Why do people have an abdominoplasty?
An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is ideal for people who want to remove extra skin and fat from their abdomen. It is particularly common in women who are concerned about flabby skin following pregnancy or older people who have lost elasticity as a result of minor obesity. One important aspect you need to be aware of is that the surgery will leave a permanent scar. Also, if you plan to have more children, delay tummy tuck surgery as the muscles tightened during an abdominoplasty may separate again during future childbirth.

Realistic expectations
You must have realistic expectations about what abdominoplasty can achieve for you. It will not change your personality or make people treat you differently. Everyone is individual and surgery will not transform you into someone else. It is critical that you spend time thinking about what you want to achieve from surgery and talk about your hopes with your surgeon.

What happens during consultation?
The surgeon will need to know why you want the procedure to gain a complete understanding of what you want to achieve. It is important that you are completely honest.

The surgeon will discuss your medical history, examine the fat deposits in your abdominal area and assess your skin’s elasticity. The consultation will focus on the extent of the operation required and whether you need a partial tuck or a complete abdominosplasty combined with liposuction.

Getting the most out of your consultancy
Often in cases where clients are unhappy with the results of surgery it is because they did not discuss their expectations thoroughly or were afraid to talk about the outcome or risks.

You have to make an informed decision before signing the consent form so make sure you ask plenty of questions. You want to feel relaxed, confident and completely understand what will happen during surgery.

You may want to know:

• About the surgeon’s qualifications.
• How many operations of your procedure are carried out each year.
• How you prepare for the surgery.
• What realistic results can be expected and when.
• How long the results will last.
• About side-effects and possible complications.
• How long it will take to recover.
• About the extent of scarring and how it will change in time.
• What happens if anything goes wrong.

Preparing for surgery

• Avoid alcohol, aspirin, garlic and food oils a least a week before surgery as they can cause excessive bleeding.
• Do not eat or drink anything six hours before general anaesthetic (if you require this).
• The surgeon and anaesthetist need to know your medical history and if you are on any medication.
• You will be advised of any health checks or X-rays required before your procedure.
• Prior to the procedure you will meet your surgeon who will assess you and discuss your queries.
• Try and give up smoking a couple of weeks before your procedure as it interferes with healing processes.
• Avoid excessive exposure to the sun before surgery particularly in your abdomen area.
• Do not go on a diet as this too will impact on the surgery.

What happens during surgery?
This depends on the type of procedure you require, whether partial or total abdominosplasty. Depending on the process you may be placed under general or local anaesthesia.

With a total abdominosplasty the surgeon will make an incision above the pubic area right across the hip and make another to release the navel. The skin will be then lifted to show your abdominal muscles. These are then tightened and stitched into a new position that provides a firmer abdominal wall. The excess skin is then removed, a new area is created for your navel and the incisions stitched.

In the case of a partial adbominoplasty, skin is removed along the initial incision, excess is removed and the flap is stitched back in place.

After surgery

• Depending on the extent of your surgery you will be in a recovery room for a few hours or a couple of days being cared for by nursing staff.
• Your surgeon will visit and advise you when you can leave.
• You will also be advised on how to shower and change your dressings. In some cases you may need to wear a support garment.
• You should not drive for two days after anaesthetic.
• Avoid alcohol, aspirin, garlic, food oils and smoking. All of these can interfere with the body’s healing processes.

Road to recovery

• Continue taking painkillers if you need them.
• Depending on the surgeon’s advice, elastic dressings or bandages may have to be worn for some time.
• If the surgeon recommends that you take medication such as antibiotics, make sure you complete the course.
• Your treated area is likely to feel sore during the first couple of weeks, so take it easy and get plenty of rest.
• The surgeon will advise you of when you can return to physical activity.
• Your abdomen is likely to appear swollen at first and you are likely to feel some pain or discomfort.
• You must contact your surgeon if you suffer from an abnormally high temperature, severe pain that is not treated with Paracetemol or if you experience severe bleeding.
• If you are in doubt about any of the post operative effects speak to your surgeon.
• Mild exercise will accelerate your healing processes and help reduce swelling.
• Your scars may actually appear to look worse during the first three to six months as they heal. It can take up to year before they begin to lighten.
• The scars will never disappear completely. However, they will not show under most items of clothing even bathing suits.
• To maintain your new look it is vital that you eat sensibly and enjoy regular exercise.

All surgery carries an element of risk
Most people believe that the benefits of abdominoplasty surgery far outweigh the risk. However before you sign the surgery consent form you should be aware of any possible complications and side effects.

Complications associated with any type of surgery include problems healing, the danger of infection and the potential formation of clots that may be life-threatening. Excessive bleeding or bleeding under the skin, known as a haematoma, could require a return visit to the surgery. Some patients may also have an allergic reaction to anaesthesia. In a minority of cases there could be a problem with fluid loss or an excessive build up of fluid that needs to be drained.

Deciding on abdominoplasty
It is important that you take time to make an informed decision about surgery. Complications are extremely rare as this is a very common operation, however you must consider any potential outcome.

• After a successful operation you may feel sick due to the anaesthetic (if it was required) and bruises formed by the procedure may take several weeks to heal.
• There will definitely be scars left by the incisions, but these will be located in ‘hidden’ areas.

Complications are rare and depend greatly on individual circumstances such as a person’s health and skin type or the extent of the procedure. Your surgeon will be able to explain how the risks apply in your circumstances.