Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck Surgery) in Sydney for a Slimmer, Toned Appearance
Sometimes after multiple pregnancies or major weight loss, abdominal muscles weaken and skin in the area becomes loose. At our Sydney practice, we offer abdominoplasty, commonly known as a "tummy tuck", which removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles. The procedure results in a firmer, flatter abdomen and a more narrow waist, with an improvement in overall body appearance.
The Tummy Tuck Procedure
Recovery from Abdominoplasty
Frequently Asked Questions
Recovery from Abdominoplasty
Type of anaesthesia, length of hospital stay and recovery time all depend on the extent of your procedure. You are usually able to return to work after seven to 10 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Abdominoplasty is a common surgical procedure to reshape the abdomen. The procedure involves removing wrinkled skin and fat from the lower abdomen and tightening the abdominal muscles to give a flatter looking abdomen. Abdominoplasty can improve comfort, appearance and self-esteem.
I've been told a tummy tuck is a great way to lose weight. Is this right?
Abdominoplasty is frequently performed in men and women who have fat in the abdomen, but who are otherwise of relatively normal weight, and may be performed in combination with suction lipectomy / liposuction. Although the operation removes some fat, it is not a substitute for a healthy diet or sensible exercise.
I have had a Caesarean section and have a roll of fat just above this that looks unsightly. Would abdominoplasty be useful for me?
Women who have had Caesarean sections or abdominal hysterectomy are perfect candidates for abdominoplasty, as a large segment of the usual surgical incision has already been made and further incisions may only need to be limited to achieve a good effect.
The effects of abdominal surgery that I have seen on girlfriends are terrific, but what do the scars really look like?
Abdominoplasty incisions are generally placed from just inside the hip bone, on one side of the abdomen, and across the lower abdomen to the same place on the other side. Abdominoplasty scars are permanent, although they do fade. The scars can be covered by underwear or swimwear.
Is there such a thing as a mini "tummy tuck"?
Yes. Abdominoplasty procedures can range from full scale procedures for removal of vast amounts of fat and skin (10 to 15kg is not unheard of) to the more common, much smaller, gentler mini-abdominoplasties with limited incisions for the person not requiring such extensive surgery.
Do I have to stay in hospital after this operation?
Although it is possible to perform abdominoplasty as a day stay procedure, the vast majority of people prefer to spend one night in hospital before discharge.
Do I have to keep bent over after an abdominoplasty?
In the first few days after a tummy tuck it is worthwhile to keep in a relatively flexed (bent forward) position to decrease stretch on the wound. This also helps to keep the abdominal muscles relaxed as these may be tender after being stitched together. Anything to reduce tension is advised.
Do I need to wear a support girdle afterwards and for how long?
Depending on the extent of your abdominoplasty most surgeons prefer you to wear an abdominal support girdle constantly for two to four weeks. It can be taken off, washed and dried without any problems and the modern support girdles are easily worn under clothing without looking bulky. They are also relatively light so wearing them in summer isn't as uncomfortable as it may have been in the past.
How much time would I need off work?
Getting back to work and normal activities, including sex, is highly variable and depends to a large degree on the extent of the procedure and muscle tightening. Most people are fine to return to office work after one week to 10 days following a tummy tuck. The vast majority of people return to full normal activities within four to six weeks.
Why can't liposuction be used instead of abdominoplasty surgery?
Sometimes it can. The greatest problem with liposuction is that surgeons are unable to tighten skin in a reliable, predetermined manner. Skin will shrink when fat is removed but this is not always reliable and can lead to loose skin. An abdominoplasty is great for tightening not only loose skin but also abdominal muscles stretched during pregnancy and childbirth. Having said this, it is almost always possible to use liposuction on the obese abdomen and see how much the skin will shrink over the next one to two months, thereby possibly avoiding surgery. At our practice, a tummy tuck and liposuction of the abdomen are frequently combined.
I have severe stretch marks after childbirth. Will an abdominoplasty do anything to these?
Abdominoplasty surgery will remove stretch marks of the central abdomen that occur below the umbilicus/belly button. No method currently known is able to remove stretch marks from the hips, flanks and upper abdomen.
I have a friend who did sit-ups for years for her back pain with no effect. Surprisingly, straight after her tummy tuck her back pain disappeared and hasn't returned. Is this a coincidence?
There is reasonable evidence to suggest that tightening the abdominal muscles is beneficial for back pain and therefore an improvement in back pain can often be a side effect of an abdominoplasty.
Does Medicare/private insurance cover any of the cost of abdominoplasty?
Medicare does not cover the cost of procedures done for cosmetic reasons. However if your abdominal muscles are lax due to childbirth and pregnancy associated with stretched, loose skin, Medicare makes a small contribution towards the cost of abdominoplasty surgery.
Learn More about Tummy Tuck Surgery
If you live in Sydney or are willing to travel and would like to learn more about tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery at our practice, please contact Silkwood Medical today. Our surgeons can meet with you during a one-on-one consultation to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
Sometimes after multiple pregnancies or major weight loss, abdominal muscles weaken and skin in the area becomes loose. At our Sydney practice, we offer abdominoplasty, commonly known as a "tummy tuck", which removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles. The procedure results in a firmer, flatter abdomen and a more narrow waist, with an improvement in overall body appearance.
The Tummy Tuck Procedure
Recovery from Abdominoplasty
Frequently Asked Questions
The Tummy Tuck Procedure
This surgery requires a thorough evaluation of the muscles, fat and skin of your abdomen and how they relate to your overall body size and shape. Most abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic and may range from a small procedure to remove localised fat and skin to a major procedure involving liposuction and abdominal muscle repair. When skin laxity and muscle weakness are confined to the lower part of the abdomen, a modified abdominoplasty that limits tissue removal and muscle repair below the umbilicus (belly button) may be performed. This usually leaves a short scar and no scarring around the navel, and requires less recovery time.
This surgery requires a thorough evaluation of the muscles, fat and skin of your abdomen and how they relate to your overall body size and shape. Most abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic and may range from a small procedure to remove localised fat and skin to a major procedure involving liposuction and abdominal muscle repair. When skin laxity and muscle weakness are confined to the lower part of the abdomen, a modified abdominoplasty that limits tissue removal and muscle repair below the umbilicus (belly button) may be performed. This usually leaves a short scar and no scarring around the navel, and requires less recovery time.Recovery from Abdominoplasty
Type of anaesthesia, length of hospital stay and recovery time all depend on the extent of your procedure. You are usually able to return to work after seven to 10 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Abdominoplasty is a common surgical procedure to reshape the abdomen. The procedure involves removing wrinkled skin and fat from the lower abdomen and tightening the abdominal muscles to give a flatter looking abdomen. Abdominoplasty can improve comfort, appearance and self-esteem.
I've been told a tummy tuck is a great way to lose weight. Is this right?
Abdominoplasty is frequently performed in men and women who have fat in the abdomen, but who are otherwise of relatively normal weight, and may be performed in combination with suction lipectomy / liposuction. Although the operation removes some fat, it is not a substitute for a healthy diet or sensible exercise.
I have had a Caesarean section and have a roll of fat just above this that looks unsightly. Would abdominoplasty be useful for me?
Women who have had Caesarean sections or abdominal hysterectomy are perfect candidates for abdominoplasty, as a large segment of the usual surgical incision has already been made and further incisions may only need to be limited to achieve a good effect.
The effects of abdominal surgery that I have seen on girlfriends are terrific, but what do the scars really look like?
Abdominoplasty incisions are generally placed from just inside the hip bone, on one side of the abdomen, and across the lower abdomen to the same place on the other side. Abdominoplasty scars are permanent, although they do fade. The scars can be covered by underwear or swimwear.
Is there such a thing as a mini "tummy tuck"?
Yes. Abdominoplasty procedures can range from full scale procedures for removal of vast amounts of fat and skin (10 to 15kg is not unheard of) to the more common, much smaller, gentler mini-abdominoplasties with limited incisions for the person not requiring such extensive surgery.
Do I have to stay in hospital after this operation?
Although it is possible to perform abdominoplasty as a day stay procedure, the vast majority of people prefer to spend one night in hospital before discharge.
Do I have to keep bent over after an abdominoplasty?
In the first few days after a tummy tuck it is worthwhile to keep in a relatively flexed (bent forward) position to decrease stretch on the wound. This also helps to keep the abdominal muscles relaxed as these may be tender after being stitched together. Anything to reduce tension is advised.
Do I need to wear a support girdle afterwards and for how long?
Depending on the extent of your abdominoplasty most surgeons prefer you to wear an abdominal support girdle constantly for two to four weeks. It can be taken off, washed and dried without any problems and the modern support girdles are easily worn under clothing without looking bulky. They are also relatively light so wearing them in summer isn't as uncomfortable as it may have been in the past.
How much time would I need off work?
Getting back to work and normal activities, including sex, is highly variable and depends to a large degree on the extent of the procedure and muscle tightening. Most people are fine to return to office work after one week to 10 days following a tummy tuck. The vast majority of people return to full normal activities within four to six weeks.
Why can't liposuction be used instead of abdominoplasty surgery?
Sometimes it can. The greatest problem with liposuction is that surgeons are unable to tighten skin in a reliable, predetermined manner. Skin will shrink when fat is removed but this is not always reliable and can lead to loose skin. An abdominoplasty is great for tightening not only loose skin but also abdominal muscles stretched during pregnancy and childbirth. Having said this, it is almost always possible to use liposuction on the obese abdomen and see how much the skin will shrink over the next one to two months, thereby possibly avoiding surgery. At our practice, a tummy tuck and liposuction of the abdomen are frequently combined.
I have severe stretch marks after childbirth. Will an abdominoplasty do anything to these?
Abdominoplasty surgery will remove stretch marks of the central abdomen that occur below the umbilicus/belly button. No method currently known is able to remove stretch marks from the hips, flanks and upper abdomen.
I have a friend who did sit-ups for years for her back pain with no effect. Surprisingly, straight after her tummy tuck her back pain disappeared and hasn't returned. Is this a coincidence?
There is reasonable evidence to suggest that tightening the abdominal muscles is beneficial for back pain and therefore an improvement in back pain can often be a side effect of an abdominoplasty.
Does Medicare/private insurance cover any of the cost of abdominoplasty?
Medicare does not cover the cost of procedures done for cosmetic reasons. However if your abdominal muscles are lax due to childbirth and pregnancy associated with stretched, loose skin, Medicare makes a small contribution towards the cost of abdominoplasty surgery.
Learn More about Tummy Tuck Surgery
If you live in Sydney or are willing to travel and would like to learn more about tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery at our practice, please contact Silkwood Medical today. Our surgeons can meet with you during a one-on-one consultation to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.