Abdominoplasty, also known as tummy tuck, involves the surgical removal of excess skin and abdominal fat. It is part of the group of body-contouring operations, which also includes Fat Removal procedures (liposculpture, liposuction), other Skin-Tightening procedures (arm, thigh and buttock lifts) and Muscle enhancing procedures (calf, buttock and pectoral implants, and abdominal six-pack etching).

There are several variations of abdominoplasty:

• Mini-Abdominoplasty, in which excess skin and fat above the pubic bone is removed. The umbilicus is left intact.
• Standard Abdominoplasty, in which excess skin and fat between the pubic bone and umbilicus is removed. There is also a scar around the umbilicus.
• Extended Abdominoplasty, in which excess skin and fat around the loins and back are also excised. This results in a longer scar.
• Abdominoplasty with Muscle Plication, in which, in addition to skin and fat removal, the muscles over the abdominal wall are sutured to give the abdomen a tighter flatter appearance.

Why do patients seek abdominoplasty?

• Women with excess skin and fat following pregnancy etc
• Patients with folds of skin following weight loss
• Patients with stretch marks, following pregnancy or weight loss
• Patients with weak abdominal wall musculature, following weight loss, pregnancy, etc

What to think about at this stage

It is important that before you see the surgeon, you consider what you are trying to achieve from your surgery. In particular, you must understand that abdominoplasty is most definitely not a treatment for weight loss or obesity.

How is abdominoplasty performed?

• The operation is performed under general anaesthetic
• It takes between sixty minutes to three hours depending on the type of abdominoplasty
• Patients stay in hospital for one night
• If your work is not physical, expect to return to work after one to two weeks
• Expect to be back to normal physical exercise after six to eight weeks

At consultation, Mr Rezai will advise upon a highly personalised treatment plan. This may involve other body-contouring surgery considerations, especially liposculpture.

Following the operation

As with all surgery, you must expect to feel bruised and sore. The treated areas are likely to be swollen. You will have to wear a tight support garment for several weeks. Most patients are able to fully resume normal activity within three to four weeks. Sutures will be removed after ten to fourteen days.

The most important thing to remember is that all abdominoplasties are associated with noticeable scars. Many may be hidden by some underwear. As with all scars, they will fade over a period of time. In many patients, they heal to form very faint white lines. However, it is important to remember that no surgical scar ever totally disappears.

Risks & Complications

Cosmetic surgery is amongst the very safest of medical procedures. However, all patients must understand and accept that no surgical procedure is absolutely free from risk.

At Consultation, Mr Rezai will discuss these risks with you. However, it is important to take on board that abdominoplasty is a significant surgical procedure, with all of the implications that that has. All the risks and complications are all fully outlined in the “Patient Guide” for Abdominoplasty.

How long will the results of your abdominoplasty last?

The very considerable benefits of abdominoplasty last extremely well. By maintaining a sensible weight, and preferably also exercising, the patient will be doing all they can to both maintain and even improve the result of their surgery. Any subsequent pregnancy may again result in some degree of skin sagging.