Tummy Tuck
When it comes to the abdomen, this is a problematic area for many. From bloating, to sagging, to loose skin, it’s often a huge source of insecurity. However, a tummy tuck can address all of the above. Not only can excess skin be removed, we will tighten the abdominal muscles to make your tummy look even smoother.
What to expect
Tummy tucks, or abdominoplasty, are a hugely popular procedure at The Avoca Clinic, for both men and women. Particularly with those who’ve seen their body undergo intense changes as a result of pregnancy, weight loss, or weight gain.
During the procedure, the surgeon removes the excess skin and fat that sag from the abdominal region, reducing a protruding belly. The abdominal muscles are also tightened to make the abdomen look even slimmer.
Book a consultation today and one of our expert surgeons can talk you through the entire process.
Your Questions Answered
Tummy tuck prices vary according to the patient and procedure. As you might expect, some operations are more elaborate and thus more costly than others. Avoca offers reasonable rates as well as financing options for those who don’t want to pay the entire cost upfront. Patients also stay in our aftercare facility and every patient has full access to on-call nurses, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The short answer is yes, it does remove excess abdominal fat and skin. However, abdominoplasty differs from liposuction, in that it’s not primarily intended as a weight-reduction procedure: Typical tummy tuck patients would be women who’ve had changes to their stomach after a pregnancies; people who’ve lost a significant amount of weight who are looking for better definition due to excess skin as a consequence of the weight loss; and in some cases, patients are suited to a combination of liposuction and abdominoplasty.
While there will be a permanent incision line (sometimes referred to as “tummy tuck scars”) following your surgery, the good news is that this fades with time, becoming very discrete. Also, where possible, this line is generally positioned to be easily concealed by underwear or swimwear. Medical tattooing may also be a consideration.
Also known as fat grafting or fat injections, this procedure transfers fat from areas in which you have excess fat and injects it into the areas that may be lacking in volume, such as your face, hands, breasts or buttocks. If you are interested in exploring this option, it is an option using the Tickle lipo technique will be happy to discuss it with you.
Patients see some difference immediately after the procedure, as sagging, loose skin and some fat will be gone. However, there is still a healing phase while your body adjusts to its changes: There is usually swelling, which will go down within a few weeks and disappear completely within a few months. By this stage, most patients will be able to see the full results (or “final shape”) and be able to wear smaller-sized clothes.
While any surgical procedure has inherent risks, tummy tucks have been in practice for decades now, and the procedure has constantly been improving over the years. While there are no statistics available for Ireland, the risk of complications in the US is as low as 4%. And in a clinic like Avoca, which has world-class physicians, comprehensive post-surgery care and state of the art facilities, the risk is especially low.
This varies from patient to patient and according to the procedure. Having said that, patients can expect to return to sedentary (or typical office) work in around two weeks and return to exercise in about four weeks. As you might expect, if you work a more physically demanding job (e.g., one where you’re on your feet for the whole shift), you may not return to work for about four weeks.
The procedure involves the removal of excess skin and fat and the tightening of muscles in the abdominal area. Depending on the extent of the procedure, it can take 1-3.5 hours.
Recovery after a full abdominoplasty varies from patient to patient but women, who diligently follow our discharge instructions, will normally be back to work within 10 to 14 days. A mini tummy tuck recovery is slightly shorter, with the approximate recovery time being 7 to 10 days. For more information see below (“How long after tummy tucks do you see results?”)
There are numerous types of tummy tuck, depending on the patient and what is required. So, what’s often referred to as a “mini tummy tuck” is a procedure that involves a small incision – similar to what you might receive after a C-section. However, if there is a lot of loose skin that requires tightening, that might require a longer line, moving away from the definition of a “mini” tuck.
All patients undergoing Tummy Tuck procedures enjoy a one night stay with us.