What Can The Tummy Tuck Procedure Do For You?
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, involves the removal of loose skin and excess fat from the abdomen and tightening of the abdominal muscles, improving contour, tone, and strength.
People who have lost a significant amount of weight are often faced with sagging skin and loss of tone due to overstretched abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck will correct these issues, to optimise your new body shape.
The procedure can also be recommended to remove loose sagging abdominal skin that may hang over scars from a caesarian or an appendectomy.
Benefits Of Tummy Tuck Surgery
- A flatter abdomen and narrower waistline targeting bulges of isolated deposits of fat and loose skin as result of weight loss or pregnancy
- A better fit of clothing due to the removal of loose skin that does not conform to new body contours
- A midsection that is smoother and more streamlined
- The removal of loose, hanging skin for those with low skin laxity and skin folds that create irritation, rashes, and infections
- Improvement of sagging Mons Pubis
- The elimination of stretch marks, particularly after pregnancy or other types of weight gain
- Medical benefits including reduction of Stress Urinary Incontinence, improved posture, correction of Ventral Hernia, and the elimination of chronic back pain
Depending on your ideal body look and expected results, the benefits of the tummy tuck
procedure can be extremely positive for both aesthetics and mental state.
Is Tummy Tuck Procedure Right For Me?
If exercise and healthy eating have been ineffective at targeting annoying bulges, the tummy tuck procedure may be right for you if:
- You are of good general health and able to receive general anaesthesia
- You are six months to one year after childbirth or after significant weight loss
- You are not a smoker
Why Choose The Tummy Tuck Procedure
Dr. Arianayagam uses the tummy tuck procedure to tighten the abdomen and create a toned aesthetic look, eliminating excess skin folds.
- The process can target the skin that may hang over the waistband or a Caesarean scar
- If your abdominal muscles have separated, or you have developed stretched or loose skin due to pregnancy, this specific procedure can rectify the issues
- A bulge or pouch can create a lack of confidence in the appearance which the abdominoplasty procedure can improve
- Excess/stretched Mons Pubis is corrected
Much like a breast reduction, the tummy tuck is performed as an inpatient procedure under general anaesthesia.
How It Works
Step 1
The first step when you are considering a tummy tuck procedure is to undergo a consultation with Dr. Arianayagam. This is the best time to talk about your goals and any expectations you may have.
Step 2
Dr. Arianayagam will discuss the procedure with you while evaluating your current situation. He will ask you a variety of questions concerning your current health situation, any medications you may be taking, allergies you have, and past medical treatments.
Step 3
The doctor will carefully examine the areas you have concerns with and discuss the options available while providing his recommendations. You will have a second consultation a week or two later allowing you time to think about your options and form any questions to help make your final decision.
Step 4
A tummy tuck is performed under general anaesthesia at Baringa Private Hospital, where you will be admitted as an inpatient. The procedure usually takes 3-4 hours, and you will be in hospital for up to 4 nights.
Step 5
Incisions are made, as discussed in your consultation. After the primary incision, the skin and fat are lifted off the abdominal muscles, and these muscles are brought together by fascial tightening. The loose skin is then pulled down, so it is taut, and excess loose skin is removed. The umbilicus (belly button) is then repositioned. Often, excessive sagging of the Mons Pubis is corrected by removal of the upper Mons Pubis.
Step 6
You are likely to experience some discomfort and swelling after a tummy tuck. The pain can be controlled with pain relievers. Initially, drains will be placed in the abdominal cavity to remove excess body fluid and reduce swelling. Wounds are closed with dissolving stitches under the skin and surface stitches which are removed at about a week after surgery.
Why Choose Us?
Choosing an internationally trained Specialist Plastic Surgeon like Dr. Chandran Arianayagam confirms the safety and skill you will experience during the tummy tuck procedure. With many abdominoplasty procedures performed in Coffs Harbour since January 1995, Dr. Arianayagam has experience operating and observing worldwide, including in Australia, the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, India, and Malaysia.
Choose an expert in Plastic Surgery techniques, including cosmetic and reconstructive surgery as well as laser and injection treatments. Dr. Arianayagam holds significant discussion time with his patients, allowing time to make decisions and outstanding levels of in-patient and post-operative care.
His qualifications include:
- A Bachelor of Medicine
- A Bachelor of Surgery
- A Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- Specialist status in Plastic Surgery by Minister for Health of the Commonwealth Government of Australia
- A Corresponding Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- A Corresponding Member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
A tummy tuck is usually combined with liposuction to assist in removing particularly stubborn fat. However, liposuction alone is not well suited to addressing loose skin or abdominal muscle strength.
The procedure is advised when you are close to your ideal weight, and your health and nutrition is normal. While it is not a procedure designed to correct weight problems, sometimes it is done early to assist in weight loss and regaining fitness.
The first step when you are considering a tummy tuck is a consultation with Dr. Arianayagam. You should frankly discuss your goals and expectations at this meeting and be prepared to answer a variety of questions about your current health, medications, allergies, and any past medical treatments.
Abdominoplasty requires a thorough examination of the muscles, fat, and skin of your abdomen and how it relates to your overall size and body shape. After examination, Dr. Arianayagam will discuss the options available and his recommendations to provide the best and most natural-looking outcomes.
You are encouraged to ask questions. It is crucial that you understand the procedure, potential complications, and the results you can expect to achieve.
Immediately following surgery, you will have surgical dressings on the wound. Once drains are removed, you will need to wear compression garments for three months.
The critical healing period is the first three weeks. Over this period, you will be asked to restrict your activities significantly. Dr. Arianayagam recommends time off work during this critical recovery period, and you will need help from your family.
With a full abdominoplasty, the cut and final scar will go from hip to hip, most commonly just over the pubic area. There is also a scar around the belly button. These scars will be visible, although less so after several months and are covered by a bikini.
Make sure you discuss the positioning of the scar during initial consultations with Dr. Arianayagam.
As with all surgical procedures, there will always be risks such as post-operative bleeding, allergic reactions, infection, deep vein thrombosis, and haematoma.
There are also some risks and complications that are specific to a tummy tuck.
Asymmetry of the abdominal region
After a tummy tuck, it is possible to have unevenness in the abdominal region or an unaligned belly button. It is essential to make sure you have fully healed, 6 to 8 months after surgery, before making this judgment. Usually, abdominal asymmetry and umbilicus (belly button) malposition can be corrected with revision surgery.
Altered abdominal sensation
Most people having a tummy tuck will regain most abdominal sensation.
“Dog Ears”
A dog-ear refers to skin protuberance that can form at the end of an incision, including those along the hips after a tummy tuck. Small dog-ears may be managed with massage and steroid injections. A persistent dog-ear may warrant minor scar revision.
Mini Abdominoplasty
When there is excess fat in the abdominal wall but the muscles are in the right place, a good result is achieved with Liposuction/Lipectomy to lower muscle tightening without having the full operation.
Our Locations
Once you have made the decision to go ahead with the surgery and have chosen Dr. Arianayagam as your surgeon, you will also be offered the opportunity to speak to one of our patients who has the same procedure.
Dr. Arianayagam and his patient care team can book a consultation for those interested in the tummy tuck procedure, and ensure you have all of the necessary information required to be ready for your procedure.
They will be alongside with you throughout your recovery process, and the locations serviced by PCLS include: