Abdominoplasty

An abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that is designed to flatten the abdomen and tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. It involves removal of excess fat and skin from the abdomen thereby restoring a flatter and tighter contour to the tummy.

There are many indications for an abdominoplasty which can be reconstructive or cosmetic or both.

An abdominoplasty can:

• Correct abdominal abnormalities caused by pregnancy, obesity, extensive weight loss, trauma, tumours or other disease
• Correct or relieve structural defects of the abdomen
• Improve function of abdominal muscles
• Create a more normal appearance of the abdomen
• Repair an abdominal hernia that has followed previous abdominal surgery
• Remove a large and distressing apron of fat, also called a “pannus”, that can cause chronic dermatitis, skin infection, difficulty in walking and difficulties with hygiene. The surgical removal of a pannus is called an “apronectomy”

The steps required in an abdominoplasty will be tailored to your abdomen and will be discussed indepth with you by your surgeon at your appointment. Any surgical procedure will involve scars. The size and location of these scars will be minimized and carefully planned to help hide in normal contours and be as inconspicuous as possible

The procedure is done in hospital and usually involves a stay in hospital of between one and three days. The procedure is done under a general anaesthetic administered by a specialist anaesthetist. You will be required to wear a special garment for several weeks afterwards to aid with healing and contouring of the abdomen.