Abdominoplasty involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen to address changes related to various factors.

Every patient has different needs and goals for their body. Dr Richardson tailors each procedure to the patient’s body, health, and preferences.

What to Expect During Your Abdominoplasty Consultation

If you are considering abdominoplasty, it would be helpful to schedule a meeting with Dr Richardson. During this meeting, you will be able to discuss the reasons why you are considering surgery and what you hope to achieve from the procedure. We will ask you about your medical history, lifestyle, and whether you are a smoker or not in order to assess your health condition. You should also inform us about any current health concerns and medications you are taking.

To help you attain your goals, Dr Richardson may suggest combining the surgery with another procedure, such as liposuction.

Patients should note that this procedure is not a replacement for weight loss or a healthy lifestyle. Generally, suitable candidates are those who have maintained a stable and healthy weight with diet and exercise. The surgery is suitable for patients seeking to remove excess skin and fat or address lax muscles in the abdominal area.

The Procedure

Your surgery will take place in a hospital with a general anaesthetic. Dr Richardson may use different techniques depending on your needs, as discussed in your first appointment. He will typically use liposuction at the front and sides of your abdomen to aid in removing fatty deposits. Since every surgery is different, the duration can depend on the specifics of the procedure. Generally, it will take two to four hours, and most patients stay in the hospital for one or two nights. There are multiple techniques for tummy tuck surgery, such as:

Standard tummy tuck:

The surgery will take place in a hospital with a general anaesthetic. Dr Richardson may use different techniques depending on your needs, as discussed in your first appointment. He will typically use liposuction at the front and sides of your abdomen to aid in removing fatty deposits. Since every surgery is different, the duration can depend on the specifics of the procedure. Generally, it will take two to four hours, and most patients stay in the hospital for one or two nights. There are multiple techniques for abdominoplasty, such as:

Standard Abdominoplasty:

Dr Richardson will perform a standard procedure by making a full incision along the panty line, from hip to hip. This will allow him to access the underlying tissue, which he will tighten. After that, he will remove any excess fat and skin tissue. The incision will be closed with sutures to secure the skin in a tighter position. Additionally, he will reposition the belly button.

Extended Abdominoplasty:

It involves a larger incision than the standard procedure. This surgery is designed to remove excess skin and fat not only from the abdominal area but also from the flanks (love handles) and the lower back region. The extended nature of the incision allows Dr Richardson to perform more extensive contouring and tightening of the abdomen and adjacent areas.

Mini Abdominoplasty:

For patients with a small amount of excess skin and fat, this procedure can be an option. It removes the excess skin and fat in the area above the pubic region, which may occur after a C-section, addressing the muscles in the lower abdomen only.

Reverse Abdominoplasty:

This procedure is suitable for patients with moderate excess skin and fat above the belly button. Dr Richardson hides the incision in the fold under the breasts. He repairs lax stomach muscles and lifts and tightens the upper skin. This type of surgery does not reposition the belly button.

Corset Abdominoplasty:

This procedure is suitable for patients with a large amount of excess skin on the upper and lower abdomen. Dr Richardson places incisions low above the pubic region, up centrally, and across beneath the breasts to allow full access and repair of lax muscles (rectus divarication). It also allows the removal of excess skin and fat.

If a patient has excess skin and fat around the whole torso, Dr Richardson may suggest a body lift.

Cost of Abdominoplasty

Because the surgery is personalised to each patient, the fees may differ. The total cost will depend on various factors, which we will discuss during your initial consultation. For instance, patients with a greater amount of excess skin may require a more comprehensive surgery, which could potentially increase the total cost.

When discussing surgery fees, we will take into account several factors, including the surgeon’s fee, hospital fee, and anaesthetist fees. Additionally, there are medication and aftercare costs to consider. Since most abdominoplasty procedures are performed for cosmetic reasons, patients will usually need to pay for their own surgery. However, in some cases, insurance may cover a portion of the total fee. Dr Richardson will help determine whether you are eligible for rebates from Medicare or a private health insurer. We can provide further guidance and clarify any issues during your initial appointment.

Aftercare

After undergoing an abdominoplasty surgery, you will be given painkillers to manage pain and dressings will be applied to your incisions. You may also need to wear a support garment and have drainage tubes placed under the skin to prevent fluid accumulation. Dr Richardson will let you know when it’s safe to remove these. Depending on your condition, you may need to stay in the hospital for one or more nights. You should arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive you home.

Recovery after an abdominoplasty is crucial for a successful outcome. We will provide you with guidance on how to care for your incisions. To facilitate your recovery, you may need help with daily tasks such as cooking, driving, and looking after children. We recommend that you have someone to assist you during the first 48 hours after leaving the hospital. In addition, you also:

• Sleep with your head propped up on extra pillows.
• Reduce your movement and get plenty of rest.
• Stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet.
• Refrain from smoking, as this can obstruct healing.
• Avoid alcoholic drinks.
• Take prescribed pain medication.
• Wear your support garment.
• Refrain from exercise and lifting.

As a guide, most patients can expect the following recovery after their surgery:

• Discomfort: one to two weeks
• Return to activity: one week. You may find it difficult at first to use your stomach muscles, and actions such as sitting up or standing up straight may feel tight.
• Resume exercise: gentle walk after one week, and gym after six to eight weeks
• Return to work: two weeks
• Return to driving: one to two weeks. Patients must be fully alert, no longer taking any sedating medications, and be able to move freely without restriction.
• Return to travel: six weeks
• Remove post-op support garments: six weeks.

Most patients find that they have recovered by six weeks after surgery. Dr Jeremy Richardson and his team will guide you and advise you further according to your needs.

Risks and Complications

Mild side effects are common after abdominoplasty surgery. For example, you may have some swelling and discomfort, as well as pain around your incisions. We can help ease this with pain medication and a tailored aftercare plan. More severe symptoms are rare but can occur. You should be aware of these before pursuing surgery to be fully informed and prepared. These include:

• Bleeding and infection
• Reactions to anaesthesia
• Slow or poor healing
• Stretched scars
• Fluid build-up
• Persistent pain
• Numbness
• Damage to underlying tissues
• Unwanted results
• Further surgery to correct issues

You can reduce your risks by not smoking before and after the procedure and by closely following your aftercare instructions.