TUMMY TUCK (Abdominoplasty)
A tummy tuck operation (also called abdominoplasty) can be a wonderful operation that really boosts a patients confidence. Women who have had children, and therefore may have stretched or loose tummy skin, are often particularly well suited to having this type of surgery. Exercise is important and I always encourage my patients to try to exercise and eat healthily with a balanced diet. Apart from being good for a patients general health, this will also reduce the risk of there being any problems after surgery. Sometimes though, where there is excess abdominal skin, no amount of exercise will ever be able to return the abdominal appearance back to a more youthful look. In this situation an abdominoplasty can work very well. Patients who are generally over weight may also be able to have this type of surgery but excess general body weight can actually increase the risk of complications so this always needs to be considered carefully.
How long will the operation take?
About 2-3 hours
Will I need a General Anaesthetic?
Yes, you will need to be asleep for the surgery.
How many nights will I need to stay in hospital?
Usually you will stay in hospital for 1-2 days.
Will it be painful afterwards and how long do I have to have off work?
There is usually some swelling, bruising and some discomfort or pain after this type of surgery. This usually settles gradually after 1-2 weeks. Generally, patients therefore need about 2-3 weeks off work. If you do heavy lifting at work you may even need longer than this.
What should I avoid after the operation?
You should find you are able to get up and walk about very soon after you wake from surgery. You will then be able to build up your activities over about 2-4 weeks. Please try to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for about 6 weeks.
What are the risks of the operation?
All operations carry some risks. Bruising, swelling, temporary numbness, asymmetry and fluid collections (called seromas) are common with this operation. Infection, bad scarring, permanent numbness, delayed healing, excess skin in the flanks can also occur with this operation but these risks are generally less common.
When will I have appointments after the operation?
You will normally be seen for an appointment at 1-2 weeks and at about 3 months after surgery to ensure that you are recovering well. The scars continue to settle and improve over time and typically fade to the normal skin colour after about 1-2 years.
