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Tummy Tuck Fact Sheet

The objective

A tummy tuck - or abdominoplasty - is surgery to remove excess skin and fat from the stomach area, as well as tighten stretched abdominal muscles, improving its appearance. The operation will remove stretch marks below the navel and may improve the look of stretch marks in other areas. Abdominoplasty is not a solution to a weight problem; results are generally better with people in their normal weight range.

The procedure

The operation is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic and takes about 2-5 hours.

The surgeon will make an incision across the base of the stomach and a section of skin and fat is removed from between the belly button and pubic bone, and across to the hip bone. The surgeon may also tighten stomach muscles through stitching them together if needed. The skin above the navel is pulled down and a new hole is cut for the belly button to be repositioned into. Sometimes, liposuction is needed if there are large amounts of fat deposits.

A ‘mini-tuck’, which is less extensive and leaves a smaller scar, may be an option, if it is only excess skin that needs removing.

The outcome

Following surgery, drains - tubes used to remove blood or other fluids from a wound to help healing - are left at the incision site for 1-2 days and you may have to wear a special corset for several weeks. Any permanent stitches will need removing after 10 days. An incision scar will be left across the bikini line area, reaching from hip to hip, with a scar around the tummy button.

You will usually be able to leave the hospital after two days. You will be required to take around 2-4 weeks off work and strenuous activity must be avoided for six weeks.

You should have a flatter, smoother and tighter tummy as a result of this surgery. However, the abdomen will be very swollen for many weeks or months and results may not be fully seen for up to 12 months.

The risks

All general anaesthesias carry associated risks, but complications particular to abdominoplasty include infection, problems with wound healing, and fluid build-up under the skin (seroma), as well as haematoma (blood clot under the skin).

Necrosis, where the blood supply is affected and the skin dies, is a rare but serious risk.

Some patients experience reduced sensation in the treated area, which can last up to two years or occasionally be permanent.

More common are scar healing problems and the development of red, unsightly or lumpy scars. ‘Dog-ears’ - small flaps of excess skin at the ends of the scar - are a common problem, occurring when the surgeon avoids making the scar too big.

The costs

In the UK, expect to pay around £2,000 - £4,650 for a ‘mini-tuck’ and £4,000 - £6,000 for major abdominoplasty. Abroad, expect to pay around £1,800 (Tunisia) to £5,000 (Spain).

The availability

Abdominoplasty is a widely-available procedure at most private cosmetic surgery clinics in the UK and abroad.

The popularity

Women who have had children and have been left with sagging post-pregnancy skin or have lost muscle tightness often have tummy tucks, as well as people who have lost a lot of weight and have been left with excess fat and skin.

More pages

Page 1: The objective

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