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Everyone wants to have a slim figure and look good, but not everyone succeeds. Moreover, sometimes getting rid of excess weight causes a number of aesthetic problems, including excess skin on the tummy and flabby anterior abdominal wall. And if exercise and other procedures do not help correct these defects and get rid of the uncomfortable "skin apron", the only way out is surgery. Abdominoplasty helps to get rid of excess sagging skin. According to experts, this is one of the most effective techniques to improve body contours.

Panorama.am spoke with microsurgeon Arthur Mambreyan, head of the Department of Orthopedics and Plastic Surgery of the Mikayelyan Institute of Surgery, about the features of this aesthetic surgery.

Panorama.am: What is abdominoplasty and when should this method be used?

Arthur Mambreyan: Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to correct deformities of the anterior abdominal wall, remove sagging skin and excess fat. Most often they are attributed to rapid weight loss, age-related changes, childbirth, as well as various diseases which cause a significant weight loss. This surgical procedure is purely aesthetic in nature and is one of the most optimal methods of correcting abdominal abnormalities.

Panorama.am: Are underlying health conditions taken into account in abdominoplasty?

Arthur Mambreyan: Of course. Contraindications to abdominoplasty include diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome as well as a number of other diseases in which the surgery is not recommended. In fact, abdominoplasty is quite a complex surgical procedure.

The surgery should be performed by a specialist who has many years of experience and knows certain nuances that are necessary for a successful procedure.

Panorama.am: Is there a certain size of the abdominal muscle laxity, which is an indication for abdominoplasty?

Arthur Mambreyan: This is decided by patients. If they don’t like the appearance of their abdomen, they can turn to an aesthetic surgeon.

Panorama.am: Are complications possible in the postoperative period?

Arthur Mambreyan: Common complications include thromboembolism, fat embolism, wound inflammation and formation of rough scars, which can disfigure the patient's body and do more harm than good.

As I have already said, this is a complex surgery, so it is necessary to know all indications and contraindications and inform the patient about all possible cases when complications may arise.

As a matter of fact, people recover quickly in the postoperative period, simply there are certain rules that must be observed. In particular, in the first few months you should avoid physical exertion and follow a strict diet. After three months, you can already exercise, but you will have to follow a diet for the rest of your life.

At the same time, I must say that there are a lot of people seeking such a surgery.

Panorama.am: In other words, is it necessary to follow a special diet after abdominoplasty?

Arthur Mambreyan: It’s a must. If the surgery is successful, but the patient does not follow a diet and maintain a heathy lifestyle, it can be considered ineffective.

Panorama.am: How to avoid deformities of the anterior abdominal wall?

Arthur Mambreyan: First of all, a person should lead a healthy lifestyle, monitor concomitant diseases that also cause skin and fat folds, excess skin, subcutaneous and fatty tissues. Of course, there are diseases in which people are not to blame, there is a genetic predisposition, but if they take good care of themselves, anterior abdominal wall deformities can be avoided.

Panorama.am: What’s the difference between abdominoplasty and liposuction?

Arthur Mambreyan: It’s all about methodology, they complement each other. Liposuction may be required after abdominoplasty or vice versa.

Incidentally, the surgical procedure is most commonly sought after the age of 40. Women are 10 times more likely to use it than men.