Tummy Tuck

It is common for the skin of your abdomen not to shrink back after pregnancy or losing a lot of weight. You are most likely to benefit from an abdominoplasty if your abdomen makes you feel uncomfortable or if you are self-conscious about what your abdomen looks like.

Your surgeon will carry out a detailed assessment before deciding if surgery is suitable for you. This may include taking photos for your medical records. They will examine your abdomen and ask you questions about your medical history.

Your surgeon will check if you are the right weight for your height. If you are overweight, it may be better to lose weight before having surgery.

Your abdomen should be firmer and have a better shape. If you have excess skin or a gap between your abdominal muscles causing you to feel uncomfortable, this should improve.

When there is a small excess of skin in the lower abdomen (this may be associated with a scar from a caesarean Section) then a mini-abdominoplasty may be appropriate. In this procedure, skin and fat is excised from the lower abdomen leaving a scar in the bikini line of relatively limited length.

When there is fat excess, liposuction may be added and when there is muscle laxity a repair of the muscle situated beneath the belly button may be undertaken.

The operation is quicker than a full abdominoplasty and usually takes 1-1½ hours to perform, either under local or general anaesthetic. The effect is limited however, and in many cases, will not provide adequate correction of the abdominal contour.  The rest of this information sheet applies in general; however, recovery is faster and potential risks fewer.

For the first 2 weeks following surgery, patients should rest and convalesce, avoiding driving or housework.  After 2 weeks, housework and gentle activities can be undertaken, gradually building up over a 6 to 8 week period.  

Heavy lifting or any vigorous sporting activities should be avoided for 2 to 3 months following surgery.  You should be able to do lift young children, after about 3 weeks.  

Prolonged soaking in a bath should be avoided for 3 weeks postoperatively.

Sexual activities can resume when patients feel comfortable, but usually no earlier than 2 weeks following surgery.  Abdominoplasties are usually undertaken when the family is complete.   If, however, circumstances change, pregnancy should be avoided for at least 6 months and preferably 12 months following surgery.

For the first 2 weeks following surgery, patients are advised not to drive as not only will the safety belt potentially put undue pressure on the abdomen, but also because patients will not be able to react properly in the event of an emergency stop.  Do not drive until you are confident about controlling your vehicle and comfortable wearing a seat belt.  Always check your insurance policy and with your doctor.

Most patients refrain from work for 2 weeks.  However, an additional 1 or 2 weeks may be required for those with physical jobs or for whom recovery is delayed.

Advice regarding this will be given at the initial consultation.