, with limitations on physical activity.
The patient is usually discharged between 1 and 2 days after surgery and can recover in the comfort of their own home. Only in cases where a large amount of skin and fat is removed may more days of hospitalisation be necessary.
We recommend wearing compression garments for 1 to 2 months to prevent oedema ("swelling") and bruising.
It is also advisable to carry out manual lymphatic drainage to speed up recovery, improve comfort and reduce the oedema and fibrosis associated with liposuction. A lymphatic drainage should start 3 to 4 days after surgery. We recommend that you have 3 treatments in the first week, 2 treatments in the second week and 1 treatment a week from the third week onwards.
All patients are prevented from the risk of thrombosis with peri-operative measures and with medication after discharge from the clinic.
It is also recommended that patients move early.

Why choose Dr Ricardo?

In his initial consultation, the Dr Ricardo Carvalho will listen carefully to you to understand what you hope to achieve with this surgery: your goals, preferences, doubts and fears so that you can make an informed decision about your surgery. He will also carry out a thorough assessment.

He is a plastic surgeon with solid training and vast experience, totally dedicated to achieving natural and harmonious results, as illustrated by his several clinical cases (before and after).

Graduated from the University of Coimbra, he specialised in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (professional certificate no. 44167, from the University of Coimbra). Medical Association).

Dr Ricardo Carvalho uses the operating theatre at the SANFIL clinic in Coimbra, which is ERS-certified and has a supervised recovery area.

Following the recommendations of the Portuguese Medical Association and the Portuguese Society of Plastic Surgery (SPCPRE), Dr Ricardo Carvalho operates with a full team. We believe that the presence of multiple specialists in the operating theatre is a fundamental pillar of safety. In all surgeries, the team is made up of:

Dr Ricardo Carvalho (Principal Plastic Surgeon);
A second assistant plastic surgeon;
An anaesthetist (present throughout the procedure);
Operating theatre nursing team.

Portrait of Dr Ricardo Carvalho, a plastic surgeon working in Coimbra and Lisbon, wearing a dark blue suit and tie with a fine pattern. He has his arms crossed and is smiling, with a black background.

Should I consider abdominal surgery?

Yes, if:

has sagging and excess skin on the abdomen after significant weight loss or pregnancy.
exercise and diet can't solve abdominal flab.
are looking to improve their abdominal contour and have realistic expectations about the results of the surgery.

It is essential to consult a qualified plastic surgeon to assess the situation individually.

Summary

Surgery time

Absence from work

1 week

Hospitalisation

1 day

Bathing

From day 1

Mobility

From day 1

Exercises

After 6 weeks

Use of compression garments

6 weeks

Sexual activity

After 4 weeks

Sleeping on your back

4 weeks

Total Recovery

6 weeks

Driving

After 1 week

Healing

After 2 weeks

Observations

These are approximate times and may vary according to each patient.
Strictly follow your doctor's instructions for a safe and successful recovery.
Don't hesitate to ask questions or report any unusual symptoms to your surgeon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the adverse effects of abdominal surgery?

The most frequent adverse effects are transient and disappear spontaneously. The most common are ecchymosis (bruising) and oedema ("swelling"). Bruising usually disappears within 2 to 3 weeks and oedema progressively improves over the first 4 weeks.

In addition to these, there is often a feeling of tightness in the abdomen (especially if the muscle wall is strengthened), a feeling of numbness (which gradually improves over 4 to 6 weeks) or small irregularities in the skin, which will fade over time.

It's also usual to feel more tired and restricted in your movements the first time you get out of bed, so you should do it gradually and with help.

When can you resume your daily activity/routine after surgery?

The return to daily routine depends on the characteristics of the patient, the type of activity and the extent of the surgery.

Everyone is advised to get out and about early, no later than the day after surgery. Most patients return to work 3 to 6 weeks after the operation, although a period of 2 months is recommended before resuming more intense physical exercise.

In fact, it's important to get up early and move around to help reduce oedema and reduce the risk of thrombosis.

Is surgery to remove skin and fat from the abdomen safe?

Like any surgery, a tummy tuck is not without its risks.

So the first step is to consult a plastic surgeon who is registered with the Portuguese Medical Association (www.ordemdosmedicos.pt) and the Portuguese Society of Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (www.spcpre.org.pt).

In addition, you should choose a clinic with a suitable environment for the consultation and surgery.

It's also important to choose the right time to have the surgery, whether socially, personally or professionally.

You should therefore talk openly with your doctor, ask any questions you may have, clarify your goals and expectations and hear about the possible results, the necessary post-operative care and possible complications.

Why should you always have a check-up with your surgeon?

This type of procedure is not just a trip to the operating theatre.

This is an indispensable part, but not the only one, of a process that begins with the preoperative consultation and continues in the postoperative period with rehabilitation care.

During the consultation, before the surgery, all doubts are answered and the possible results, risks and complications that may occur are explained. It is also explained what the recovery will be like and the recommended post-operative care.

Does abdominoplasty help you lose weight?

It is not a weight loss procedure, but it can improve body contour.

Is it possible to have an abdominoplasty with liposuction?

Yes, they are often combined for better aesthetic results.

Is it necessary to wear a post-operative girdle?

Yes, it is generally recommended to wear a compression belt to aid recovery.

How much does a tummy tuck cost?

As far as a tummy tuck is concerned, it depends on each individual case.

For reference, prices start at €6,900, but the final price can only be determined following a valuation.

Please contact us via the Contact Form to get a quote tailored to your circumstances.