Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) is the operation to remove excess skin from the abdomen. It is not a weight loss procedure and benefits most those patients who have lost weight and have loose skin. The operation removes the skin below the umbilicus (belly button) and moves the skin above it to cover the whole of the abdomen. Because of this, an Abdominoplasty procedure will not affect any marks or scars you have above the umbilicus. In fact, some scars above the umbilicus may change the way the procedure is carried out – Mr Price will advise you accordingly.

Common reasons for having Abdominoplasty are following childbirth and after weight loss. It is carried out under a general anaesthetic and takes approximately 2 hours, so patients need to have a good level of general health. Patients taking blood-thinning medications will need to stop these prior to surgery, but generally all other medications can be continued, with the exception of the oral contraceptive pill - this has been shown to increase the risk of venous thrombosis (clot on the leg) and so should be stopped.

During the operation loose skin from the bottom of the abdomen is removed and the skin above the umbilicus is pulled down snugly. If the muscles of the abdomen have pulled apart, they will be repositioned with strong sutures, which also help to flatten the abdomen and create a waistline. The wound along the bottom of the abdomen is sutured with dissolving stitches and that around the umbilicus with stitches that need to be removed.

When you wake up after the operation you will have dressings on your abdomen and two drains. It is common to wear a surgical corset after the operation, and this will usually be put on in theatre before you wake up. Pillows will be under your legs to keep your waist bent, you will have a drip in your vein and, often, a button to press for pain relief. It is common to give a short course of antibiotics after the operation.

It is usual to go home a few days after the operation and patients should plan to rest at home for at least two weeks. After this, depending on their job, they may require further time off. They should not drive until they can be sure of controlling the car in an emergency situation – this is usually at least 4-6 weeks.

The abdominoplasty operation leaves a scar that travels from one hip to the other, across the top of the pubic area. There is another scar around the umbilicus. The scar across the lower abdomen may be irregular towards the ends, and smoother in the middle and although generally the scar heals well, it is always visible and does not ‘disappear’ with time – although the initial redness will fade to white over a number of months. Because of the change in shape of the abdomen, it is sometimes necessary to ‘pleat’ skin in from the edge, leaving an irregular scar over the hips, which flattens with time.

Complications/problems: it is common for there to be an area of numbness above the central section of the abdominal scar. Abdominoplasty wounds can take time to heal fully, requiring dressings. Depending on your body shape, you may notice a fullness at the ends of the scars – this is where the surgical re-shaping ends and your natural shape takes over. There may be procedures to help this – please discuss this with Mr Price at your consultation.

To make an appointment to discuss Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) surgery in Cambridge or Peterborough, please contact Mr Price’s secretary.