Abdominoplasty

None of these procedures should be performed in the consultancy room. Liposuction must also be performed in the operating theatre, under strict aseptic conditions, and under the control of our anaesthesiology team.

Abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia, during which you will be asleep until the surgery is completed. However, in some cases, especially for mini-abdominoplasty and abdominal liposuction, epidural anaesthesia or local anaesthesia plus sedation may be used, so that during the surgery you will be awake but relaxed, and the abdominal region will be insensitive to pain.

A full abdominoplasty usually takes around two to four hours, depending on the extent of the area to be treated. A mini-abdominoplasty usually takes one to two hours. The tummy tuck is performed by making a long incision from hip to hip, just above the pubic bone. Dr Mir will mark where the incision will be made before surgery. It is done as low as possible so that the scar is below the swimsuit/bikini line. A second incision is made around the navel to separate it from the surrounding tissues.

The skin of the abdominal wall is then separated upwards until it reaches the ribs, exposing the abdominal muscles. These muscles are tightened and pulled together in the mid-line, providing a firm abdominal wall and a narrower waist. The separated skin is stretched towards the pubis and the excess skin excised; and the belly button is placed in its new position. Sutures are made and two temporary drainage tubes are placed to remove any excess fluid that may accumulate in the operated area. Finally, an abdominal binder is fitted.

Mini-abdominoplasty requires a much smaller incision, also made above the pubis, and there is no need for an incision around the navel, which in some cases can be lowered by stretching the skin. The skin is separated only between the incision and the navel, the excess skin is removed and sutures are used.

During the first few days the abdomen is usually somewhat swollen and you may notice some discomfort or pain that is easily controlled with painkillers. Although you should not stretch at first (during the first week), you should start walking as soon as possible. The external skin stitches will be removed after seven days, and the internal stitches (the ends of which come out at each end of the incision), in two to three weeks.

It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to feel completely normal. If your pre-surgery physical condition was good and your abdominal muscles strong, your recovery time from abdominoplasty surgery will be quicker. Some people return to work in about two weeks, while others need three to four weeks of rest and recovery.

Lymphatic drainage massages and physical exercise will aid recovery. Even people who did not usually do any sport before surgery should follow an exercise routine to reduce swelling, reduce the possibility of venous thrombus forming and tone the muscles. However, strenuous exercise should be avoided until you feel comfortable.

Scars may appear to worsen for the first three to six months while they are healing; this is normal. It takes nine months to a year for the scar to flatten and lighten. Although the scars never completely disappear, they will not be visible, even when using a bikini or swimwear.