Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) London

There are a number of abdominoplasty procedures available:

Full Abdominoplasty – Suitable for men and women who have a large amount of excess skin. A full tummy tuck is also referred to as a standard tummy tuck, it removes fat, repairs torn muscles and removes any excess skin.
Read all about Braidy’s experience

Extended Abdominoplasty – This is recommended to patients with excess fat and skin in the flanks, upper hip, and lower back regions. This procedure will remove skin and fat from all of these areas while also repairing any torn muscles.

Mini Abdominoplasty – For patients who have a smaller amount of tissue between the area below the tummy button to above the pubic region, your skin in this area may have a dimpled texture but doesn’t actually over-hang.

Brazilian Tummy Tuck (Lipoabdominoplasty) – The combination of a tummy tuck with liposuction, this option is best for patients with more excess skin than fat. It aims to achieve what a full (classic) abdominoplasty does but with less risk and a quicker recovery time. It is becoming more common to remove stubborn pockets of fat and leave you with a slimmer contour.

The first step in the procedure is to perform liposuction of the entire front abdominal wall and usually also lipo of the flanks before a tummy tuck procedure is performed.

Mini Brazilian Abdominoplasty (Lipominiabdominoplasty) – this is suitable for men and women with a smaller area of abdominal skin and fat that requires removal, a limited or ‘mini’ abdominoplasty can also be performed in the ‘Brazilian’-style with liposuction performed first.

Your surgeon will advise you on what type of abdominoplasty is right for you to achieve the best possible outcome.

There are a range of different types of abdominoplasty procedures available. The best option for you will depend on your own personal situation and the results you are looking to see. These include:

• Complete abdominoplasty – the most common type of tummy tuck procedure.
• Partial or mini abdominoplasty – for when less tissue is required to be removed.
• Extended abdominoplasty – performed when tissue from areas other than the abdomen have to be removed.

Your surgeon will discuss your options at your consultation and advise you what type of abdominoplasty you need.

Before surgery, your surgeon will take a thorough medical history, reviewing any medications you are taking, any allergies you have, and if you have had any prior surgeries. Your surgeon will also perform a physical examination to measure the extent of excess fat and the degree of loose skin in your abdominal region. It is likely your surgeon will ask you to stop taking certain medications including aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and blood thinners, all of which can increase bleeding risk.

Abdominoplasty is most commonly performed under general anaesthetic.

The surgery usually begins with an incision just above the pubic area, along the bikini line across the abdomen, from hipbone to hipbone. A second incision will be made around the belly button to free it from the abdominal tissue. The skin will be separated from the abdominal wall exposing the abdominal muscles (rectus muscles). The rectus muscles will be stitched back into position, tightening the muscles and reducing the waistline. After the muscles have been repositioned and tightened, excess skin will be removed. The remaining skin will be placed over the abdominal area and stitched into place. The belly button will then be brought out through the skin in its new location.

A tummy tuck is an effective procedure, which in many cases does not require repeat surgery. However, pregnancy or significant weight gain followed by weight loss may result in excess stomach skin which may require a repeat abdominoplasty. Your surgeon will discuss steps to ensure lasting results.

Once the procedure is complete, the recovery team will ensure you are fit and well before taking you back to your private room. Your post-surgical garment will be provided for you and will be in situ when you wake up.

It is natural to experience some discomfort and pain immediately following an abdominoplasty procedure. You should allow for time to recover following surgery, which normally takes around 6-8 weeks.

As with any surgery, an abdominoplasty comes with a risk of complications which will be discussed in your consultation. If you have any worries following surgery, such as prolonged or heightened pain, we can help with our comprehensive MyBreast aftercare promise.

A tummy tuck can get rid of stretch marks but only on excess skin that is removed. Surgery may not be able to remove them all because some stretch marks may be on areas of skin that are not removed with the surgery. Stretch marks occur on anybody who experiences weight gain followed by rapid weight loss.

They are caused as a result of fractured collagen in the skin that quickly stretches. Overstretched skin, with fractured collagen, loses its ability to shrink or contract. Stretch marks can be purple or red in colour at first, they then naturally fade to white once scar tissue develops over time, this can take from 12 to 18 months.

Pregnancy can alter the results of a tummy tuck procedure in the same way as weight gain, so the appearance of stretch marks, separation of the muscles, and other factors may determine if revision surgery is needed after the baby’s birth.

Not all pregnancies are planned, so it is important to know that pregnancy after tummy tuck is possible and reasonably safe but not recommended.

The best age for a tummy tuck is above 35 or when you’ve had your last child. Having a tummy tuck is a big decision to take when diet and exercise alone will not help – and for women whose skin has been stretched after having had several children. It is major surgery and you need to be fit, so for long lasting results and the best recovery we would recommend the best age is between 35-65.

MyBreast director Norman Waterhouse talks you through Abdominoplasty

Click here for video transcript

Tummy Tuck prices are quoted individually and tailored to your specific needs as every patient’s requirements are unique and you may desire Lipomodelling performed on other areas of your body. At your £25 surgeon consultation, you will receive a premium cosmetic surgery experience, your surgeon will fully examine you and discuss your personal surgical requirements. Then they will talk you through exactly how much your procedure will cost based on your precise requirements, so there will be no surprises and no hidden extras. Take a look at our guide prices page, you can use our starting price as a general indication of a Tummy Tuck cost and also see what a maximum budget could be for a more complicated or intensive procedure. Your surgeon will see you for all appointments leading up to your Tummy Tuck surgery, and the journey afterwards. Our pre- and post-operative care is uniquely personalised. With detailed pre-surgery care notes and comprehensive aftercare instructions, you will enjoy a first-class experience.

Your Tummy Tuck Surgery cost includes:

• A 40-minute consultation with one of the UK’s most qualified and experienced specialist cosmetic surgeons
• After your first consultation, if required, a second and third consultation
• All your procedure costs and overnight stay
• Our MyBreast lifetime aftercare – we offer all patients follow up appointments for life so you can give us a call 5 or even 10 years after your surgery and pop in and see your operating surgeon whenever you like

Our commitment to you, which you will experience through our long-term care policy, is just as serious as your commitment to having surgery. If you’d prefer not to make the full payment up front, we also offer Finance Packages so you can spread out your payments.

At any point if you have questions or concerns, we will be available to support you. Please call one of our friendly patient advisers on 0203 642 1490 who will be on hand to assist you.