After you have had the consultation with your tummy tuck surgeon and decided on the best technique for your circumstances, you will be ready for your operation. When you’ve been sent to sleep with a general anaesthetic, if you’re having a full abdominoplasty, the surgeon will make an incision from hip bone to hip done along the lower half of your stomach, just above your pubic line. The length of this cut depends mainly on the amount of skin to be removed. The surgeon can adjust the line of the incision so it is best disguised depending on what type of underwear and bathing suits you normally wear, although this is not always possible. The contour and shape of your abdomen will also influence placement of the incision.
A new opening will be made for your belly button, which is then stitched into place. Towards the end of your tummy tuck surgery, the surgeon will pull the remaining skin of your abdomen and underlying tissue down towards the edge of the incision line, and sew the two halves together with fine sutures. The position of your navel will not have changed. This creates a firmer stomach and narrower waist, and removes any loose, hanging skin around your middle. If the abdominal muscles were loose and saggy, the operation can also tighten and strengthen them too.
If you’ve opted to have a mini tummy tuck then only one, smaller incision will be made in the lower abdomen. The mini tummy tuck, or partial abdominoplasty is performed mainly on people whose problems appear below the navel, such as severe stretch marks and loose skin, or protruding fatty deposits. Although many stretch marks can be flattened, improved, or eliminated during this procedure, not all will removed completely.
In the recovery room you may come round to find that you have small drainage tube fitted to help take away excess fluids and bleeding from the site of the operation. The wound may be covered with gauze, dressings, tape, and a compression garment.
Tummy tuck information summary:
| Technical name |
Abdominoplasty |
|
Procedure time
|
3 - 4 hours depending on procedure
|
|
Anaesthetic
|
Usually general, but can be local with sedation
|
|
Time in hospital
|
1 night
|
|
Time off work
|
2 weeks
|
| Time before resuming sexual activity |
2 weeks minimum |
| Stitches removed |
1 - 2 weeks post op |
|
Time wearing support garment
|
1 - 4 weeks
|
|
Time for scar tissue to heal
|
Up to 1 year
|
|
Time to resumption of normal activities (including swimming)
|
1 month
|
