Tummy tuck surgery, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the stomach, giving it a tighter, firmer appearance.
Quick guide
- Anaesthetic: general or local anaesthetic with deep sedation
- Time of intervention: 2-3 hours
- Time in hospital: 1 day
- Problems: possible infection or severe pain, can be controlled by medication
- Swelling: can be drained
- Recuperation: about 5 weeks
- Final result: 6 months
Am I suitable for tummy tuck surgery?
The ideal candidate for abdominoplasty is someone with a stubborn pocket of fat in their abdomen, or a lot of loose skin, that cannot be shifted through diet and exercise. Tummy tucks can be particularly effective post pregnancy, or after significant weight loss.
If you are planning to have children in the near future, or have not yet reached your goal weight, it might be advisable to wait before going ahead with your London abdominoplasty procedure.
It is important to be physically healthy and emotionally stable before proceeding with tummy tuck surgery, and to have realistic expectations of the outcome.
What can I expect during my mini-abdominoplasty procedure?
Dr Amar performs tummy tucks under a general anaesthetic and although the time taken depends on a number of factors, in general, abdominoplasty surgery takes between three and five hours. A mini-abdominoplasty can take as little as two hours.
A mini-abdominoplasty follows the same general technique but usually with just one, much shorter, incision.
When you come round from the anaesthetic following your London tummy tuck procedure, you will be bandaged and have drainage tubes in place. These will usually be removed one to two days after the operation. You may have dissolvable stitches, but any permanent stitches will need to be removed about 10 days post surgery.
You can usually return to work about two to four weeks after your London abdominoplasty operation, although that will depend on your job, as you should avoid strenuous activity for around six weeks after surgery.
Are there any possible complications associated with tummy tuck surgery?
There can, rarely, be complications from mini-abdominoplasty involving infection, or problems with wound healing. Wound healing problems are more common in smokers, diabetics and overweight patients.
Some people have problems with lumpy and raised red scars, but usually these will become pale and thin over time. Collections of blood or fluid can occur and may need to be drained – usually by needle but occasionally in the operating theatre.
Although these complications are very rare, Dr Amar will discuss all of these with you at your London tummy tuck consultation, to ensure that you are fully aware of all the risks before going ahead with your London abdominoplasty procedure.
For more information on tummy tuck surgery or any of the cosmetic surgery procedures we offer at London FAMI Clinic, call 0800 612 7475 to book a consultation.