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Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)Published by Bupa's health information team, December 2007. This factsheet is for people who are considering having tummy tuck surgery. This is an operation to remove excess fat and skin from your tummy and tighten your abdominal muscles. Your care will be adapted to meet your individual needs and may differ from what is described here. So it's important that you follow your surgeon's advice.
About tummy tuck surgeryTummy tuck surgery, also called abdominoplasty, can give you a tighter, flatter stomach and reduce the appearance of stretch marks on your lower abdomen. The operation can remove folds of skin left behind after losing a lot of weight, and tighten stretched skin and muscles after pregnancy in women who don't plan to have another baby. Tummy tuck surgery is not a treatment for weight control or a substitute for regular physical activity and a healthy, balanced diet. The results of a tummy tuck can be long-lasting, especially if you exercise, eat a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight after your operation. What are the alternatives?Alternative options include:
Getting adviceIt's important not to rush into the decision to have cosmetic surgery. Discuss your options with your GP, who may be able to recommend a reputable surgeon or give advice about how to choose which hospital to be treated in. Before opting for a tummy tuck, discuss with your surgeon what you are hoping to gain from the operation and the result you can realistically expect. Preparing for your operationYour surgeon will explain how to prepare for your operation. You may be asked to:
A tummy tuck usually requires a one or two night stay in hospital and is done under general anaesthesia. This means you will be asleep during the procedure. Typically you must not eat or drink for about six hours before a general anaesthetic. However some anaesthetists allow occasional sips of water until two hours beforehand. At the hospital your nurse will explain how you will be cared for during your stay. Your nurse may do some tests such as checking your heart rate and blood pressure, and testing your urine. Your surgeon will usually visit you to discuss the operation and ask you to sign a consent form. This confirms that you understand the risks, benefits and possible alternatives to the procedure and have given your permission for it to go ahead. Your surgeon may draw on your tummy to mark the operation site and may take photographs so that the results of surgery can be compared with your original appearance. Your nurse will prepare you for theatre. You will be asked to wear compression stockings to help prevent blood clots forming in the veins in your legs. You will be measured for a support garment to wear after the operation. About the operationThe operation takes two to three hours. There are three types of tummy tuck depending on how much skin and fat you want removed. Your surgeon will explain which type is most suitable for you. Standard tummy tuckSurgical cuts are made into your abdomen and above your bikini line. Your belly button is cut from the surrounding skin. Very stretched or torn muscles are pulled together and stitched in place. Excess fat is removed, and your skin is pulled down and the excess trimmed off. Your belly button is repositioned to fit the new shape. Cuts are closed with stitches and your lower abdomen is firmly strapped with bandages. You will have a scar around your belly button and a long curved scar along your bikini line, which can usually be hidden inside your underwear. Mini tummy tuckThe skin and fat below your belly button is removed leaving a long curved scar along your bikini line. Extended tummy tuckExcess skin and fat from your abdomen and back is removed. You will have a scar around your belly button and a long curved scar along your bikini line and around your back.
What to expect afterwardsYou will need to rest until the effects of the general anaesthetic have passed. You will be given painkillers to help relieve any discomfort. You may have a catheter (a fine tube) fitted to drain urine from your bladder into a bag. This means that you don't have to get up to go to the toilet straight after the operation. You may have fine plastic tubes running from under the skin on your tummy for up to 48 hours. These allow blood and fluids to drain into a bag. You may have a drip in your arm to keep you hydrated. It's usually removed when you can drink enough fluid. The catheter is usually taken out during the first day. You may feel uncomfortable to begin with and have sudden urges to pass urine, some dribbling or difficulty emptying your bladder. This should pass within 24 hours. You will be wearing the elasticated garment to support your abdomen. Keep your knees bent when you are in bed to stop putting strain on your stitches. Bend forward a little when you are walking and hold your stomach if you need to cough or sneeze. It's important to do deep breathing exercises to help to reduce the risk of getting a chest infection. Your doctor or nurse can show you how to do these. Stitches in your skin are usually removed in five to seven days. Deeper stitches are taken out two to three weeks after surgery. Recovering from a tummy tuckIf you need them, you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Follow the instructions in the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine and ask your pharmacist for advice. Deeper wounds will heal more slowly. Sometimes dressings are needed for a few weeks. You may experience some tightness around the healing wound, but this is more common in patients who are overweight and who smoke. Don't strain or stretch the healing wound as this will increase swelling and slow your recovery. Continue wearing your support garment for at least a month. Most people can return to work after two to four weeks, but don't do any vigorous activity for at least six weeks. What are the risks?A tummy tuck is commonly performed and generally safe. However, in order to make an informed decision and give your consent, you need to be aware of the possible side-effects and the risk of complications of this procedure. Side-effectsThese are the unwanted, but mostly temporary effects of a successful procedure, for example feeling sick as a result of the general anaesthetic. Side-effects of a tummy tuck include:
ComplicationsThis is when problems occur during or after the operation. Most people are not affected. The possible complications of any operation include an unexpected reaction to the anaesthetic, excessive bleeding, or developing a blood clot, usually in a vein in the leg (deep vein thrombosis, DVT). Specific complications of tummy tuck are uncommon, but can include:
The final position of your belly button may be off centre, and there's a small risk of losing your belly button completely. There's a small chance that a blood clot can form in the blood vessels and move to the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism and can be life-threatening. It's possible that you may not be completely satisfied with your appearance after the operation. The exact risks are specific to you and will differ for every person, so we have not included statistics here. Ask your surgeon to explain how these risks apply to you. Further information
Related topicsSources
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by cosmetic surgeon Anthony Attwood, MB BS, FRCS (Ed.) and by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional. Publication date: December 2007.
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