Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
\n\n An abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure\n performed to remove excess fat and sagging skin around the lower\n abdomen.\n
\n\n\n Generally, the loose abdominal muscles under the skin are also tightened\n to create a significantly smoother and firmer profile.\n
\n\n Abdominoplasty (Tummy tucks) improve the shape and tone of the tummy region by removing\n excess fat and skin, and restoring weakened or separated muscles. It is\n a very common plastic surgery procedure and has a very high level of\n patient satisfaction. Abdominoplasties are highly individualized,\n considering the unique situation of every patient who chooses to undergo\n the procedure.\n
\n\n\n An abdominoplasty is not and should not be seen as a substitute for\n weight loss or exercise routine. This is a point Dr. Graham Sellars\n wants to reinforce to all patients. The procedure also cannot correct\n stretch marks and other similar problems.\n
\n\n\n While the procedure achieves great results, it is not for everyone. The\n best candidates for abdominoplasty are, first and foremost, patients who\n are in good health. It is ideal for men and women who were once obese,\n but still have loose skin or excess deposits of fat around their lower\n abdomen. It is also recommended for women who have had several\n pregnancies and would like to tighten muscles and reduce skin around\n their abdominal area.\n
\n \n \n \n\n Browse Dr. Graham Sellars' full range of surgical and non-surgical\n procedures.\n
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\n\n Dr Sellars will have at least 2 consultations with you to determine\n your concerns and objectives, and to ensure that you have realistic\n expectations of what can be achieved.\n
\n\n He will show you before and after photos of people that have had this\n surgery and give you reading material to take home.\n
\n\n\n Many people after pregnancy and weight loss, find they cannot lose the\n excess fat and loose skin even through diet and exercise. An\n abdominoplasty can be very successful in people who have lost a lot of\n weight but still have a remaining tummy bulge.\n
\n\n\n Abdominoplasty is not usually recommended to people purely as a weight\n loss solution, and surgeons may require the patient to try to lose\n more body weight before considering an operation.\n
\nLength of stay in hospital is usually 2-4 days.
\n\n Before commencing the surgery, a few lines will be drawn on the\n abdomen. The surgeon then makes a long incision usually just above the\n pubic region from hip to hip.\n
\n\n The length of the incision will vary depending on the laxity of the\n skin. The skin and underlining fat are then dissected away from the\n abdominal muscles and retracted backwards. The abdominal muscles are\n then surgically tightened by suturing them back into the correct\n position, which then gives the tummy a more toned and taut shape.\n
\n\n\n The skin is then pulled downwards and another incision is made around\n the navel, which will be resutured into a higher position when the\n excess sagging skin is removed.\n
\n\n\n Once a new hole has been created for the navel, the excess fat and\n skin are excised and the wound is closed.\n
\n\n\n Usually 1-2 drains are placed into the wound under the suture line, to\n drain any excess fluid that may accumulate immediately after the\n surgery.\n
\n\nThese are removed between 2-4 days.
\n\n Dr Sellars uses sutures that are absorbable, and therefore do not need\n to be removed postoperatively.\n
\n\n A large dressing will be applied to the area, and is changed\n periodically.\n
\n\n You will experience mild to moderate discomfort, and Dr Sellars will\n prescribe medication for you during the hospital stay and for the\n following weeks if required.\n
\n\n\n It is preferable to have someone at home with you for a few days after\n discharge from hospital as you will not want to be doing any lifting\n or excessive movements for a little while.\n
\n\nYou should avoid strenuous exercise for 4-6 weeks.
\nPossible risks of any surgery include:
\n- \n
- Wound infection \n
- Pain and discomfort \n
- Nausea \n
- Haematoma (an accumulation of blood around the surgical site that may require drainage) \n
- Heavy bleeding from the incisions \n
- Keloid or hypertrophic scars \n
- Slow healing \n
- Separation of the wound edges \n
- Allergies to anaesthetic agents, antiseptics, suture material or dressings \n
- Deep vein thrombosis DVT (blood clot in the leg) \n
Specific abdominoplasty risks:
\n- \n
- Haematoma or seroma (collection of blood or fluid) that may require draining \n
- Swelling may take several months to resolve in some cases \n
- Scar may appear to worsen during the first six months of healing \n
- Numbness around the scars in the lower abdominal area and sometimes in the upper thighs \n
- Sometimes scar revision is required \n