Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Abdominoplasty surgery is usually done when the patient is struggling to get rid of excess skin and stubborn fat.

For example –

• After a person drops a lot of weight and has a lot of loose skin.
• After pregnancy your abdominal muscles become slack.
• You are left with abdominal scarring after an injury or other surgery.
• The tummy tuck may be part of another operation such as hernia repair

But, it must be remembered, a tummy tuck is not a quick fix for losing weight. Nor will it stop you gaining weight in the future.

Both men and women can have this surgery. Many people believe that this type of plastic surgery is usually performed on Women. Mr El Gawad is a cosmetic surgeon with over a decade of plastic surgery experience. He offers Abdominoplasty surgery (or Tummy Tuck) in Manchester, Newton Le Willows, Bolton and Liverpool (Private Hospital as well as NHS). Mr El Gawad reports that the number of men, booking in to have this popular surgery, is rising year on year.

In some cases, although not strictly an alternative, you might be able to instead have liposuction to help reshape the abdomen. A special machine is used to remove excess fat from under the skin.

This depends on the quality of the skin and how elastic it is. Liposuction is done to remove only excess fat, whereas a tummy tuck gets rid of excess skin as well as fat. On a younger patient, who has elastic skin, the skin will shrink back. Whereas if you have loose skin or muscles before surgery, liposuction on its own will not be effective.

Liposuction is very often used as well as a tummy tuck.

If you decide to go ahead and have a tummy tuck in Liverpool, Manchester, Bolton or Newton Le Willows: with expert cosmetic surgeon Mr El Gawad. You would have one or more consultations before the operation takes place.  During these consultations, Mr El Gawad will discuss what will happen before, during and after the operation: As well as explaining any pain you might experience.

Your body will be reassessed before surgery. Photographs may also be taken for your medical records. Before your surgery takes place, expect your surgeon to mark the position of the intended surgical cuts on your stomach with a surgical pen.

Other considerations may include:

•  Smoking. If you are a smoker it is advised that you stop up to eight weeks before your surgery. Smoking can significantly affect your rate of recovery. For example your chances of  getting a chest and wound infection increase if you smoke. Wounds in smokers may heal more slowly: As the amount of blood that reaches the skin is reduced.
• Your current weight. It is advised that you are as close to your ideal weight as possible before surgery takes place.
• Contraception. To reduce the chances of you suffering from blood clots (thrombosis), it is advised that you stop taking the contraceptive pill four to six weeks before surgery.  Its important to make sure that you use an alternative method of contraception.

It depends on the degree of surgery that you require….

Tummy Tuck cosmetic surgery, performed by expert Mr El Gawad is usually done under general anaesthesia,  is usually done under general anaesthesia. This means you will be totally asleep during the operation.

You’ll probably be asked to avoid food or drink for several hours before the operation takes place. However, it’s important to follow your anaesthetist’s advice that will be relevant to your individual case.

Explore the different types of surgery in the tabs below to discover what usually happens during the actual operation. His clinic locations include public and private hospitals in Liverpool, Manchester, Newton Le Willows or Bolton.

A mini tummy tuck is a type of cosmetic surgery is done on patients who only need to have a small amount of skin or fat removed.

What happens during surgery?

• The surgeon will make a large cut across the lower area on your stomach.
• The skin will then be separated from the abdominal wall just below the tummy button – excess fat and skin will be removed.
• The skin will then be pulled back together and stitched into place.

The scarring will be slightly shorter than with a standard tummy tuck. The belly button will stay in the same place although it may be slightly different in shape.

What happens during surgery?

• Your surgeon will make a large cut across the lower part of your tummy, Just above the pubic area from hip to hip.
• A second cut is then made to free the belly button from all the tissue that surrounds it.
• Your surgeon will then separate the skin from your abdominal wall and realign the abdominal muscles.
• Excess fat and skin will then be removed before cutting a new hole for your belly button and stitching this back in place.
• The muscles will be repaired and tightened. This is a key point when reshaping the tummy appearance. The remaining skin will be pulled back together and stitched back into place.
• Liposuction could also be used to sculpture the curves and offer superb definition.

Scarring

You will have a long curved scar on your abdomen, just above your pubic area. The scar is usually slightly higher on men than women: This is due to the normal pattern of the pubic hair.  Usually it is possible to hide these scars with underwear, swimwear or shorts.  A scar will also be present around the belly button.

Most cases will be in surgery for 2 to 3 hours although this may vary depending on the individual case. Most patients will then stay in the private hospital for several days to make sure everything is ok.

Tummy tuck cosmetic surgery can be quite painful. You will be offered pain relief to help with any discomfort you have.

After you have been discharged from hospital after having a Tummy Tuck procedure, You would leave with dressings and a pressure garment (corset) on your tummy, or tummy control pants.  This is a preventative measure; to help stop blood clots from forming in the veins in your legs.

You will not be able to drive after a tummy tuck therefore someone would need to drive you home.

It’s recommended that you have someone stay with you for the following 24 hours after leaving hospital.

Drains can be used to help with comfort. They collect any excess fluid that is present and helps to relieve pressure on your abdomen.  Drains are usually removed within a few days after surgery.

Mr El Gawad provides a drain free Tummy Tuck technique.

To ensure everything is healing correctly, your surgeon will likely want to do a wound check a couple of weeks after the procedure.

Of course if you have any concerns in the meantime you must contact your surgeon or phone emergency medical care.

When you get home from having your tummy tuck in Manchester, Liverpool or nearby, some people may find it beneficial to rest in bed for an extra day or two.

When you do get up and move around; try to avoid doing any movements that put stress specifically on your tummy muscles. It is advisable to use two pillows under the knee while sleeping to relieve any pressure on the muscle repair. When getting out of bed, after a tummy tuck, it may help if you try to roll sideways to get out of bed.

The important thing is not to try to do too much too soon. Start your movement initially with a gentle walk around your home. Let your pain guide you. When you feel comfortable you can start to do things like make drinks or small meals. When your comfort increases you can start to take longer walks of maybe 5 to 10 minutes at a time.

It is also worth noting that when walking, you may find yourself stooping forward for a few days. This will gradually improve until you are walking with a straight back.

Ask your surgeon for individual advice dependant on the surgery you have had.

There is no straight answer to that! It depends on the job that you do and how you feel. Someone who does an office job for example would be-able to return to work much quicker than someone who lifts heavy things or has a very hands on job. 

But as a minimum try to take 2 to 4 weeks off work after your procedure is done.

Over activity in the early days reduces healing and increases fluid accumulation.

Expect it to take 4 to 6 weeks before you can go back to your normal exercise activities.

It is advised that you do not attempt to do any vigorous sports (or any activity) or carry anything heavy (including heavy shopping) for at least four to six weeks after you have had tummy tuck surgery.  One of the functions of the abdominal muscles is to protect the back when you lift things: Therefore you need to take special care until you are fully healed.    Be sure to speak to your surgeon – and ask for personalised advice depending on the type of tummy tuck surgery that you have had.

You will see an instant improvement after you have had surgery. However it may be up to 6 months after surgery until you see your final result after having a tummy tuck.

This usually happens in the early few hours to few days. This may require a visit back to theatre.

This usually happens in the first few days. This may need a course of antibiotics.

This may need frequent dressings and would leave a stretched scar. The scar could be revised at a later stage.

This usually happens in the belly button area but may happen along the scar line as well.

Collection of tissue fluid in the wound. This may need drainage by a syringe. However, the chances of re-accumulation are inevitable.

Scarring may be permanently become asymmetrical, red or lumpy . No guarantee about the quality of the scar. No control what so ever on the individual body healing.

This is bulging folds of skin at the end of the scar. This may require revision surgery to improve the appearance.

Sutures; may spontaneously surface to skin and needs removal.