Abdominoplasty in Korea – Case analysis correcting postpartum sagging belly and rectus muscle laxity | Lesarts Plastic Surgery
Patient Registration Info
| Age | Weight | Height | BMI |
|---|---|---|---|
|
40s |
50kg |
160cm |
21 |
Surgical site
Abdomen, M-Type, hip joint
3,100cc
Hip dip fat transfer (RT: 170cc / LT: 170cc)
After pregnancy and childbirth,
changes in the abdomen often feel
different from simply “gaining weight.”
Even when body weight remains the same,
the belly may protrude forward,
and the thinner skin may fold into wrinkles,
revealing direct changes in both
skin and muscle structure.
Some women naturally return to their
pre-pregnancy state through self-care,
but many experience issues such as
rectus diastasis or loss of skin elasticity
that lead to sagging and discomfort.
While a healthy diet and regular exercise
are important lifestyle habits,
such measures alone often cannot fully
correct these structural changes.
In many cases, a surgical approach
that repairs the skin, muscles, and abdominal wall
through proper medical assessment
is necessary to restore balance.
Today’s case features a woman
in her mid-40s, who had experienced
two natural childbirths.
After delivery, the patient showed
significant skin laxity in the abdomen,
with noticeable wrinkles and sagging
in the lower belly area.
Along with the sagging, she also struggled
with localized fat around the navel
and central lower abdomen.
This imbalance made her upper body
look heavier and caused ongoing stress
about her body shape.
Because diet and exercise alone
could not improve the skin laxity
and wrinkle issues,
she decided to undergo
an abdominoplasty at our clinic.
Through consultation, the patient’s abdomen
showed a clear loss of skin elasticity
across both the upper and lower areas.
In the lower abdomen, the skin was
sagging and deeply wrinkled,
with folds that created downward bulk.
The skin was overall thin and lacked tension,
and examination confirmed rectus diastasis.
Above the navel, the muscles provided
little support, making the abdominal wall
look pushed outward.
This imbalance created inconsistent elasticity
and volume across sections,
causing the abdominal line to look
uneven and disconnected.
Because sagging skin and weakened muscle support
were both present, the patient required not only
abdominal liposuction but also surgical correction
for long-term improvement.
1.M-Type Abdominoplasty
We planned an M-type abdominoplasty
to lift sagging skin from upper to lower abdomen,
and to tighten the rectus muscles,
restoring abdominal support.
The navel was reshaped vertically
for a natural look.
2.Abdominal Liposuction
To reduce excess subcutaneous fat
and refine the overall contour,
liposuction was performed together.
3.Hip Dip Fat Transfer
Because pelvic volume appeared lacking,
we transferred some harvested fat
to the hip dip area,
enhancing curves and creating
a smoother transition from waist to hips.
Now, let’s review the changes and recovery
at 4 months post-op.
Before abdominoplasty, the central abdomen
had severely decreased elasticity,
with sagging skin in the lower abdomen
folding into deep wrinkles below the navel.
The rectus muscles were loosened,
causing the abdominal center
to bulge forward.
In addition, fat accumulation in the abdomen
and lack of pelvic volume made the connection
between waist and pelvis unnatural,
creating a blunt transition
between upper and lower body.
After 4 months following combined procedures—
abdominoplasty, abdominal liposuction,
and hip dip fat transfer—
the sagging abdominal skin was tightened,
the rectus muscles were firmly corrected,
and the abdominal front appeared
flat and refined.
The curve flowing below the waist
also connected naturally,
transforming into a well-centered,
firm waistline with balanced proportions.
From the oblique view before surgery,
the lower abdomen showed sagging skin and fat,
which folded into wrinkles
and created a heavy, downward appearance.
After abdominoplasty, the sagging area
was lifted and tightened,
a defined waistline appeared,
and the overall body curve became
smooth and well-refined.
The change when bending forward
can also be clearly seen in the photos.
Before abdominoplasty, the lower abdominal skin
sagged and created deep wrinkles
each time she bent forward.
Fat and skin shifted downward,
giving a heavy and uncomfortable impression.
After abdominoplasty with rectus plication,
the skin was firmly tightened,
and the rectus muscles reinforced.
Even when bending, no folds or bulges appeared,
leaving a smooth and stable abdominal line.
From the side view, improvement of the
protruding abdominal wall becomes clearer.
Before abdominoplasty, bulging and sagging
above and below the navel were prominent.
The abdomen looked uneven and heavy,
failing to create a smooth or firm contour.
After surgery, the skin was tightened,
the abdomen flattened, and the line refined.
The side profile appeared slim and stable,
without the impression of weakness or bulging.
This patient’s abdominal protrusion
was not just due to fat accumulation,
but caused mainly by muscle laxity
and loss of skin elasticity.
Therefore, surgery required not only
skin lifting but also rectus repair,
liposuction, and fat transfer
to restore balance and address
the functional problems together.
The patient actively followed post-op care,
and after returning to daily life,
continued self-care to maintain stability.
With ongoing scar and skin elasticity care,
she is expected to maintain
a smooth abdominal line long-term.
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