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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Flabby tummy may follow childbirth, weight loss or being part of the natural ageing process. On many occasions there is no apparent reason despite healthy diet and regular exercise. The overhanging skin and apron can be unattractive, limits your clothing choices and results in lack of confidence.

Improvement in abdominal shape can be achieved in several ways. If your skin is firm and elastic, liposuction alone is an option. However, if the skin is loose and flabby, then a full or a mini abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) is needed.

Tummy tucks are becoming more popular than ever with a high satisfaction rate. The scars resulting from this surgery are usually easily concealed. However with the change of clothing and swim wear fashion, the scar can on occasions be visible.

Tummy tuck can be combined with other cosmetic procedures and general operations, as in hysterectomy, hernias, etc.

What is a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?

Tummy tuck is an operation where the skin and fat in the middle of the tummy between the umbilicus and pubic area are removed under a general anaesthetic (while you are asleep). If totally removed, this is called abdominoplasty. If partially removed, this is termed mini-abdominoplasty.

The Surgery of Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

In abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), any abdominal muscle weakness can be tightened. The umbilicus will need to be repositioned/refashioned (umbilicoplasty). The scars will be around the new umbilicus and along the bikini line usually extending from 1 hipbone to another depending on the extent of the apron to be removed.

In miniabdominoplasty, the above is usually not required. The scar is along the bikini line, the length of which depends on the extent of apron to be removed.

The scars from mini or full abdominoplasty can be modified to include / remove scars from previous surgery.

Recovery from Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

The standard abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) requires approximately 1-2 nights of hospital stay. You will be asked to keep your knees and hips bent while in bed and to walk stoop to take the strain off your stitches for a period of few days after the surgery.

Drains are removed before leaving the hospital. You are advised to wear a firm supportive girdle/cycling short once the drains are removed for a total period of 6 weeks day and night.

The navel (umbilicoplasty) sutures are removed approximately 7-10 days after surgery. The bikini line scar sutures are dissolvable.

You are advised to take approximately 2 weeks off work, avoid strenuous efforts for 6 weeks.

Potential Risks of Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Every surgical procedure carries a certain amount of risk, and it is important that you understand the risks involved with abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).

Usually the tummy tuck scars settle well and are reasonably concealed along the bikini line. Some people have inborn tendency for scars to stretch and sometimes they can stay thick, red and lumpy for a long time. Healing can be slow particularly in the tighter central part of the wound, which can become sloughy, which may require dressings for a few weeks. This is more common in patients who are overweight and who smoke. This tends to leave more obvious scars that can be tethered (stuck to underlying tissue).

A slight asymmetry of the abdomen is to be expected after surgery. A small fatty bulge may remain above the scar. The appearance of the navel and the surrounding scar can vary, depending on your healing.

Bleeding, infection, wound break down, excessive scarring, blood clots in leg veins and/or lung and further revisional surgery are general risks that can follow any operation.

There can be extra skin at the ends of the scar that will form a skin overhang, a ‘dog ear'. This can be easily improved on at a later stage, should you decide so.

BEFORE IMAGES	AFTER IMAGES

 

 

 

 

The information provided gives you a basic understanding of the tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure but it may not answer all your questions, a lot depends on your individual circumstances. This website provides guidance and is not intended to be a substitute for a surgical consultation with Mr Fahmy in Shropshire, Chester, Cheshire or Wrexham, North Wales and Mid Wales.

For any enquiries, you can email Professor Fahmy on info@cosmeticplastic.co.uk. Your consultation will be directly with Professor Fahmy and the treatment will be performed by himself at the hospital of your choice either Pulford Medical Centre, Chester (Cheshire) or Spire Yale Hospital, Abergele & Wrexham (Wales). It is always advisable to bring a friend or a relative during your consultation, as it may further assist you in any questions you may have.

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