Tummy Tuck (adominoplasty)
A tummy tuck , or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure aimed at improving the appearance of the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat and tightening the muscles of the abdominal wall. It is commonly sought by individuals who have loose or sagging skin in the abdominal area, often due to significant weight loss, pregnancy, or ageing.
Key Components of the Procedure:
- Incision: Your surgeon typically makes a horizontal incision just above the pubic area, extending from one hip to the other. The length of the incision depends on the extent of skin and fat removal.
- Muscle Tightening: For individuals with weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), your surgeon will tighten these muscles, which can improve core strength and enhance the abdominal contour.
- Excess Skin Removal: Your surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the lower and middle abdominal regions.
- Repositioning the Navel: In a full tummy tuck, the navel (belly button) may be repositioned for a natural appearance after the excess skin is removed
- Liposuction: Some procedures may include liposuction to contour the waist and remove additional fat deposits, enhancing the overall result.
| Results | 15 - 20 years. Body will continue to age |
|---|---|
| Time in Surgery | 3 hours |
| Time off work | 10 - 14 days |
| Exercise | Limited for 6 weeks |
Before deciding whether to pursue surgery, you may be a good candidate for surgery if:
- You want to remove excess skin and fat from your abdomen
- You are at a stable weight
- You are well-supported and have realistic expectations of the surgery
- You’re able to take sufficient recovery time off of work
- You are a non–smoker or are willing to abstain from smoking at least 8 weeks before surgery and 8 weeks post-surgery
- You are 18 years or older
- You understand there are risks involved and we cannot guarantee outcomes.
Macquarie University Hospital
The Surgery Process
The decision to undertake any type of elective surgery should be a well thought and long process. We do not recommend rushing into any procedures. Below is a guide on the surgery process and the risks involved.
The first step in finding out more about surgery is to schedule a private consultation. In this consultation, you will meet directly with your specialist plastic surgeon. This gives you an opportunity to discuss your concerns and get all of your questions answered.
To book a surgery date you can contact our team after a face to face consultation has been completed. You must wait 7 days from the consultation to book a procedure.
During the consultation, your surgeon will delve into your medical background, inquiring about your medical history and any history of substance abuse, tobacco, or alcohol use. It’s essential to bring along a comprehensive list of all medications and supplements you are currently taking. The consultation includes a thorough examination of your complete and accurate medical history, where you’ll disclose any past surgeries, procedures, or complications you’ve encountered.
This detailed information equips your surgeon to make an informed decision about your general health and assess whether you are an ideal candidate for the procedure—fortunately, the majority of individuals meet the criteria for the intended procedure.
At the end of your consultation, your surgeon will make recommendations about the best course of action to take for your surgery to achieve the result you are after. Every patient is different, and results always vary. While we can look at your inspiration images, we cannot ever guarantee your post surgery results. You must take this into consideration before proceeding with surgery.
Once you’ve booked your surgery date, a pre surgery appointment will be scheduled 4 weeks prior to your date. This is your chance to meet with your surgeon again, ask any further questions, go over the surgery plan and take some images. This appointment ensures you’re well prepared for the upcoming surgery date.
The night before and the morning of your surgery, you’ll need to adhere to certain guidelines. Typically, you should refrain from eating and drinking fluids after midnight, as is common with many surgical procedures.
Depending on your surgeons advice, you may be allowed to take specific medications with a small sip of water, such as beta-blockers or cholesterol medications. To minimise the risk of infection, it is recommended to shower with an antimicrobial soap both the evening before and on the morning of your surgery. Be gentle, during the cleansing process to avoid irritation.
For hygiene reasons, it’s advised not to wear nasal, nipple or facial piercings to the hospital to prevent loss and potential bacterial contamination.
Upon arrival at the hospital, nursing staff will conduct necessary checks, and you’ll have an opportunity to meet with your surgeon just before the procedure to ensure you feel prepared. In the operating room, you’ll be administered the appropriate anaesthesia.
The surgery is usually conducted in a private hospital and takes 3-4 hours. Most patients will be required to stay 1-3 nights in hospital during recovery.
The surgeon will make an incision in the area around your navel (besides the incision in the lower abdominal area). The procedure typically involves the removal of excess skin, the tightening of abdominal muscles, and liposuction for reshaping the abdomen. In a complete abdominoplasty, skin is removed from the area above your navel, all the way down to your pubic area.
Most patients will also have post operative drains inserted to reduce fluid retention. These stay intact for 1-5 days following surgery.
All sutures are dissolvable, therefore you will not need to have sutures removed post surgery.
Surgical risks such as bleeding or infection
Fluid accumulation around the implant after surgery
Allergic reaction to suture materials, tape adhesive or other medical materials and lotions
Changes in breast and nipple sensation
Temporary or permanent areas of numbness
Wrinkling of the skin over the implant
Keloid, or lumpy scar tissue, which is pink, raised and irregularly shaped. These scars may be inflamed and itchy. There are several possible sites for the incision. Discuss this with your surgeon
Asymmetry (unevenness) of the breasts
Calcium deposits in the scar capsule around the implant
Granulomas, or lumps in local lymph node tissue formed by leaking silicone
Breastfeeding difficulties, including reduced milk supply
Reduced effectiveness of breast cancer screening, since an implant may hide breast tissue (and tumours) during a mammogram
Further surgery to treat complications
Risks of anaesthesia including allergic reaction or potentially fatal cardiovascular complications such as heart attack
A blood clot in the deep veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis), which can move to the lungs (pulmonary embolus) or to the brain and may be life threatening
- unsatisfied with surgery outcome
- Reduced effectiveness of breast cancer screening, as an implant may hide breast tissue (and tumours) during a mammogram
- Further surgery to treat complications
After surgery our recovery specialists will given post-op instructions. It is important to follow carefully. You will be provided with a script for medication, which you will need to purchase after surgery and instructions on when to take the medication over the days ahead. You will be discharged from hospital when your companion picks you up from the hospital. All patients must have a companion to stay with them for 72hours following surgery.
The first week after surgery you should stick to gentle day-to-day activities. This includes minimal house duties, no lifting, staying home as much as possible and sleeping in an elevated position. Commence postoperative exercise (instructions given post surgery).
In the second week of recovery try not to raise your blood pressure too much and still sleep in an upright position. Patients will also be required to attend a postoperative appointment at our office in week 2. this will be scheduled prior to surgery.
In week 2 patients may:
Commence a light walk
Return to work in week 2 if you have an office job with little physical activity
Avoid sexual intercourse
Start driving provided they are not taking any pain medication. We also recommend waiting 3 days for the medication to be out of your system.
Weeks 3 – 5 patients with more physical jobs can return to work.
In weeks 3-5 patients may:
Start getting into a light exercise routine, using lower body
Start doing more physical household duties
In weeks 6-8 patients may:
Commence normal exercise routine and duties. Please note, do not push yourself into being back into your pre surgery routines.
Swimming, bathing running, yoga, stretching, spin class and Pilates
Stop wearing compression bra (Textured Mentor implants)
At this stage patients are mostly fully recovered and sutures are absorbed. Patients should always wear a supportive bra when exercising or performing physical activity.
In weeks 9-12 patients may:
Contact sport
Boxing and upper body exercise
Stop wearing compression bra (smooth Motiva implants)
Frequently Asked Questions
We regularly get asked about our procedures, so we have put together a couple of questions we get asked on a regular basis. If there is something else you would like to know, please get in touch!
Yes, abdominoplasty is considered a medical procedure so your private health insurance may cover your hospital costs.
Abdominoplasty surgery may be eligible for Medicare rebates and health fund coverage. Our team is here to assist you with detailed information about these rebates. Typically, you can expect a Medicare rebate between $800 and $1,200 for this procedure, under.
Scars are an unavoidable outcome of any surgical procedure. However, your specialist plastic surgeon will make every effort to minimize them and keep them discreet. By placing incisions in well-concealed areas along natural skin lines and creases, the scars are designed to be less noticeable and typically fade over time.