Abdominoplasty

Before surgery, we will invite you for a consultation to discuss your desires and the procedure in detail.

There are some guidelines and things for you to arrange, but your surgeon will discuss this with you in detail during your initial consultation. Some of the general guidelines include:

• Stop smoking
• Avoid certain medications including Asprin and Anti-Inflammatory medications
• Maintain a stable weight
• Arrange for help during recovery including somebody to drive you home following the procedure

On the day of your surgery, we will give you general anaesthesia to ensure you are conformable during the procedure. Your surgeon will then make an incision on the lower abdomen, typically from hip to hip, just above the pubic area. The length and shape of the incision may vary depending on the extent of the tummy tuck and the patient’s anatomy.

Next, it’s time to lift the skin and fat layer of the abdomen to expose the underlying muscles. Excess skin and fat are carefully removed, and we may use Liposuction to help remove excess fat from the abdominal area and achieve a more sculpted appearance.

If your abdominal muscles are weak or separated, your surgeon may recommend a procedure called diastasis recti repair. This involves the surgeon using sutures to connect the abdominal muscles, tightening and repairing the abdominal wall to create a flatter and firmer appearance.

After the removal of excess skin, fat, and muscle repair, the surgeon will re-drape the remaining skin over the abdominal area, pulling it taut to create a smooth and contoured appearance. 

We will close all of the incisions using surgical sutures or staples. We may also place drains under the skin to collect any fluid that may accumulate during the healing process.

Directly after your procedure, we will move you to a recovery area where you will be closely monitored.

During the discharge process, we will give you specific instructions on how to best care for the incisions, manage pain, and resume normal activity during the healing process.

For the first six weeks following a tummy tuck, you’ll need to be careful when moving around and avoid any positions that put a strain on your incisions – such as bending at waist level.

Your surgeon will likely give you a supportive abdominal garment known as an abdominal binder to wear to help prevent fluid build-up and provide abdominal support while you heal. 

Swelling and bruising are common after a tummy tuck and can persist for several weeks to months. Wearing compression garments as prescribed by your surgeon, elevating your legs when resting, and avoiding salty foods can help reduce swelling.

Your surgeon will also schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress and ensure proper healing. Your surgeon may remove drains and change dressings during these visits.

As you heal, your surgeon will advise you on when you can gradually resume normal activities, including work, exercise, and other physical activities. It’s important to follow your surgeon’s instructions and not rush into activities too quickly to avoid complications or delay healing.

Like any other type of major surgery, a tummy tuck does carry a risk of complication. You must select a trained and licensed plastic surgeon, such as Aadil Khan to perform your surgery to mitigate the risk.

Some possible complications following a tummy tuck include:

• Fluid accumulation beneath the skin (seroma)
• Poor wound healing
• Unexpected scarring
• Tissue damage 
• Changes in skin sensation

For more information on Abdominoplasty, or to book a Consultation with Aadil Khan, click here.