Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure carried out to correct the skin laxity and change in shape that develop in the abdomen after significant weight fluctuation or pregnancy. Excess skin is removed and, where necessary, the abdominal muscles are reinforced, producing a flatter and firmer abdomen.
Who Is It Suitable For?
The most suitable candidates are people close to their ideal weight, with limited intra-abdominal fat and marked skin laxity in the abdomen. In female patients, having completed childbearing is generally preferred, since a subsequent pregnancy can cause the repaired muscle structure to separate again. The most reliable assessment of suitability, however, can only be made after an examination.
While exercise can produce a degree of firming, existing skin laxity cannot be resolved without surgery.
Types of Procedure
Different abdominoplasty techniques may be used according to individual need:
A method in which skin and fat excess confined to the area below the navel is corrected without repositioning the navel. This technique can also repair the separation of the abdominal midline muscles (diastasis) that develops after pregnancy or weight gain.
Skin is removed from a wider area of the abdomen, the abdominal muscles are brought back together at the midline, and the position of the navel is reset. Preferred in patients with marked skin excess and muscle separation.
Used in patients with generalised laxity following major weight loss; excess skin at the waist and back is removed in the same session as the abdomen.
Pre-operative Assessment
Before surgery, the patient's general health and medical history are assessed in detail. Accompanying chronic conditions, problems affecting blood clotting, regularly used medication (including contraceptive pills and blood thinners), any previous abdominal operation and smoking are always asked about; this information directly affects the surgical plan and its safety.