Tummy tuck in Korea: improvement of lower abdominal overhang above a C-section scar after 2.5 months
Patient Registration Info
| Age | Weight | Height | BMI |
|---|---|---|---|
|
30s |
50kg |
161cm |
19 |
Surgical site
Surgical site : Abdomen, M-Type, muscle repair, umbilicus correction｜ liposuction aspirate volume : 2,000cc
Abdominoplasty is a procedure designed
to remove excess, sagging abdominal skin
and create a smoother, firmer,
and more lifted abdominal contour.
However, the surgery involves
much more than simply
pulling the skin tighter
and removing excess tissue.
In most cases,
correction of the underlying structures
beneath the skin
is performed at the same time.
These deeper adjustments
often play a critical role in restoring
both the appearance and function
of the abdominal wall.
As a result, abdominoplasty can address
not only loose skin,
but also structural issues such as
weakened abdominal support,
stretched connective tissue,
and changes that commonly occur after pregnancy
or significant weight fluctuations.
In recent years,
as the rate of C-section deliveries
has continued to increase,
more patients have chosen to undergo
abdominoplasty surgery
not only to address excess skin,
but also to improve
tissue irregularities, contour deformities,
and step-offs around the C-section scar.
The patient featured in this case
also did not have
an excessive amount of abdominal fat.
However, following
two C-section deliveries,
she was left with persistent
lower abdominal sagging,
stretch marks,
and a noticeable contour irregularity
around the C-section scar.
To address these concerns simultaneously,
the patient underwent
abdominoplasty surgery
to restore a smoother, firmer,
and more balanced abdominal contour.
In this case,
following C-section delivery,
the patient’s abdomen
was unable to return
to its pre-pregnancy condition
and remained altered due to
significant loss of elasticity.
The skin sagging that appeared
to be concentrated in the lower abdomen
was not simply a problem
limited to the lower abdominal skin.
Instead,
the loss of elasticity had begun
in the upper abdomen
and gradually descended downward,
leading to the diagnosis that
both the upper and lower abdomen
required comprehensive correction.
In addition,
not only had the skin stretched
during pregnancy,
but the rectus muscles and
supporting abdominal fascia
had also become weakened and separated.
As a result,
the abdominal wall was no longer able
to provide sufficient support,
creating noticeable abdominal protrusion
despite the patient not having
a large amount of abdominal fat.
Therefore,
the surgical plan included
an M-Type Full Abdominoplasty
combined with Rectus Muscle Repair
to restore abdominal wall support.
Following removal of the excess skin,
umbilicoplasty (navel reshaping)
was also planned,
along with abdominal liposuction
to further refine
the waistline contour.
Let us now review
the before-and-after abdominoplasty photos
to evaluate the surgical outcome
and degree of transformation.
At approximately 2.5 months after abdominoplasty,
significant swelling, BioBond-related firmness,
and redness along the scar line
are still expected to be present.
However, despite being in the early stages of recovery,
the abdomen has already transformed into
a firmer, flatter, and more defined shape
with improved waistline contour.
The incision line is also healing well
and continues to settle
in a stable and favorable manner.
Prior to surgery,
the patient had struggled with
multiple concerns involving the anterior abdomen,
including lower abdominal sagging,
contour irregularities above the C-section scar,
stretch marks,
and wrinkling around the navel area.
These concerns have been significantly improved,
creating a much cleaner
and more balanced abdominal appearance.
One particularly impressive change
is the improvement in the waistline.
Before surgery,
the waist appeared widened diagonally
toward both sides due to
loss of abdominal wall support.
Following rectus muscle repair,
the abdominal wall was tightened and reinforced,
allowing the waistline to become
more defined and structured,
while creating a smoother
and more refined abdominal contour overall.
The following photos compare
the abdomen before surgery
and while bending forward.
The excess skin laxity
that became more pronounced with movement,
particularly below the navel,
has been effectively corrected.
The contour irregularity that previously formed
above the C-section scar
has also been significantly improved,
creating a smoother transition
throughout the lower abdomen.
In addition,
the abdominal wall that once protruded forward,
contributing to both skin sagging
and a loose, weakened appearance,
has been reinforced and restored
through abdominoplasty surgery.
As a result,
the anterior abdominal contour
now appears noticeably firmer,
more stable,
and better supported,
even during changes in posture and movement.
The improvement is particularly evident
when bending forward,
where the abdomen maintains
a smoother and more structured shape
without the pronounced folding
or collapse seen before surgery.
Although the patient did not have
a large amount of abdominal fat,
the sagging skin concentrated
below the navel area
created an uneven and irregular contour,
preventing the waistline
from appearing smooth and well-defined.
As a result,
the issue was not simply excess fat,
but a combination of
skin laxity, weakened abdominal support,
and contour distortion.
Through a combination of
abdominoplasty,
abdominal wall repair,
and abdominal liposuction,
the patient achieved not only
improved skin tightness and support,
but also a smoother,
more refined waistline.
The overall abdominal contour
was transformed dramatically,
creating a firmer, flatter,
and more balanced silhouette
that better complemented
the patient’s natural body proportions.
Abdominoplasty can be considered
a form of body anti-aging surgery.
As the skin of the body
gradually loses elasticity,
the overall silhouette often appears older,
regardless of actual age.
For this reason,
restoring skin firmness
and refining body contours
can be viewed as a way of
turning back the clock
on the appearance of the physique.
In other words,
improved elasticity and a smoother contour
often create the impression of
a younger-looking body shape.
This effect is particularly noticeable
in the photos above,
where the difference in overall appearance
before and after abdominoplasty surgery
is quite striking.
Beyond the physical contour change,
there is also a visible difference
in the impression of age and vitality
projected by the abdominal silhouette.
The patient’s own post-abdominoplasty selfies
clearly demonstrate the difference
in everyday clothing.
Before surgery,
the anterior abdominal contour
appeared uneven, sagging,
and protruded outward.
After surgery,
the abdominal line has become
firmer and more refined,
with a noticeably smoother contour overall.
In particular,
the contour step-off that previously formed
above the C-section scar,
where excess skin overlapped,
has been effectively corrected,
creating a much more seamless appearance.
Although these photos were taken
at approximately 3 months after surgery,
a stage when residual swelling
and tissue firmness are still expected,
the overall improvement in
abdominal contour and body proportion
is already clearly visible.
At this stage of recovery,
patients typically begin
scar laser treatments
and may gradually resume
exercise and body-conditioning programs.
For this reason,
the patient was advised that
carefully following the recommended
post-operative management plan
and recovery guidelines
would further enhance the final outcome.
With continued healing,
ongoing scar management,
and appropriate lifestyle habits,
the results are expected to become
even more refined and satisfying over time.
If you feel frustrated by
ongoing body contour concerns
despite continuous efforts at
dieting, exercise, or previous procedures,
we encourage you to visit
Lesarts Plastic Surgery
for a comprehensive consultation.
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#FullAbdominoplasty
#MTypeAbdominoplasty
#RectusDiastasisRepair
#AbdominalWallRepair
#CSectionScarRevision
#PostPregnancyBody
#LowerAbdominalSagging
#AbdominalLiposuction
#Umbilicoplasty
#TummyTuck
#BodyContouring
#PostpartumTransformation
#AbdominalContour
#LesartsPlasticSurgery
