Tummy Tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is done to make the abdomen look slimmer. It tightens weak muscles and removes extra fat and skin from the abdomen. The purpose of a tummy tuck is to enhance the abdominal region’s form and tone, resulting in a flatter stomach. If you are unhappy with your tummy, abdominoplasty is a great option.
What is a Tummy Tuck?
Taking away loose skin lower down on the tummy can improve your appearance and means that you can wear clothes that you may have not been able to wear in the past
Dr Doyle
Tummy Tuck Surgery
By targeting loose abdominal skin, this surgery removes excess lower abdominal skin or ‘apron’ and tightens the abdomen to remove the appearance of a ‘baggy belly’. Abdominoplasty has the power to restore weakened or separated muscles and alleviate any hygiene issues caused by the folding of excess skin. It can also improve posture, improve bladder function and rework the shape and tone of the abdomen to create a firmer and smoother profile.
The procedure takes between 2 and 3 hours under general anaesthetic and usually involves an overnight stay in John Flynn Private Hospital.
Dr Mark Doyle is one of the best plastic surgeons in Queensland that offers tummy tuck surgery to all patients from Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Northern suburbs of NSW.
He will conduct a comprehensive examination to determine which technique would be most effective for you. During this visit, he will review your medical history and discuss any concerns you may have about the surgery. Once he understands your expectations, he will recommend the best option for your body type.
Quick Facts
Male Tummy Tuck
A male tummy tuck designed to overcome a specific aesthetic challenge faced by men who wish to achieve a more contoured body. This procedure offers patients a way to achieve the abdominal tone they want. Like women, men also experience flabby skin and protruding abdomen. The male tummy tuck offers abdominal contouring that allows the removal of loose skin and stubborn fat. This can lead to an improvement in core strength and correct skin laxity and abdominal profile. The tummy tuck surgery is done differently for males to address typical masculine concerns and shape.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Generally, You are a good candidate if you are:
- Physically healthy and at a stable weight
- Non-smoker
- Not happy with the appearance of your abdomen
- Expecting realistic results
For patients with fatty tissue on their stomach and no significant loose skin, liposuction may be all that is required. If loose skin is a problem, the best procedure is abdominoplasty or mini tummy tuck. Dr Doyle routinely uses liposuction with the above procedures in order to contour the abdomen.
While a tummy tuck can help you regain the shape of your tummy, women should consider this surgery only if they are no longer nursing or breastfeeding. It can stretch the skin and separate the abdominal muscles, which make them less effective at restoring a flat and firm abdomen. To achieve the best results, women should wait until after pregnancy and breastfeeding has ended. The procedure is also subject to Medicare rebates.
Different Types of Tummy Tuck
Full
A full tummy tuck is one of the most common surgical procedures. It targets the entire front abdominal area and involves removing excess skin and tightening abdominal muscles. The procedure results in a firmer, younger looking body. The surgery begins with an incision at the navel and finishes with a second incision above the navel. The surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and repairs separated abdominal muscles. The results of this can be quite dramatic, and patients often lose weight following the procedure because they become more mobile.
Extended
An extended tummy tuck is a variation of the full abdominoplasty which extends to the hips, flanks, and sometimes the lateral thigh. In this procedure, the lateral incision is extended to reach further around the body, rather than just the central “tummy” area. This recontours the hips and flanks as well as the stomach, resulting in a smooth and tightened appearance of the entire mid-section.
If the flanks (love handles) have excess stubborn fat rather than loose skin, liposuction may be used in combination to achieve the best possible result.
Mini
A mini tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the lower abdomen. This procedure requires a smaller incisions, placed just above the pubic bone. The skin leading up to the belly button can then be separated from the muscles and pulled tight, with the excess being removed. This is helpful for those who suffer a ‘muffin top’ on their stomach or bulging skin above a cesarean section scar.
Tummy Tuck Scars
When looking at tummy tuck photo galleries, note what the patients’ scars look like, particularly their size and location. Tummy tuck scars are typically visible across the top of the pelvic area but extend from hip bone to hip bone. More often than not, they can conceal with clothing.
During tummy tuck recovery, collagen fibres will begin to form at the wound site. As collagen fibres form, your body’s blood supply will increase. As a result, your tummy tuck scars will become thicker and darker. It will take three to six months for scars from tummy tuck to mature.
Scars Locations
Lower Abdomen
Most Tummy Tuck procedures leave a scar running horizontally across the lower abdomen. They go from one hip bone to the other hip bone.
Around Belly Button
A traditional tummy tuck requires an incision be made around the belly button so that the navel is correctly positioned when the excess skin is reduced. Standard tummy tucks involve one long excision on the bikini line, and one around belly button. The scar maybe visible at first but for most patients it will blend into the abdomen and becomes less noticeable over time.
Vertical Scars
Vertical scars may also be needed if you wish to target excess reduntant skin above the belly button. This procedure is also called a vertical abdominoplasty. It is most commonly used for massive weight loss patients who have large amounts of tissue on their entire abdomen.
Incisions
Incisions for a mini tummy tuck are shorter, and as such, the scars are also less visible than those of a full tummy tuck. The incision is low on the abdomen, above the pubic mound. This allows the surgeon to access the underlying connective tissue and fat. Then, Dr Doyle will tighten the tissues, remove any excess skin and close the incision.
Tummy Tuck Before and After
There are many tummy tuck before and after photos on the Internet. But what’s the most important information to know? The best way to determine if tummy tuck surgery is right for you. You can check out the results of a tummy tuck before and after surgery before deciding on any surgery. You can also read patient reviews and schedule a consultation to learn more.
95% of Patients Surveyed Found Tummy Tuck Surgery “Worth It“
Download our Free Tummy Tuck Procedure Guide
Recovery After Tummy Tuck Surgery
You’ll likely need 3-4 weeks off work following abdominoplasty surgery to ensure a quality recovery. Dr Doyle will provide you with post-operative care instructions which you should follow EXACTLY to ensure you are not straining your wounds.
You should also follow Dr Doyle’s best practice cosmetic surgery recovery tips, which include an adequate wound healing diet and the use of supplements. It’s important to do your research before undergoing surgery so that you know what’s normal and what’s not with your recovery. You should know when to get into contact with Dr Doyle should a problem arise.
Tummy Tuck Cost Australia
The final cost of a tummy tuck will be different for everyone. Not all patients have the same requirements. Some require liposuction, while others don’t. Some need to have their abdominal walls repaired, while others don’t. Along with the specifics of your procedure, surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital fees are also factored in. If specific criteria are met, some patients may qualify for a Medicare rebate for this procedure. Dr Doyle can provide you with a more accurate estimate following your consultation.
You can access our list of pricing resources to find more about the cost of abdominoplasty:
FAQs
How Long Does It Take To Fully Recover From a Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck recovery time depends on the type of surgery. A Full Abdominoplasty requires 6 weeks of recovery. A Mini Abdominoplasty requires 4 weeks of recovery.
Will Medicare Cover My Abdominoplasty?
This procedure can attract Medicare rebates if you meet the strict criteria, so it is best to discuss this with Dr Doyle during your consultation.
Do you Stay Overnight After a Tummy Tuck?
You need an overnight stay for a full abdominoplasty and it’s not always necessary for a Mini Abdominoplasty. Liposuction does not require a hospital stay. On some occasions, Dr can perform it in our office theatre.
Book a Consultation
Dr Doyle will offer Tummy Tuck surgery to all his Brisbane Patients and will do the consultation at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery on the Gold Coast. You can book a consultation and discuss your expectations with him.
During Consultation, Dr will evaluate your medical history, surgical requirements and goals. You will get all information about preparation for surgery, the procedure and recovery time.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plast) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over thirty years of experience performing Breast, Body, Face and Nose surgery. Dr Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 30+ years of experience. He has completed all required training and only carries out safe surgical practices. There are absolutely NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons in our clinic.
As a highly esteemed plastic surgeon, Dr Mark is driven by an intense passion for helping patients achieve a happier, more beautiful self through advanced cosmetic surgery procedures. He maintains a strong commitment to achieving the best possible results for all his breast, body, face and nose patients, both men and women.
