Tummy Tuck Surgery

WHAT IS TUMMY TUCK SURGERY (ABDOMINOPLASTY)?

Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure in which unwanted, loose skin and tissue are removed from the stomach area to create a flatter, firmer, and more sculpted appearance.

IS A TUMMY TUCK RIGHT FOR ME?

Many people choose to have an abdominoplasty due to the skin becoming looser or excess skin developing around the stomach area as they age. Re-sculpting the stomach, a tummy tuck can help you regain your original shape and improve your overall body confidence. However, it’s important to remember that, along with liposuction, a tummy tuck is not an alternative to weight loss.

There are several reasons why people develop a weak abdomen and excessive loose skin around the tummy area, including:

• Extreme weight loss
• Post-pregnancy
• Puberty and hormonal changes
• Ageing and loss of elasticity

Whilst entirely natural, an excess of looser skin can contribute to poor body confidence.

During your initial consultation, your surgeon will discuss your expectations with you, along with examining the skin, soft tissue, and muscles of the abdomen – reviewing what procedure/combination of procedure will best suit your needs.

HOW MUCH IS A TUMMY TUCK IN THE UK?

A standard tummy tuck costs £7,995 with Enhance Medical. The cost of a tummy tuck varies depending on the type of procedure you choose to have:

• A mini tummy tuck costs £6,495
• A full tummy tuck with liposuction costs £8,995

As your initial consultation is free, this cost covers:

• Pre-Operative Assessment
• Tummy Tuck Surgery And Surgical Care Team
• Post-Operative Aftercare For 12 Months

At Enhance, we own our hospitals, and only use our dedicated in-house surgeons. Therefore, we can pass our savings, such as overheads and agency fees, to our patients to ensure we can offer the best possible cosmetic surgery pricing and the best & dedicated care in the UK. We also offer monthly finance options.

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WHAT HAPPENS DURING TUMMY TUCK SURGERY?

Tummy tuck procedures (abdominoplasty) are carried out under general anaesthetic and take between 1 and 3 hours to complete, often requiring an overnight stay in hospital.

Full Tummy Tuck

A full or standard tummy tuck is more extensive than a mini tummy tuck. This type of abdominoplasty is suitable for those with more excess skin and fat and weakened abdominal muscles both above and below the belly button.

Firstly, your surgeon will make an incision across your lower abdomen from hip to hip, normally within the bikini line, to gain access to the muscles and tissue in the area. This opening will be used to remove any unwanted fat and to tighten the muscles underneath, along with trimming away excess skin. Your surgeon will then close the incisions, stitching the skin back into place.

Mini Tummy Tuck

During the free consultation, your surgeon may recommend a mini tummy tuck as opposed to a full tummy tuck if you have a smaller amount of sagging skin in the area. Whilst both procedures are designed to give you a more sculpted abdominal area and involve the same surgical techniques, a mini tummy tuck is less invasive and focuses more primarily on the area below the belly button. The recovery time for a mini tummy tuck is, therefore, generally shorter than a full tummy tuck.

Full Tummy Tuck with Liposuction

Many patients opt to have liposuction simultaneously to enhance results and further sculpt the body into the desired shape. Your surgeon will finish by stretching the skin across the stomach to create a tight finish before stitching it and removing any excess. In more extreme cases, surgeons are required to make a second incision around the belly button to reposition it.

During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss the different procedures with you and help you decide what type of tummy tuck is right for you in achieving your desired outcomes.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER A TUMMY TUCK

Like any surgical procedure, it is normal to experience mild pain, discomfort and swelling following tummy tuck surgery. Complications and potential side effects include excessive pain, bleeding, infection, blood clots and numbness. At Enhance Medical, our experienced surgeons take the necessary steps and use surgical techniques to avoid negative side effects and complications. But it’s also essential to allow your body to recover following an abdominoplasty and follow aftercare guidelines provided.

More information on Aftercare

RECOVERING FROM TUMMY TUCK SURGERY

Recovering from a tummy tuck takes around six weeks. It’s recommended that you take up to two weeks off work to allow yourself rest and enable your body to recover. You’ll also need to wear a support garment for six weeks following surgery to help maintain your new shape and reduce pain and swelling. During this six-week recovery period, avoid strenuous activity and exercise to prevent strain on your stitches. Whilst it’s normal to expect some scarring post-surgery, this will fade over time.

Fully inclusive of the tummy tuck cost, our comprehensive aftercare provides 12 months of post-surgery cover and support in aiding your recovery. Consultations and appointments with your operating surgeon or your Patient Care Coordinator are available anytime during your aftercare period.