Put your trust in a plastic surgeon who is with you throughout each stage of the tummy tuck experience, also known as abdominoplasty. Discover more from Dr Isolde Hertess at Cairns Plastic Surgery
Struggling through dozens of crunches and other ab exercises every day, and still unable to shift that stubborn fat?
- Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen
- The surgery also tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall
- Following a tummy tuck, the abdomen is firner and flatter, and the waist more defined
- Abdominoplasty can help to give you the toned and flat stomach that exercise alone may not be able to do
Types of tummy tuck procedures
Partial tummy tuck
Partial tummy tuck, also known as mini tummy tuck, is a body contouring procedure that concentrates on removing fat and excess skin from the lower abdomen – that is, below the belly button.
The incision involved in a partial tummy tuck is likened to that of a caesarian.
The ideal candidate for a mini tummy tuck is a woman with localised excess skin or fat.
Full tummy tuck
A full or traditional tummy tuck is designed to remove a greater excess of fat or skin across a broader part of the stomach.
Ideal candidates are those who are generally fit but carry excess weight around their middle, that they cannot shift with diet or exercise.
Abdominal muscles can then be tightened, resulting in a tauter and flatter stomach.
The procedure
Abdominoplasty begins with an incision made just above the pubic hair line and can extend from hip to hip.
The skin is then separated from the abdominal muscles, which are tightened, narrowing the waistline and flattening the abdomen.
The excess skin and fat are removed and the incision is stitched closed.
The entire procedure takes between two and three hours, depending how much work is needed and if liposuction is desired as well.
Who is tummy tuck surgery for?
The best candidates for tummy tuck surgery are patients who are in good shape, but with loose abdominal skin.
Women whose abdominal muscles and skin have been stretched out from multiple pregnancies, as well as people who have a loss of skin elasticity due to age or weight fluctuations, may benefit from this treatment.
Tummy tuck recovery
How long is recovery?
Abdominoplasty is a major cosmetic procedure, so it’s critical that you allow yourself adequate healing and recovery time.
Immediately following surgery, you may walk, but we advise walking in a stooped position to alleviate the pressure on the suture lines. With time, you can straighten out to walk.
Similarly, you should keep your knees bent (supported by pillows) to reduce the pressure when sleeping for at least two weeks.
When can I return to work?
This will depend on your specific circumstances and recovery, and is best answered by your surgeon after surgery. However generally, we find that many tummy tuck patients can return to “desk” work (low intensity) after 2-3 weeks.
If you’re unsure, please call us anytime!
Will there be scarring?
As with any other procedure, scarring is expected. Your surgeon will try to perform surgery so that the scarring sits as low as possible and can be hidden under the bikini line.
Many patients will also have a scar around their belly button, because during surgery, it can often be relocated.
The location of your scars will depend on the type of procedure you undergo. You can discuss the potential location of scarring with your surgeon.
How long until I see the final and permanent results?
The benefits from a tummy tuck are not instantly visible following surgery. It is completely normal to experience swelling and redness for a period of time as your body heals.
The results will start to show around 4-6 weeks following surgery, but your final results may not settle until up to 6 months to one year following surgery.
What tummy tuck surgery cannot do
Tummy tuck surgery is not a substitute for weight loss
Tummy tuck surgery should only be performed on a candidate who is at a safe and health weight, and cannot be considered a weight loss treatment.
It’s critical you understand that a tummy tuck is a contouring procedure, rather than a weight loss one.
Abdominoplasty cannot replace exercise
Regularly exercising and maintaining good health and fitness is key to a great lifestyle. Elective surgery cannot be used to replace regular exercise.
Your expectations must be aligned if you think a tummy tuck can replace exercise or good diet.
A tummy tuck cannot correct stretch marks
While tummy tuck surgery cannot correct stretch marks, it is likely that many will be removed and the appearance will be improved if they are located on the area of the stomach that will be excised.
Tummy tuck cost
For more information on the cost of a partial or full tummy tuck at Cairns Plastic Surgery, we invite you to book a complimentary information session with one of our nurses.
During this confidential catch-up, we can learn more about what you want to achieve, and advise if tummy tuck surgery is right for you.
To organise your session, please give the clinic a call on (07) 4031 5755 or fill in this enquiry form and we will be in touch.
Tummy tuck before and after
View more “Before and Afters” to see what our patients have achieved after tummy tuck surgery with Dr Isolde Hertess at Cairns Plastic Surgery.
Before
After
Before
