Abdominoplasty Sydney
An abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical technique aimed at sculpting and refining your midsection. A full tummy tuck usually includes muscle repair of the abdominal wall, while a mini abdominoplasty/tummy tuck is skin-only. During this procedure, the muscles of your abdominal wall are skilfully tightened to restore a more youthful or pre-pregnancy appearance, while surplus skin and fatty tissue are eliminated, resulting in a firmer and well-defined stomach. Dr Scott Turner has expertise in the realm of abdominoplasty and tummy tuck surgeries.
The Australian Government has reinstated a Medicare Item Number for a Tummy Tuck for some post-pregnancy patients with Diastasis Recti (Split Tummy Muscles) if you are eligible and meet the new criteria. This new Medicare item number -30175 – will be effective 1st July 2022.
Why have a Tummy Tuck?
Sometimes even with a rigorous diet and exercise regime, you cannot achieve the flat and sculpted abdominal contours that you desire. Changes that occur during ageing and life events such as pregnancy and weight fluctuation may result in permanent changes to your body that you aren’t comfortable with. Abdominal muscles may have stretched and weakened and an accumulation of fatty deposits and excess loose skin in the abdominal region may have occurred. These changes are completely normal, however, changes nonetheless which do not respond to diet or exercise. A Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty can help.
What is an Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck?
An Abdominoplasty is a procedure that aims to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, improve abdominal contour, tone, and function. The skin and muscles around your abdominal area may have been loosened over time by age, pregnancy, significant weight loss, prior surgery and hereditary factors.
A tummy tuck is suitable for both women and men who are healthy, in good physical shape and have maintained a stable weight for at least 3 months prior to surgery- your BMI should be below 30 to be considered a suitable tummy tuck candidate.
Dr Turner performs his tummy tuck procedures under general anaesthesia in a fully accredited private hospital with the assistance of a qualified anaesthetist. The operation can take between 2 and 5 hours and patients are required to stay in hospital overnight.
Generally, a horizontal incision is placed in the pubic region, exact placement and incision length will vary depending on the amount of skin to be removed and your abdominal structure. The final scar is designed to fall discreetly within your underwear and swimsuit lines.
Drainage tubes are usually left in place for up to a week after surgery and you will need to wear a compression garment for 6 weeks post-surgery. Any bruising or swelling will resolve in the majority by 6 weeks but can persist for several months. Light activity can resume 2-3 weeks following the procedure, any heavy lifting and vigorous activity should be avoided for up to 8 weeks.
You may have also heard of Lipo-Abdominoplasty, which is the act of performing liposuction prior to cutting the skin during an abdominoplasty. Liposuction is required in almost all abdominoplasty cases due to its ability to refine and contour the abdomen and hips.
Benefits of an Abdominoplasty – Tummy Tuck Surgery
An abdominoplasty procedure (tummy tuck) is best suited for women and men alike if you are healthy, in good physical shape and close to your ideal body weight. If painstaking dieting and regular exercising haven’t helped you flatten a bulging stomach, or tighten loss skin that is covered in stretch marks, surgery may improve your overall appearance, so you can once again you can feel confident in form-fitting clothes and no longer hide your shape in loose-fitting garments.
Some of the many benefits of abdominoplasty surgery include:
• Remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen
• Strengthen underlying abdominal muscles
• Improve contours of the torso
• Reduce irritation, chafing and infections in lower abdominal fold
• Improve exercise tolerance and assist with weight loss activities
Am I Suitable For An Abdominoplasty?
The best candidates for a tummy tuck are those close to their ideal weight, in good health, non-smokers and whose abdomen causes health problems, interfere with routine activities, or make them feel self-conscious.
Please note: Dr Turner does not perform abdominoplasty surgery on current smokers or patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 – a healthy range is 20-25. It is important that all patients undergoing abdominoplasty cease smoking or nicotine intake (including patches/gums) for at least 6 weeks pre and 12 weeks post-surgery.
See Tummy Tuck Before and After Photos
To see more Before and After Tummy Tuck Photos – visit Dr Turner’s Abdo Gallery
The information provided is for general purposes only, it is not intended to replace a professional consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon. Invasive procedures carry inherent risks and potential complications which will be discussed in detail. Results vary and should be used only as a guide as every client is unique, which is why a second opinion is advisable. Learn more at, https://drturner.com.au
Quick Facts about Tummy Tuck
Anaesthesia: | General Anaesthesia |
In/Outpatient: | Inpatient |
Length of surgery: | 2-4 hours |
Recovery: | Most patients are back to work in approximately 10 – 14 days when swelling and bruising resolves. We advise our patients to avoid strenuous activity for 1 month. |
Results: | Final results are seen within 6 months, and the duration of those results vary from one person to another due to the quality of their skin, ageing and weight changes. |
What is an Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck?
Abdominoplasty Techniques
Abdominoplasty surgery or a tummy tuck is performed under general anaesthesia in a fully accredited private hospital with the assistance of a qualified anaesthetist. Expect the operation to take between two and four hours, and you will be required to stay in hospital for at least one night, maximum two nights. There have been significant advances in abdominoplasty techniques over the past few years, making it safer with a faster recovery than ever before. The abdominoplasty technique used will vary depending on the patient’s anatomy and individual desires.
Many different techniques are available to improve the abdominal contours, the techniques vary largely based on how extensive liposuction is utilised and the length of the abdominal incision which is required.
Different Types of Abdominoplasty & Tummy Tucks
1 – Mini Tummy Tuck or Mini Abdominoplasty – usually not including tummy muscle repair
A mini tummy tuck or mini abdominoplasty targets predominantly the lower abdomen below the belly button (umbilicus). This is an excellent option for many patients with excellent skin quality on the majority of the abdomen however, are affected by excess fatty tissue and loose overlying skin limited to the lower abdomen.
The scar with a mini tummy tuck is only a few centimetres longer than a caesarean section scar and is always hidden within your bikini line. During a mini tummy tuck Dr Turner frequently performs liposuction to the remaining abdominal area and repair any muscle separation if required to give an overall improvement to the whole abdomen.
2 – Full Abdominoplasty or Full Tummy Tuck – including muscle repair
A full abdominoplasty or tummy tuck targets both the lower and upper abdomen. During a full abdominoplasty the entire abdominal skin is re-draped and the underlying abdominal muscles are tightened. Due to the amount of abdominal area skin that is removed during a full tummy tuck the umbilicus or belly button is moved into a new position through a new often small opening. Dr Turner can create his signature designer belly button for you.
While the hip-to-hip scar of a full tummy tuck is longer than a mini tummy tuck, the incision is still discrete and falls within your underwear garment line so once fully healed should be hidden with clothing on. Liposuction is combined with a full abdominoplasty to contour the abdomen and flank regions.
3 – Extended Abdominoplasty – a longer incision to reach reduce the sides & flanks
Many of our patients that seek a tummy tuck often have concerns with excess fatty tissue in surrounding areas, not just the abdomen and flanks. To give an ideal contour to the torso, it is often necessary to add liposuction to the adjacent regions like the lower back and hip/thigh regions to give that sought after hourglass figure and feminine lower back curve.
As Dr Turner can reshape the adjacent areas to the abdomen, we are able to give a more defined and slimmer look to the torso than we would be able to with a standard abdominoplasty only.
Recovery After Abdominoplasty Surgery
At the completion of your surgery, Dr Turner will place drains under the abdominal skin, apply a specialised dressing to aid wound healing as well as a surgical compression garment. Depending on how extensive your abdominoplasty surgery is, most patients stay in hospital for 1-2 nights. The drains may be removed before you go home from the hospital, or at days 5-7 when you have your first follow up appointment with Dr Turner.
While you recover, you will remain a little ‘flexed’ at the waist and knees – this is the body’s way of increasing comfort levels while easing tension on your incision. The abdomen feels “tight” for several weeks after surgery. Numbness may be present around the incision and the belly button itself and in some cases may be permanent. The scar begins to fade after 6 months and may take 2 years to reach its final appearance. Bruising and swelling can persist for several months.
You will be given a prescription for pain management and antibiotics. Have someone fill the prescription, drive you home and take care of you as you recover during the first few days when you go home. You may take your garment off for short periods of time while at home and shower over the dressings.
You can return to your normal activities at a slow and gradual pace. While recovery time will vary from patient to patient, you should plan for the following:
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- At least 2 weeks off work
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- No driving for 2 weeks
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- No moderate – high-intensity cardiovascular exercises for 6 weeks
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- 3 months before abdominal core exercises (sit-ups) can be resumed
You must have someone to help with the care of young children for at least the first 3 weeks postoperatively.
You will have an appointment to see Dr Turner within the first week after surgery to check that your wounds are healing as expected and to remove drains if required. Dr Turner will see you frequently over the first year to monitor your progress and will give you advice on scar management, wearing garments and resuming normal activities.
It is extremely important to your final result that you follow all post-operative instructions given to you by Dr Turner.
Risks Associated With Abdominoplasty Surgery
As with any surgery, it is important that you are fully informed of the potential risks associated with tummy tuck surgery. While all care is taken to minimise these complications, they may and do occur despite the best medical care. It is important that you carefully read and understand the potential risks and they will be discussed in further detail when you have your consultation with Dr Turner.
For more information read the risks of surgery page.
Medical References – Further Reading
Abdominoplasty FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions about Tummy Tuck
Tummy Tuck FAQs – General
The following are some of the different types of a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty:
• Mini tummy tuck – usually without muscle repair – skin only excision
• Full tummy tuck – usually with a Split tummy Muscle repair
• Extended tummy tuck – longer scar than a full tummy tuck – to remove excess skin from the sides
• Other Abdominoplasties – FDL Abdominoplasty, 360 Abdo or Belt Lipectomy,
Yes it is regarded as major surgery. The procedure removes excess skin from the abdomen and uses general anaesthesia in a hospital.
If your weight loss resulted in excess skin around your lower stomach, a tummy tuck can be a good option for you. The procedure can help improve your abdominal contour by removing excess skin.
Benefits of a Tummy Tuck FAQs
A tummy tuck can only remove stretch marks located on the excised skin. Typically this is the stretch marked skin below the below button and above the pubis.
A tummy tuck does not lift your pubic area since it is designed to contour the belly region. In some cases, the procedure can improve the general appearance of your mons or pubic region (FUPA) with additional liposuction.
Yes, the full tummy tuck procedure can help fix partial or complete separation of the abdominal muscles medically known as Diastasis Recti.
No, the procedure cannot reverse diabetes.
Yes, the procedure helps tighten the soft tissues supporting the pelvic floor, bladder, and urethra. This in turn prevents bladder leakage.
Yes, it can have beneficial effects on prolapsed organs. However, surgery is the best option for this medical condition.
Suitability – Qualifying for Tummy Tuck FAQs
Your surgeon will determine if you have enough skin for the procedure. Inadequate skin can lead to inappropriately high scar in the treatment area.
Before undergoing a tummy tuck, you should be at or near your ideal weight. The reason behind this is that significant weight fluctuations after the procedure can affect the results of a tummy tuck.
It is recommended to be at least 10-15 pounds from your goal weight to be considered an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck. This ensures optimal results as gaining or losing a significant amount of weight can affect the results of the procedure.
It is best if you wait 6-12 months after childbirth before undergoing a tummy tuck procedure. This allows your body to heal, your weight to stabilize, and your hormone levels to return to normal.
You should be at least 5 to 10 kg from your ideal weight before having a tummy tuck.
Tummy tuck after C section is perfectly safe. However, you should wait for 6-12 months after your C section before undergoing a tummy tuck.
Preparing for Tummy Tuck FAQs
To ensure optimal results and prevent complications:
• Get lab testing or a medical evaluation.
• Stop taking medications that can increase your risk of bleeding or other complications.
• Stop smoking.
• Refrain from drinking alcohol.
• Stay fit as possible.
To prepare for a tummy tuck surgery, you must prepare the following:
• Extra clothes
• ID and wallet
• Other essential things
• Phone (w/ charger)
• Snacks
• Toiletries
Click here for more information.
Types of Tummy Tuck FAQs
You should choose the type of tummy tuck that will help you achieve the results that you want. In addition, it should be based on your body type and skin condition. You can discuss this with your surgeon during your consultation.
A full tummy tuck tightens the skin and muscles over the entire abdominal area (above and below the belly button). It repairs separated muscles in the mid and upper abdomen and liposuction may be used to remove excess fat over the full abdominal region.
A mini tummy tuck flattens and tightens the skin below the belly button. It doesn’t address any loose skin or separated muscles in the mid and upper abdomen.
A reverse tummy tuck is a procedure that removes loose skin on the upper torso only.
Tummy tuck revision is the general term for a secondary abdominoplasty. It can involve a repeat tummy tuck procedure or some minor revisions.
This procedure is a standard abdominoplasty with the addition of recontouring of the hips, flanks, and lateral thigh. If your flanks have excess fat but not significant excess skin, liposuction may be performed.
The FDL tummy tuck is an advanced version of a classical abdominoplasty, better known as a full tummy tuck. This procedure is recommended for patients who have experienced significant weight loss and involves tightening the skin horizontally and vertically to achieve a firmer and flatter stomach.
Tummy Tuck Surgery FAQs
Depending on the type of tummy tuck, the procedure can take 1-5 hours to complete.
It usually takes 1-5 hours.
Most patients lose 2-3 pant sizes. Patients with more loose skin will experience greater changes.
You can lose 1 to 6 kg of excess skin and tissues.
You can expect to lose around 1 to 6 kg after the procedure.
C section hurts more than a tummy tuck because it goes deeper into the abdominal cavity.
Recovery After Tummy Tuck FAQs
You may experience mild to moderate pain during your recovery period.
You need 2 weeks to recover from this procedure.
You should sleep on your back for the first 3 weeks after your operation.
The incisions take 3-4 weeks to heal.
You might find standing up straight uncomfortable for the first couple of weeks.
Mild to moderate pain can be experienced within 2 months of recovery.
It will take 2-4 weeks before you can sit up straight again.
You can sleep on your side after 3 weeks. This allows the operated area to heal.
You need to wear a compression garment for 4-6 weeks.
It may take years before your scars fully heal and fade.
You need to wear a compression garment 4-6 weeks after the procedure.
Most patients will begin to feel normal after 6-8 weeks.
The numbness may last for weeks to months.
Depending on the type of job, you need to take 2-6 weeks off from work.
You can engage in sit-ups after 12 weeks.
You will need to wear your garments for as long as possible – around 4 to 6 weeks.
You can fly within 2-4 weeks after the surgery.
It should be snug fit but not too tight.
To get out of bed after the procedure:
• Hug your pillows.
• Roll onto your side.
• Dangle your feet over the edge of your bed.
• Use your elbows to raise your upper body.
• Use your legs to pull yourself into a sitting position.
A Seroma or fluid build can occur a few weeks after abdominoplasty. To prevent fluid buildup, your surgeon may place a drain that remains in place for a week or longer. Your seroma may need a small procedure to be drained
To do this, your surgeon will insert a needle into the seroma (collection of fluid beneath the skin) and remove the fluid with a syringe. Seromas may return and your surgeon may need to drain them multiple times. In some cases, your surgeon may suggest removing the seroma entirely.
To reduce scar tissue:
• Follow post-operative instructions.
• Avoid irritating products and clothing.
• Don’t suntan your scars.
• Keep your skin well moisturized.
• Start topical treatments.
• See your Dermal Clinician for scar minimisation treatments after the wound has healed
To reduce swelling:
• Apply ice packs on the operated area.
• Exercise as advised by your surgeon.
• Take pain medications and anti-inflammatories as prescribed.
• Wear compression garments religiously.
You can return to work in about 2-6 weeks.
You can stop wearing it after 6-8 weeks.
You can resume sexual intercourse after 6-8 weeks.
You can start driving again by the time that sitting up straight is not uncomfortable anymore.
Pain associated with the procedure should go away after 3-4 weeks.
The recovery after tummy tuck can take 1 to 3 months.
Longer Term Results of a Tummy Tuck
Yes, the procedure won’t affect your ability to get pregnant.
Yes, you can have a baby – perhaps wait 6-12 months.
No, undergoing an abdominoplasty won’t affect your ability to become pregnant or your future pregnancies.
Yes. It won’t affect your ability to bear a child.
No, the eliminated fat cells won’t be able to return but you can still put on some weight in remaining fat cells.
It is possible to have 2 abdominoplasty. However, the second one will be more complicated.
Significant weight gain can negatively affect the results of your procedure.
A second abdominoplasty is possible. However, it can be more complicated and will have heavier scarring than the first one.
Tummy Tuck FAQs about Concerns and Risks
Like any surgery, every procedure has risks. These include bleeding, infection, and complications from anesthesia. But in general, this is procedure is regarded as being safe especially in the hands of a qualified plastic surgeon.
Death of skin & tissue (or necrosis) is usually the result of insufficient blood supply after surgery. This condition is common in smokers. Please don’t smoke!
The term dog ears refer to the protruding skin or tissues at the extreme ends of a closed incision. In plastic surgery, this condition is seen in procedures that involve skin tightening and require elliptical incisions like a tummy tuck.
This minor deformity can resolve on its own. Sometimes a scar revision may help.
Funding your Abdominoplasty Surgery with Dr Turner
All Surgery is customised for you and Dr Turner’s team will give you a package price for your surgery that will depend on the exact type of procedure you require, the hospital you choose and the length of your surgery & stay. It will include aftercare, follow-up and extra post-op services that you need.
After your initial consultation, you will be given a detailed quote. This will include the Surgeon’s fee, Anaesthetist fee, Surgical Assistant fee and hospital fees.
For an estimate of your own Abdominoplasty price in Sydney please phone 1300 437758 – contact Dr Turner’s team or download the Price Guide on the Pricing page.
Dr Turner’s team can also provide information on Abdominoplasty Payment Plans and medical finance, different methods of payment and whether funding by Medicare, Private Health Insurance or by Super withdrawal will be a possibility.
Your Tummy Tuck Consultation with Dr Scott Turner
Your cosmetic abdominoplasty surgery consultation begins with a personal one on one consultation with Dr Turner at one of his Sydney & Newcastle clinics. Firstly you are fully informed of the normal surgery process, plus any possible complications. We talk through your medical history and discuss your goals for the surgery. Dr Scott Turner conducts a thorough examination to assess skin tone, fat deposits and underlying abdominal muscle tone to determine your suitability.
An abdominoplasty covers a spectrum of surgeries ranging from a mini tummy tuck procedure to a full-body lift in patients that have lost a significant amount of weight, with liposuction an integral component of the procedure. Factors such as your abdominal contour (excess skin, fat deposits, muscle separation) and your individual preference will determine which technique/s are used to smooth and flatten your abdomen. During your consultation routine pre-op photographs are taken.
An abdominoplasty is designed to create a well sculptured and beautiful torso that compliments your body shape – Dr Scott Turner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon
If you wish to discuss this procedure further, please contact one of our friendly staff on 1300 437 758 or feel free to send an email