Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a procedure that improves quality of life. Abdominoplasty is often combined with liposuction of the love handles. With the method we have developed, the procedure is quick and safe, and recovery is as quick as possible.

Who is eligible for abdominal repair surgery?

Abdominal repair is a common surgery for women who have given birth. Other typical reasons include a sagging abdomen after significant weight loss or dieting. Abdominal repair can help if excess weight has caused overlapping transverse "rolls" to form in the abdominal area, with the lowest roll covering the groin and pubic hair.

Abdominal muscle separation after pregnancy is very common and causes chronic back pain. Abdominal tightening surgery corrects abdominal muscle separation and the umbilical hernia that often accompanies it. At the same time, excess hanging tissue is removed. Liposuction of the flanks can also be performed in conjunction with the surgery.

How is abdominal tightening performed?

Sairaala KL uses WAL method which ensures a safe surgery, quick recovery, and after-effects and complications are rare. In surgery performed under general or spinal anesthesia, all loose and flaccid tissue below the navel is removed. We recommend spinal anaesthesia, in which case the spinal catheter is left in place overnight. Anaesthetics can be administered through the catheter to treat the worst pain immediately after surgery. Anaesthesia can be combined with general anaesthesia or sedation according to the patient's wishes. 

After pregnancy and childbirth, many women experience chronic back pain. This condition is caused by separated abdominal muscles and is usually corrected after abdominal surgery. 

The rectus abdominis muscles are often separated from the midline by several centimeters. The muscles are sutured together in two layers during surgery. The surgery takes just over an hour, and the patient spends the following night in the recovery room recovering from the surgery.

To minimize bleeding during surgery, we use a water jet retractor to spray anaesthetic and adrenaline, which constricts blood vessels, onto the tissue. This results in very little bleeding during surgery compared to traditional techniques.

The most common problem after surgery is fluid accumulation in the tissues, which requires repeated punctures. Since 2004, we have been using a technique in which the abdominal covers are sutured from the inside, under the abdominal skin and fat, to the underlying muscle membrane. We have not punctured a single seroma, or fluid cavity, since 2004.

How should I prepare for abdominal repair surgery and follow-up care?

The worst swelling and bruising will disappear within 2-3 weeks. Usually, after 2-3 weeks, you will be feeling well and able to return to normal work. It is recommended that you wear a support vest for at least four weeks after the surgery: the vest prevents swelling and pain and supports the abdominal muscles. The stitches in the surgical wound dissolve on their own.

The length of sick leave after surgery varies between 2 and 4 weeks, depending on the nature of the work and the extent of the surgery. According to our own research, abdominal wall repair not only improves quality of life but also increases satisfaction with one's own body. Back pain is alleviated or disappears completely after abdominal muscle repair. The most common comment after surgery is: "Why didn't I do this sooner?"

The surgery can also be combined with breast correction: reduction, lift, or augmentation, as needed.

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Read more about this topic on our blog:

"I would like to have tummy tuck surgery, but will my weight prevent that?"

After weight loss

Tightening the abdominal midline

Abdominal reconstruction

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Our own publications on the subject:

1. Abdominoplasty improves quality of life, psychological distress, and eating disorder symptoms: a prospective study. K. Saariniemi, A. Salmi, H. Peltoniemi, M. Helle, P. Charpentier, H. Kuokkanen. Plastic Surgery International. 2014, Article ID 197232, 4 pages

2. Tension suture technique combined with lidocaine-adrenaline-saline infiltration decreases complications in abdominoplasty. M. Helle, A. Salmi, K. Saariniemi, H. Kuokkanen. SJS 2011; i101(4): 297-300

3. Tension Suture Technique Combined with Lidocaine-Adrenaline-Saline Infiltration Decreases Complications and Promotes Recovery in Abdominoplasty. Asko Salmi, Di Giuseppe, M.A. Shiffman (eds.), Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of the Abdomen, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-20004-0_34

4. What is aesthetic surgery? Salmi, A., Saarinen, E., Duodecim 2017/22