Tummy Tuck
What is a Tummy Tuck?
A Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty is the removal of excess sagging skin and fatty tissue from the lower abdomen. This excess skin is often the result of pregnancy or significant weight loss.
An ellipse shape incision is made from hip to hip and above your belly button, and another circular incision around your belly button. The skin and tissue from this area is removed, the incision closed, and the belly button is repositioned at the correct height. The rectus muscle (the muscle between your ribs and pelvis) is also tightened, which helps women with abdominal muscle separation and rectus diastasis. This surgery will provide you with a flatter, firmer stomach and restore abdominal wall functioning.
What Can I Expect with a Tummy Tuck?
A Quick Overview
Surgery time: 2 - 3 hours.
Length of stay in hospital: 2 - 4 nights.
Recovery time: (The following are approximate times.)
Driving 2 weeks,
Office work 2 - 3 weeks and
Strenuous work/exercise 6 weeks.
Garments: Post-surgery binder in hospital and compression shorts after drains are removed. These should be worn 24/7 for 4-6 weeks.
Incision and scar: Incision from hip to hip low on the abdomen, under the clothing/swimwear line. Another incision around the belly button.
Other Things to consider
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Immediately after your surgery, your abdomen will be very tight. You will need to mobilise in a slightly bent position until your skin stretches out over 1 - 3 weeks.
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You should reach your target weight and maintain it for at least 6 months prior to this surgery.
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It is advised that you finish your family prior to this surgery, as future pregnancies will alter your results. If you were to get pregnant after a healed abdominoplasty, it would not cause any problems with your pregnancy or birth.
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Some patients are eligible to claim this on Medicare and through their health care fund if deemed medically necessary - however, there will still be an out-of-pocket expense.
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This surgery can be done in conjunction with other body contouring procedures and/or liposuction.
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You can find more information on the procedures at plasticsurgery.org.au