Sagging abdominal fat in women in their 50s can be improved with abdominoplasty.
Patient Registration Info
| Age | Weight | Height | BMI |
|---|---|---|---|
|
in their 50’s |
53kg |
163cm |
20 |
Surgical site
abdominoplasty, S-type, Triple lock, abdomen liposuction, pubic area
1400cc
In modern society, interest in appearance and self-care is continuously growing—not only among younger generations but also among middle-aged and older individuals.
It is becoming increasingly common for people in these age groups to seek various types of cosmetic procedures.
Recently, concerns about body contour changes that come with aging have become a major focus for many.
At our clinic, we’ve observed a noticeable increase in the number of women in their 40s and 50s—often years after childbirth—who are opting for abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery) to achieve a firmer, more toned abdomen.
As people enter middle age, the body’s basal metabolic rate tends to slow down. This makes it difficult to manage abdominal fat through diet and exercise alone.
Combined with skin laxity and sagging in the abdominal area, many eventually consider surgical solutions to restore a more youthful and tightened appearance.
Abdominoplasty is a body anti-aging procedure that directly removes sagging abdominal fat and tightens the area. It’s a surgery that has been gaining significant attention lately.
Let’s take a closer look at a real patient case to better understand the effectiveness and details of the procedure.
The abdominoplasty case we will be discussing today involves a patient in her mid-50s. She had previously given birth to two children via cesarean section.
This patient experienced significant loss of skin elasticity in the lower abdomen and was particularly concerned about abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti). However, she was less bothered by sagging or looseness in the upper abdominal area.
As the natural aging process progressed after childbirth, skin aging became more apparent. The abdominal skin also showed increasing laxity and sagging, and despite maintaining regular exercise and dieting efforts, these issues remained unresolved—ultimately leading her to decide on abdominoplasty and visit our clinic.
While the patient was not overly concerned about scarring after the procedure, she was curious about the drainage tubes that are typically worn for several days following surgery.
We took time to provide a thorough explanation regarding this.
In abdominoplasty, the degree of sagging in both the upper and lower abdomen and the extent of abdominal muscle separation affect the length of the incision and the area of tissue dissection. The surgical manipulation beneath the skin also varies depending on the individual case.
During this procedure, a certain amount of bleeding and fluid accumulation is expected. To prevent possible inflammation from fluid retention during recovery, patients are advised to wear drainage tubes.
These drains do not usually cause significant pain or discomfort. Medical staff monitor the amount of blood and fluid output daily and determine the appropriate time for removal based on this data.
To create a personalized surgical plan for abdominoplasty, we conducted a detailed analysis of the patient’s abdominal sagging and overall condition.
The evaluation revealed significant loss of skin elasticity throughout the abdomen, with notable diastasis (separation) of the rectus abdominis muscles concentrated in the lower abdominal area, causing the central abdominal wall to protrude.
To address these concerns, we proposed performing an S-type abdominoplasty, along with rectus muscle repair to restore abdominal wall integrity and improve contour.
In addition to abdominoplasty, we also planned to perform abdominal liposuction and mons pubis fat removal. By combining these procedures, we aimed to achieve a firmer and more refined body contour for the patient.
Let’s now compare the patient’s progress using photos taken before the surgery and six months after the procedure to visually assess the improvements.
Upon comparison, it is evident that the patient had significant abdominal skin laxity caused by childbirth and fluctuations in weight. The rectus abdominis muscles were separated, resulting in a bulging appearance, particularly in the lower abdomen.
Through abdominoplasty combined with abdominal liposuction, the entire front abdomen was reshaped into a smoother and firmer contour. The waistline from the back also appears noticeably slimmer.
In particular, the correction of the rectus muscles helped tighten the previously separated abdominal wall, creating a lifted and toned appearance that looks remarkably youthful for someone in her mid-50s.
Additionally, liposuction was performed from the abdomen down to the mons pubis area, further refining the body line. This enhanced the flatness of the lower abdomen and contributed to a more aesthetically pleasing and well-defined contour.
In this patient’s case, approximately six months have passed since the abdominoplasty, and she continues to show excellent recovery progress.
As with all abdominoplasty patients, she paid close attention to the healing of the incision site in the early stages of recovery. The initial redness has gradually subsided over time, and the scar is now blending in more naturally with the surrounding skin.
Notably, she followed the medical team’s post-operative care instructions diligently—consistently wearing silicone sheets and maintaining proper moisturization. As a result, even in her 50s, her scar has healed in a very stable and aesthetically pleasing manner.
Although scar healing after abdominoplasty can vary from person to person, consistent care according to medical guidance is essential for optimal recovery.
It is important to remember that regular follow-up visits and customized care plans are necessary after surgery to ensure a smooth and safe healing process.
