Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) is designed to give patients a firmer, flatter stomach. It involves the removal of excess fat and skin from the lower abdomen and the tightening of the muscles on the abdominal wall.

An increasingly popular procedure, there are a number of reasons why someone might consider a Tummy Tuck. Pregnancy or substantial weight loss can leave the abdominal muscles weak with skin that can appear loose or saggy. This may not be a problem that can be solved by diet and exercise alone.

Whatever your reasons for considering a Tummy Tuck, the procedure can produce excellent results, helping to minimise the effects of pregnancy and weight fluctuations, resulting in a firmer, flatter stomach. This can give you extra confidence in swimwear or other types of clothing. In most cases, the results are long-lasting, provided you follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly.

Your procedure

Your surgeon will make a continuous incision from hipbone to hipbone, just above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free the naval from surrounding tissue. Your surgeon will then separate the skin from the abdominal wall all the way up to your ribs, creating a skin flap to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are then tightened by pulling them closer together and stitching them into a new position. Once the excess skin is removed, the skin flap is then stretched down to join the wound together. A new hole is cut for your navel, which is then stitched in place. A dressing will be applied, and a temporary tube may be inserted to drain excess fluid from your surgery site.

In some cases, it is also possible to have a Mini-Abdominoplasty. In this procedure, the incision is much shorter and the naval may not need to be moved. The skin is separated only between the incision line and the navel. This skin is stretched down, the excess skin is removed, and is then stitched back into place.

The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and normally takes 2 to 4 hours, depending on the technique used. Your total stay in hospital should be three to six nights.

After your operation

• You will have two drains from your abdomen to help remove any excess fluid and encourage healing. These are generally removed before you are discharged however sometimes you may go home with drains still in.
• Immediately after surgery you will be resting in bed in a 'banana position' (with your head elevated and your knees bent). In the days following the procedure, you can gradually decrease the amount of bend at your middle, depending on your comfort level.
• Some pain or discomfort at your wound and/or drain site can be expected. This will eventually settle and can be managed with oral pain medication.
• The garment for which you were measured up at your initial consultation will be put on you in theatre once your operation is complete. This must be worn continuously for six weeks with the exception of showering.
• You are encouraged to walk about – as upright as is possible and comfortable.
• To help with the prevention of blood clots forming in your legs, you will have been measured for TED stockings and compression sleeves (SCDs) prior to your operation. These are worn to the operating theatre and post-operatively. You are able to stop wearing the SCDs once you are comfortably mobile. The TED stockings are to be worn until you are discharged from hospital.
• You will be visited each day by a physiotherapist while you are in hospital, who will give you a series of breathing and leg exercises to perform.

At home

• You may notice slight redness, swelling and bruising around the wounds, this is normal.
• Any pain should be managed with oral pain medication.
• A small amount of discharge from your wounds is normal.
• You will have dressings over your wound sites. These should be left on until the two to three week post-op review. These dressings are waterproof, so there is no need to cover them to have a shower. However, if the dressings lift before the post-op review, please contact one of the clinic nurses.
• You must continue to wear your garment for six weeks after surgery.
• Avoid heavy lifting, over exertion, strenuous exercise and any unnecessary strain on your wound for six weeks after surgery.
• Make sure you remain mobile at home, going for short walks, etc.
• Avoid driving for two weeks after surgery, and if necessary, only drive short distances until six weeks after surgery.
• Post-operative lethargy is often experienced and can last for a month or more after your operation.
• You should eat a nutritious diet high in vitamin C and drink plenty of water to help promote wound healing.
• A post-op review with the clinic nurse will generally be carried out three weeks after your surgery, at which time your dressings will be removed.

Problem signs

Surgery is not without its risks. You should be aware of any signs that something might be wrong. The symptoms below are potentially serious and would require you to contact the clinic, your GP or your closest emergency department:

• Signs of infection, such as a high temperature, heavy discharge from your wound site, an increase in redness or heat around your wound site, or a dramatic increase in pain that is not relieved by oral pain medication.
• Increased swelling around your wound.
• Nausea or vomiting which does not settle.