Abdominoplasty, or the ‘Tummy Tuck’

What is an abdominoplasty and who is the procedure for?

Abdominoplasty is otherwise known as a ‘tummy tuck’ and is a cosmetic procedure to make the abdomen more firm, removing extra fat and skin and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. It is a major procedure. The cost varies from country to country and will depend on age and circumstances.

The tummy tuck is suitable for anyone who is generally healthy. Many women who have loose tissues after pregnancy elect for this type of surgery as well as those with sagging skin after losing a large amount of weight in a short space of time.

Women who are still planning to have more children are not recommended for the surgery. During surgery some muscles will be tightened which pregnancy will then stretch out again. A tummy tuck will also cause scarring so it is important to make the right decision as to whether it is right for you.

What happens during an abdominoplasty?

There are different types of tummy tuck available. A complete abdominoplasty, for those that need the greatest amount of correction, consists in an incision from hip bone to hip bone,  where the surgeon will then alter the skin and muscles as required. Liposuction is often used in this process, though not always. After the surgery a dressing is applied to the wound.

Partial abdominoplasties are performed on those patients who require a smaller incision, where a similar process is followed as the complete version apart from the fact that the belly button will usually not be moved as it is in a complete abdominoplasty. Finally, an extended abdominoplasty includes an extension to the thighs and sides.

Recovery

Following surgery there will be a usual amount of pain and swelling as well as numbing, bruises and overall tiredness. Recovery usually takes a few months, and there may be permanent scarring.