Abdominal Lift Surgery: 3-Month Results for Post-Pregnancy and Post-Childbirth Belly Sagging
Patient Registration Info
| Age | Weight | Height | BMI |
|---|---|---|---|
|
in their 30s |
65kg |
163cm |
24 |
Surgical site
abdominoplasty, M-type, Triple lock, Navel Correction, Abdominal Liposuction, Fat Grafting, bra line
3600cc
right : 170cc / left 180cc
Abdominal Liposuction + Abdominal Lift Surgery + Rectus Abdominis Plication: Comparison Before and After 3 Months
Sagging belly fat is a body shape change commonly experienced by individuals who have gone through pregnancy and childbirth or those of an older age.
However, this issue can also occur in cases of severe obesity, where the abdominal wall and skin have been stretched for a long time. As a result, after losing belly fat through dieting, the stretched skin often does not return to its original position and remains saggy.
In such cases, sagging can be observed even in younger individuals, including those in their 20s, regardless of gender.
In particular, belly sagging caused by pregnancy and obesity often involves not only stretched skin but also the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles. This makes it difficult for the body to recover naturally, so abdominal lifting surgery is required to correct the skin and the underlying stretched tissue.
Let’s take a closer look at this patient’s case to explain in more detail.
The patient, who had a history of abdominal obesity, experienced repeated yo-yo effects despite following exercise and dieting plans for weight loss. Additionally, after experiencing childbirth, she had observed a loss of skin elasticity in the lower abdomen, abdominal wall sagging, and stretch marks across the entire abdomen.
However, despite having had two births, the patient did not have significant separation of the ribcage or a protruding chest. It was anticipated that abdominal liposuction, along with bra line liposuction, could help create a defined waistline. By performing abdominal lifting surgery to correct the sagging belly and stretched abdominal wall, it was expected that her waistline could be improved.
Therefore, we planned to use liposuction to target the accumulated fat in the abdomen and bra line, while performing medium-type abdominal lifting surgery to remove the excess skin from the sagging belly. Additionally, the stretched rectus abdominis muscles would be corrected using the triple-lock plication technique.
The goal was not only to address the visible sagging but also to correct the underlying causes that pushed and sagged the abdominal line. We expected this to provide a corset-like effect.
Additionally, since the patient underwent a medium-type abdominal lifting surgery, the dissection was carried up to above the belly button. The skin with reduced elasticity and stretch marks were removed, and during the suturing process, a belly button repositioning surgery was performed to move the belly button to a more appropriate location.
Before the surgery, the belly button was slightly positioned to the right, so it was carefully moved toward the center to create a more balanced overall proportion.
Furthermore, the fat removed from the abdomen was grafted into the hip area through hip fat grafting, which helped to create a smoother curve connecting the waist to the lower body, giving a more ideal appearance.
The following is a comparison photo taken before the abdominal lifting surgery and three months after the procedure.
As seen in the front view before and after the abdominal lift surgery, the excessive abdominal fat and stretched skin have been removed, resulting in a slimmer and more defined waistline.
The changes reflect the removal of abdominal obesity and the effects of repeated yo-yo dieting before pregnancy, as well as the stretch marks caused by childbirth. The stretched skin was pulled and removed during the surgery.
Additionally, the belly button, which was slightly positioned to the right, was centered, and through belly button repositioning surgery, it was shaped vertically, creating the effect of a more slender waist.
Before the surgery, the belly button appeared lower due to the loss of skin elasticity. However, it was corrected to the center and upward within the range of the belly button stalk, which resulted in a more slender waist and a longer-looking leg effect.
The sagging belly has been neatly lifted through the abdominal lift surgery.
Before the surgery, the excess sagging belly fat and skin gave the body a thick, heavy appearance with a downward sag. After the surgery, the belly has been improved into a firm, lifted shape with no sagging, creating a more toned and elastic abdominal contour.
In the case of abdominal lift surgery scars, at the 3-month mark, some redness is inevitable. Typically, it takes around 18-24 months for the scars to fade during the recovery period.
In this patient’s case, although some redness is visible, the scars are healing well without any raised or uneven areas.
Since recovery speed for abdominal lift scars varies from person to person, it is important to follow the medical team’s guidance on care methods and check-up schedules for a faster and more stable recovery.
After the abdominal lift surgery, this patient not only received scar care bands and laser treatments but also visited the Slim Center for additional weight loss.
Through systematic check-ups to assess her health, we provided customized treatments and explained a diet plan designed to minimize yo-yo effects rather than promoting rapid weight loss.
Since the patient was satisfied with the results of both the abdominal lift surgery and liposuction, we explained that focusing solely on the number of pounds lost could lead to the same yo-yo effect she experienced in the past.
We emphasized the importance of gradually increasing exercise, improving habits, and slowly losing and maintaining weight, in line with her body’s recovery speed, while continuing to consult with the medical team.
