Abdominoplasty for Women Over 50

Abdominoplasty procedures are common in women over 50 who have a loss of skin elasticity due to age or weight fluctuations. The abdominoplasty procedure requires an incision from hip to hip. During the procedure, the skin is elevated from the abdominal wall and the borders of the rectus abdominis muscles are identified. The umbilical stalk remains on the body wall. The rectus muscles are then plicated in the midline of the abdomen. The plication tightens the abdominal muscles and restores the abdominal contour.

Any excess skin that then “re-drapes” over the lower abdomen is then excises. Drains are placed in the lower abdomen and usually remain in place for approximately one week to ten days.