Abdominoplasty Melbourne
Remove excess skin and fat and tighten the muscles to improve the shape of your tummy.
Tummy Tuck Surgery
Abdominoplasty, which is also referred to as a full tummy tuck, is a surgery procedure that aims to reshape the abdomen. Contouring and tightening this area may improve or reverse the effects that are known to accompany body changes such as pregnancy or significant weight loss.
Our qualified and experienced surgeon will remove excess fat and skin where appropriate, reposition certain tissues, and/or tighten the muscles in the abdominal region. This procedure aims to help people who have had changes to their body and certain results have resisted lifestyle alterations, such as sagging skin or weakened muscles.
Abdominoplasty surgery, or tummy tuck surgery, must be performed by a skilled and reliable melbourne plastic surgeon for the most safe and desirable results possible. Before you request a tummy tuck, it is vital you explore your options and find the most suitable option for you.
Common Reasons Why People Consider Having An Abdominoplasty Procedure
There are multiple reasons that motivate people to undergo abdominoplasty or full tummy tuck surgery. Some of these include:
- Wanting to improve certain effects of pregnancy or significant weight loss, such as excess skin.
- A desire to make changes to their shape, such as achieving a defined waist.
- Difficulty fitting into certain clothes and underwear comfortably.
- Lower back pain due to the separation of abdominal muscles (rectus divarication).
- Frequent hygiene issues, such as rashes, infections, and skin breakdown in the abdomen area.
What is Involved With a Tummy Tuck Procedure (Abdominoplasty)?
- This procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic.
- The surgery typically takes two to four hours to perform.
- A wedge of tissue (excess fatty tissue and skin) is excised from the lower abdomen (tummy area), just above the pubic hairline, to roughly the level of the umbilicus (belly button). Generally, the abdominal wall muscles are also tightened. The final incision is placed just above the pubic hairline and extends from hip to hip. The resulting scar is like a longer caesarean section type scar with a second small incision around the belly button.
- Drain tubes are usually inserted and are typically kept in for a few days.
Recovery After Surgery
- Patients most commonly require a hospital stay of one to two nights.
- Generally, you will feel a little uncomfortable for a few days.
- You may gradually increase your mobility and activity levels on the advice of your plastic surgeon and surgical support team. Many people can carry out normal day-to-day activities after about two weeks.
- Most people allow three weeks off work. However, you may require additional time if your job is more physically demanding. This can be discussed with A/Prof White.
- Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise, such as aerobics, running, and using gym weights, should be avoided for six weeks.
- You may need to wear a compression garment during your recovery period.
- The recovery period may differ from patient to patient.
Post-Operative Care & Review
- A/Prof Dean White and his team will care for you in hospital.
- Drain tubes are removed when the daily fluid amounts reduce appropriately.
- A review appointment to take off the dressings, check your wounds, and remove any sutures is generally undertaken one week after surgery.
- Subsequent review appointments are generally made for six weeks after surgery, and then three, six, and twelve months later to assess your tummy tuck results.
- If there are any concerns, you will be seen more frequently.
A tummy tuck surgical procedure, or abdominoplasty surgery, can help to reduce loose skin, promote abdominal muscle repair, and facilitate body contouring.
Risks To Consider Before Tummy Tuck Procedures (Abdominoplasty Surgery)
All surgeries involve a balance between realistic surgical goals and knowledge of potential risks and complications, which vary depending on each client. Risks are minimised by careful patient selection and planning, high standards of surgical training, meticulous surgical techniques, and vigilant post-operative care.
Small, less serious issues may occur, such as altered skin sensation and minimal scarring, and every effort is made to resolve them quickly. These rarely have any long-term effect on the final result. If you’ve had previous abdominal surgery, you should communicate this with Associate Professor White.
Anaesthetic
For most healthy people, general anaesthesia is safe with modern techniques. A/Prof White’s rooms will give you the details of your anaesthetist prior to surgery to discuss any specific concerns.
Bleeding/Haematoma
Significant bleeding may occur in some cases and may mean returning to the operating theatre to correct the issue, such as to evacuate a blood clot. This may impact wound healing or skin health.
Infection in the wound
If infection occurs, it can typically be cleared up with antibiotics and good hygiene habits.
Deep Venous Thrombosis/Pulmonary Embolus (DVT/PE)
Blood clots are potentially serious and life-threatening. They may form in the legs and travel to the lungs. Multiple strategies are employed to minimise the risk of these occurring.
Wound Healing Issues
Contour issues, puckering, or gathering are often present somewhere along the wound line. These typically settle over several weeks to months in most cases but sometimes may need a small revision. Not all existing stretch marks may be removed, and new ones may develop.
Scars
Scars are typically at their thickest and reddest at six to ten weeks after surgery. Scars continue to mature and improve for up to eighteen months after surgery. Scar management advice will be discussed in your follow-up visit with A/Prof White to assist in achieving the goal of a thin, barely noticeable scar.
Asymmetry
The scars may be slightly different on your right compared to your left side.
Wound Separation or Delayed Healing
The risk of these issues occurring increases in people who are smokers or if there is an infection.
Skin Necrosis or Loss
This is a rare complication and is typically only seen in smokers. If it does occur, it needs significant aftercare and possibly more surgery. Skin grafting in extreme cases may be required.
Seroma
Drainage may involve clear, straw-like fluid following surgery. Usually, this settles down with no intervention required, but if it is persistent or significant, it may require drainage in our procedure rooms. A drain tube may need to be inserted.
Numbness
Numbness should typically settle down over weeks to months.
Tummy Tuck Melbourne Frequently Asked Questions
Can I combine a tummy tuck with other cosmetic procedures?
There is the possibility of having some other surgeries done at the same time as an abdominoplasty procedure, but your eligibility to do so depends on many factors, which your surgeon will discuss with you. These include aspects such as your health, goals, and the recovery involved in the other procedure.
Do the results of a tummy tuck last for life?
The effects of an abdominoplasty procedure are generally long-lasting; however, there are factors that impact how your abdomen continues to look down the track. These involve examples such as maintaining a stable weight, healthy lifestyle, your diet and exercise habits, and your overall health.
Is a tummy tuck good for weight loss?
An abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure. It targets a specific body area to make the skin and muscles tighter. The ideal candidates for this procedure are in fact at or near their ideal weight. These people often have excess skin or weak or separated abdominal muscles because of pregnancy or considerable weight loss.
Why Choose Us For Your Abdominoplasty Tummy Tuck?
Reliable Care
Associate Professor Dean White is a highly qualified and experienced surgeon dedicated to providing comprehensive and supportive service to all his patients. He will work with you to help you reach your goals and target outcomes.
High-Quality Equipment
Your surgery will be performed using state-of-the-art, modern technology and resources to minimise risk and optimise outcomes.
Thorough Follow-up Support
Your post-operative care will be comprehensive to help you with your recovery. Advice and guidance will be extensive, and we will work to address any concerns you may have.
Feel Supported in Your Tummy Tuck Journey
There are many reasons that may have brought you to a point in which you are considering an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck procedure. We can discuss these with you in detail and explore whether you are an ideal candidate for this surgery. It is important to us that you feel well cared for, and we strive to help you reach your goals.
Please contact our friendly team to organise an initial consultation.
