Post-bariatric abdominoplasty
Dr. Rodrigo Jorrat · Plastic surgeon · Buenos Aires · Lic. MN 122903Last updated: October 8, 2026After bariatric surgery, the abdomen is usually the first thing people want to resolve. Post-bariatric abdominoplasty combines removal of excess skin with repair of the abdominal wall, and it's planned with its own criteria: weaker tissues, nutritional history and, often, more than one stage.
Who it's for
Those who, with a stable weight after bariatric surgery, have an abdominal apron that gets in the way when moving, dressing or keeping the folds clean, and who also have a weak abdominal wall: the abdomen that “bulges” in profile.
How it's done
Excess skin and tissue are removed, the navel is repositioned and the diastasis is corrected by suturing the rectus muscles back together (sometimes with mesh if there's an associated hernia). Depending on the distribution of the excess it can be horizontal, fleur-de-lis (with an additional vertical scar) or combined with a 360 approach.
Scar and recovery
A low horizontal scar, plus a vertical one if fleur-de-lis is done. Hospital stay, compression garment, check-ups and early, careful mobilisation. In post-bariatric patients the skin has less strength because of nutrient absorption: I take that into account in the technique and discuss it beforehand, as it can influence healing.
What we discuss beforehand
Nutritional status (haemoglobin, protein), weight stability, your bariatric team's endorsement, which stage this is within the plan, and what scar each alternative involves.
The YouTube chapter on this topic
Real cases of this procedure
Patients I treated, published with their consent. Drag the divider to compare.
53 kg lost after gastric bypass
360 dermolipectomy, rectus plication with muscle volumisation, gluteoplasty with implants and liposuction with Retraction technology. See on Instagram
BeforeAfter360 dermolipectomy with muscle volumisation
With Retraction technology to support skin retraction on the abdomen and back. See on Instagram
BeforeAfterImages published with each patient's written consent. Results vary from person to person and are not a guarantee for other patients.
Frequently asked questions
How is it different from a conventional abdominoplasty?
The tissue and the planning. In post-bariatric patients there's more skin, less skin strength and, frequently, several areas to treat in stages.
What is the fleur-de-lis?
A vertical resection in addition to the horizontal one, for significant excess in the central and upper abdomen. It involves an additional vertical scar that must be discussed very clearly beforehand.
How long after bariatric surgery?
When your weight has been stable for a while and your bariatric and nutrition team endorse it. There is no timeline that fits everyone.
The information in this article is general and does not replace an individual evaluation.
From my Instagram
Cases and explanations I shared on my account, in Spanish. Tap to play.
A patient who lost 75 kilos after a gastric bypass and decided to complete her process by improving her contour. We performed a 360 dermolipectomy with volumisation, adding Retraction technology and the RAP technique to improve skin retraction and the final shape of the abdomen and back.
After losing 75 kilos, the excess skin was significant and caused daily discomfort. We performed a 360 dermolipectomy that removed those flaps and restored firmness to the skin.
After several pregnancies, many patients notice the abdomen no longer feels the same: distension, diastasis and a loss of firmness that doesn't always improve with exercise alone. In this case we combined 360 liposculpture, dermolipectomy, fat transfer to the buttocks and rectus plication.
