Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A tummy tuck removes excess abdominal skin and fat, tightens the underlying muscles, and repairs a diastasis recti (separation of the six-pack muscles) that pregnancy or significant weight loss can leave behind. It is a body-contouring operation, not a weight-loss operation.

Patients with loose lower-abdominal skin, muscle separation, or a fatty apron that will not respond to diet, weight loss, or liposuction alone. A stable weight, non-smoker status, no active plans for future pregnancy, and realistic expectations are the essentials.

You leave hospital the next day, drains are usually removed within a week, desk work resumes at 10–14 days, and gym-level activity at 6 weeks. A compression garment is worn for 4–6 weeks. The scar sits low, matures over 12 months, and is designed to be covered by underwear.

A full abdominoplasty addresses skin from above the belly button downward and repairs the muscle. A mini is for a small amount of lower-belly skin only. A fleur-de-lis (with a vertical scar) is reserved for very significant post-bariatric skin excess. The choice depends on where the excess is and how much muscle separation exists.

Yes — liposuction of the flanks or waist is often combined in the same session to give a fully contoured result. This is one of the most common combined body-contouring operations we perform.