Tummy Tuck Abdominoplasty Surgery

A Tummy Tuck can be a huge change in a person’s life and our surgeons are always keen to explain the risks and benefits of this surgery. During your initial consultation, your surgeon will examine your abdominal area and discuss with you what results you’d like to achieve. Your surgeon will then advise which type of abdominoplasty would be most suitable, based on your goals and levels of excess fat.

When you arrive at our private hospital at Newton-le-Willows, we will welcome you to your spacious bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, as well as a friendly smile from our staff.

Once you’ve settled in, your surgeon will carry out some quick checks to make sure you’re in good health and give you another chance to ask any questions you still have about the procedure.

You will be taken to the theatre and sedated under general anaesthetic before the tummy tuck is performed. This will take upto three hours and afterwards you will be taken back to your room where you will stay for the night.

You will be able to leave the hospital the next day. After you have been discharged from our hospital, you will leave with pain relief, dressings and a support/pressure garment (corset) on your tummy, or tummy control pants. You will not be able to drive, so you will need to ensure someone else can take you home. It is recommended that you have someone stay with you for the following 24 hours after leaving hospital. Your support garment should be worn for 6 weeks for your comfort and to help with healing.

Your aftercare package with Pall Mall Cosmetics will include a full programme of post-operative care. This will involve clinical reviews and wound checks to make sure you are healing well.

You can expect scarring from this procedure. It is common to have a scar running across the full width of your lower tummy area and around the belly button. This is normally aligned to your underwear line so that it can be concealed with your day to day clothing. The appearance of the scar can take up to 12 months to improve but will not disappear completely. Your surgeon can explain this fully within your consultation.

You should avoid any strenuous physical activity, exertion through work or sport and gym exercise during the first 4 – 6 weeks following surgery. This prevents any increased fluid accumulation and enables your body to focus upon healing faster for a full recovery.

You can drive again when you feel comfortable and physically able to control the car (such as being able to perform an emergency stop). This is commonly around 2–3 weeks following tummy tuck surgery but is highly dependent on how fast you’re recovering. You should always inform your car insurance company after undergoing a procedure like this one.

This would depend on the nature of your job and how you’re progressing with your recovery. It is common to require 2-3 weeks off work, but it differs from patient to patient. If you are an office worker, doing only light administrative tasks, you will be physically able to return quicker than a person who has a more physical job. If you need to move/lift heavy items or have a very hands on job, it would be ideal to arrange a couple of weeks of lighter tasks upon your return too, as exertion can cause side  effects and reduce your ongoing recovery.

A Tummy Tuck is around a 2-3 hour operation.

Our patients often combine a Tummy Tuck with breast surgery and Liposuction. This is our ‘mummy makeover’ package, where we see mothers coming for surgery post childbirth to regain their confidence and reverse the changes to their body post pregnancy.

Following your surgery, you will have some pain and discomfort for the first few days - taking regular painkillers will help. There will be some swelling and bruising around your stomach, the majority of this will subside in 6-8 weeks.

Sitting in an upright position with pillows below your knees will reduce any pressure or stretch on your stomach. You will be discharged with medications to take to help control your pain; follow the instructions given to you on your discharge.

Following abdominoplasty, you will often have drains inserted to your stomach to help remove excess fluid and reduce swelling. Your nurse will often remove these before your discharge however the surgeon may at times request you go home with them in, and you will return after a few days for removal. Removal of drains should cause minimal pain as you will find the area will remain fairly numb at the start of your recovery.

You might feel drowsy for the first few hours - this is related to the anaesthetic and medication given for the surgery. You may feel tired for several weeks or months after the surgery.

Limit your activities for the first week to avoid unnecessary bleeding. However, do not remain immobile due to the risk of deep vein thrombosis- keep stockings on until you have returned to your normal mobility.

For the first week ensure you walk bent over so as to not fully straighten your stomach. You should also sleep with pillows under your knees and sit upright at around 45-degree angle. This will avoid any tension on the wound during the start of the healing process - you will gradually be able to straighten up as normal.

Do not engage in any strenuous activity during the first few weeks after your surgery. Be sure to avoid vigorous or excessive stretching or lifting for 4-6 weeks

Leave dressings intact until they are removed in the clinic. You will usually have dissolvable sutures in place - these will dissolve 1-2 weeks following surgery. It is common to have some blood strike through onto the dressings but if it appears fully soaked or leaking through, please contact your clinic for an early dressing change.

Avoid getting the wound wet until all the dressings are removed. After they have been removed only shower; avoid soaking your wound in the bath for 6-8 weeks postoperatively

Avoid smoking and using any nicotine products during your recovery as this will affect your body's ability to recover and will delay wound healing.

Please inform staff if you take any other medications to minimise the risk of contraindications. 

Complete the full course of antibiotics if prescribed and take your painkillers as prescribed. Avoid any medications that contain aspirin as they will thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding. Your normal bowel action may be disrupted following surgery - you may take a mild over-the-counter laxative if required.

Fluids are critical following surgery. Stick with a light, nutritious diet for the first 24-48 hours. Following your surgery it is important to eat foods high in protein and full of vitamins and minerals to help aid the healing process.

We have a dedicated nurse on call team, you should contact them immediately if you experience any of the following:

• A high fever, (over 38c).

• Severe nausea and vomiting.

• Continued dizziness or incoherent behaviour, such as hallucinations.

• Any pain that cannot be controlled by your pain medication.

• Excessive bleeding leading to your dressings leaking.

Most tummy tuck procedures leave a horizontal scar across the lower abdomen, usually placed low enough to be hidden under underwear or swimwear. In some cases, a vertical scar may also be required (often with a “fleur-de-lis” tummy tuck).

Scar healing varies, but most patients see significant improvement within 6–12 months. Scars continue to mature and fade for up to 18–24 months.