What is an abdominoplasty / tummy tuck?

 

Abdominoplasty surgery, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is an operation to remove extra skin, scars, stretch marksand fat from the tummy, and sometimes to tighten the tummy muscles.

Why have a tummy tuck?

 

People have this surgery to take away extra skin and fat, or get a flatter tummy, often after pregnancy or gaining and losing weight. It can help rejoin the muscles of the abdominal wall if they have been pulled apart in the middle (known as ‘divarification of the recti’). Stretch marks can sometimes be cut away or tightened to make them less obvious.
Ideally, your weight will be normal before the surgery. A tummy tuck is not for people who are overweight, or carried out in order to lose weight. For the right person, a tummy tuck can make a big difference to their confidence and quality of life.

​

Other options to tummy tuck:

 

You could also consider the following.

• Having liposuction (where fat is sucked out through a tube inserted into small cuts) before or after the tummy tuck, to thin the abdominal wall. This is helpful but the results can be unpredictable. Liposuction alone will have less effect than a tummy tuck.

• Having an extended tummy tuck, where extra skin and fat are removed from the lower back and above the hips. With this surgery, the scar goes around onto the lower back.

• An endoscopic tummy tuck, where the tummy muscles are tightened through a short sideways cut above the pubic hair. Skin is not removed, but liposuction can be carried out.

• An apronectomy, which is a modified mini tummy tuck for if you have a lot of skin and fat hanging down over the pubic area. Here, only the extra skin and fat are removed. This leaves a long, sideways scar.

If you have scars from previous operations, the usual tummy tuck may be modified to suit the scars.

​

What to expect after an abdominoplasty

​

Tummy tucks are usually carried out under a general anaesthetic (so you would be asleep). The operation usually takes about three hours, and you would usually spend up to three days in hospital.

​

When you wake up from your operation you may have a drip to give you fluid while you are not drinking. You might be given antibiotics to keep the wound clean. Also, you may have drainage tubes in your lower tummy to drain away any fluid or blood. These tubes will be taken out when the fluid or blood has stopped draining, usually before you go home.Your tummy will feel tight and sore. Simple painkillers should be enough to keep you comfortable.

​