*Disclaimer – There is no guarantee of specific results and results can vary from patient to patient. Our team of consultant plastic surgeons will ensure you are in safe hands and discuss your results at your consultation.

A tummy tuck aims for what we all long for – a flatter, smoother stomach. It can restore weakened or separated muscles, and creating an abdominal profile that is firmer. Simply put it is body contouring at its finest.

There are many things a tummy tuck cannot do however – so we’re going to explain what the procedure involves, and what results can be expected.

How different is a Tummy Tuck from liposuction?

A ‘tummy tuck’ is the common terminology for an abdominoplasty, and should not be confused with liposuction. While liposuction is a fantastic solution to remove fat, it will not remove stretch marks/excess skin, and will not tighten abdominal muscles back to former form.

A tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure and will remove excess lower abdominal fat, skin, some stretch marks, and bring together the abdominal muscles. Both procedures have their benefits, and their use depends on the goals of the individual patient.

Who is a good candidate for a tummy tuck?

Tummy tucks are a viable option for any man or woman who is in good health overall. Tummy tucks are popular for women who experienced stretching of the muscle and skin from pregnancy, or men/women who lost a lot of weight and still hold excess deposits of fat or loose skin in/around the abdominal area. If you expect to lose weight, or you plan to have children in the near future, it’s best to defer the surgery until after as any event which causes tightening/stretching of abdominal muscles.

Can you lose weight from a tummy tuck?

Patients don’t really lose a dramatic weight as a result of a tummy tuck, because the issue and skin removed is quite light. The difference in the patient’s body after surgery is in size and contour. A patient can expect their body to be reshaped and tightened as a result of the tummy tuck.

What does the Procedure involve?

The actual procedure generally takes somewhere between 1-3 hours, is performed under general anesthesia. There are two kinds of abdominoplasty you can opt for:

• Abdominoplasty

  A complete abdominoplasty requires an incision from hip to hip, just above the pubic area. A second incision is made to free your naval from the surrounding tissue, this means your belly button will have a new opening. The skin is then detached from the abdominal wall, muscles and fascia may then be tightened with sutures.Some patients do not require muscle tightening, every patietn is different and we will plan your surgery according to your body.

• Lipoabdominoplasty

  This is a procedure similar to the standard abdominoplasty but the surgeon will also perform internal liposuction during the procedure. This technique was pioneered in Brazil and we have been performing this particular type of tummy tuck for three years now with great success.The results are a sculpted and tightened tummy.

What to expect after surgery?

Tummy tucks are a major surgical procedure. There will be pain and swelling after the surgery. Some mild pain is normal in the weeks following the surgery, and your surgeon will prescribe appropriate pain relief.

Depending on the technique used, you’ll probably wear a support garment for a few weeks. Generally, stitches will be removed in stages over a period of approximately one or two weeks.

The incisions from the surgery will heal and fade over time. However, the incision lines will always be visible, but eventually the lines will be faint. Fortunately, the incision for your Abdominoplasty is usually concealed by most bathing suits and underwear

It is important to note that no surgery is risk  free. All the risks associated with abdominoplasty will be discussed at length with your consultant and you will leave the clinic ready to make an informed decision. Your suitability will be determined during your complimentary consultation with one of our team of consultant plastic surgeons and our promise to you is safe surgery, premium service in luxurious surroundings at affordable prices.