For people concerned with their weight or loose skin around the abdomen, a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) can be the perfect treatment to help combat these insecurities by leaving patients with a flatter, more contoured stomach. Of course, like any surgical treatment, a tummy tuck is a big investment of time and money, so you need to be certain beforehand that you’ve made the right decision. Part of this decision will likely depend on the results that can be achieved and how long these will last.
In this article, we explain the difference between full and partial abdominoplasty and the results that each can achieve. Plus, we’ll provide some top recovery tips and how to ensure your tummy tuck results last a lifetime.
If you’re considering abdominoplasty, the first step is to attend a free consultation. During this appointment, we’ll assess the treatment area and discuss with you the results you would like to achieve. This will help us to determine whether a full or partial abdominoplasty will be right for you.
Both full and partial abdominoplasty treatments require a general anaesthetic and at least one night in hospital, though you may require a slightly longer stay depending on how you’re healing.
Full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
During a full abdominoplasty, two incisions are made, one just above the pubic area between the hip bones and a second around the navel to free it from the surrounding tissue.
Following this, the skin is separated from the abdominal wall up to the ribs and a large skin flap is lifted to reveal the vertical muscles in your abdomen. These muscles are tightened by pulling them close together and stitching them into their new position. This results in a firmer abdominal wall and a narrower waistline.
The layer of the skin is then stretched down and the excess skin is removed. A new hole is cut for the navel, which is then stitched in place. Finally, the incision is stitched, we apply dressings, and a tube is temporarily inserted to drain excess fluid from beneath the skin.
Partial abdominoplasty (mini tummy tuck)
In a mini tummy tuck, we make one smaller incision between your hips and separate the skin between the incision line and the navel. Unlike the full abdominoplasty, in a partial abdominoplasty, the navel itself is not always repositioned.
Once we have made the incision, we treat the lower abdominal muscles, pulling them closer together and stitching them into their new position. The layer of skin is then stretched downwards, the excess tissue is removed, and the skin stitched back into place.
Your consultation is the best way to determine which treatment is best for you to achieve your desired results. But to help you feel confident you’re getting the stomach you’re dreaming of, we offer Vectra-XT 3D modelling within our clinic. This service uses cutting-edge technology to provide you with realistic images of how your body will look post-treatment to help you decide if this is right for you.
When considering if now is the right time to have a tummy tuck to achieve your desired results, you should bear in mind that it’s best to postpone surgery if you intend to lose a significant amount of weight or expect future pregnancies, as this may lead to the need for secondary, corrective treatment.
Once you’ve determined a tummy tuck is right for you, proper preparation and aftercare are the best ways to ensure you achieve the best results that can last a lifetime. At your consultation and ahead of treatment, you’ll be advised on the best steps to take to prepare yourself such as eating a balanced diet, keeping your body fit and healthy, quitting smoking, and ensuring you’re taking the necessary vitamins to keep your body at full health. Being in a great state, both physically and mentally, ahead of any surgical treatment is one of the best ways to ensure a speedy recovery and great results.
Following treatment, you will be taken care of by our excellent aftercare team for 1-2 nights. Before you leave our clinic, we will be sure to prescribe you any necessary pain relief medication and provide instructions for your recovery. These will include getting enough rest, avoiding driving or exercise for a few weeks post-treatment, and keeping active by getting up and walking around to help encourage blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clots.
A tummy tuck is a permanent treatment with results that can last a lifetime providing you maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and live a healthy lifestyle. This will ensure your weight remains stable and minimises the chances you will require further treatment.
If you’re excited to begin your abdominoplasty journey to help you feel confident in your body, the next step is to book an initial consultation with our abdominoplasty specialist, Mr James Murphy. In your consultation, we’ll walk you through the treatment in more detail and answer any questions you have about recovery and maintaining your great new stomach. You can book a consultation using the form below to start preparing for your new body.
