Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Sometimes, liposuction alone is not enough to contour the abdominal wall to a satisfactory degree. If there is a significant amount of skin laxity or weakness of the underlying muscle layer, an abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" is required to produce the optimal result.

What does it involve?

An abdominoplasty is an operation in which a wedge of lower abdominal skin is excised along with the underlying fatty tissue. If the abdominal muscles are weak, they can be tightened at the time
of surgery. In some cases, the amount of skin to be removed is large enough to warrant moving the navel or "belly button".

Surgery usually involves a general anaesthetic but occasionally an epidural anaesthetic supplemented with local anaesthetic may be used.

The operation lasts for approximately two hours. As might be expected, suture lines are often long but dissolving sutures are used for most of the closure.

Is a hospital stay necessary?

A hospital stay for one or two nights is generally advisable. This is due to the procedure leaving the abdomen feeling very tight and, as a result, movement can be uncomfortable for a few days.
A hospital environment will help ensure that pain relief is on hand if required.

Recovery

Once at home, activities need to be remain restricted for a few weeks. Generally, quiet activities can recommence four or five days after surgery while driving a car is usually possible towards the end of the first week.

The timing of a return to work depends on the nature of the work to be performed. Office work
is usually possible at two weeks after surgery but tasks requiring extended periods of standing
or strenuous effort should be left for three or four weeks.

Activities requiring considerable exertion should be avoided for three to four weeks.