Abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty is a popular form of cosmetic surgery in which a surgeon removes excess abdominal skin and fatty tissue to create a smoother, firmer, and more toned body contour.
Quick facts
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What is it for?
Remove loose skin and tighten the tummy
Treatment overview
If muscle weakness is contributing to your abdominal sagging, an exercise programme can build your core strength, tighten your muscles, and smooth your silhouette.
If you have excess fat, The London Clinic has launched an innovative new weight management service.
The specialist programme can help you lose weight and keep it off.
The London Clinic's expert cosmetic surgeons also offer liposuction to reduce localised fat collections on your abdomen, above the mons pubis, and in your love handles.
The surgeons will provide a thorough assessment and professional advice on the best treatment to address your concerns.
Abdominoplasty consultation at The London Clinic
Our experienced surgeons will assess and advise you in The London Clinic's comfortable and private consulting rooms.
Considering your figure, your abdomen, and the look you want to achieve, your consultant will recommend the best treatment to help you meet your goals.
Your surgeon will also take a detailed medical history and perform a thorough examination to ensure and that you are medically well and fit for surgery.
In consultation with you, your surgeon will then plan your admission for an abdominoplasty and advise you about any preparation needed.
Why choose The London Clinic
Excellence in one place
We operate as teams of experts with world-class resources dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of medical care. You are surrounded by the latest treatments and advice with everything you need to get back to your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. Our nurses, clinicians and support teams are dedicated to the care of a very small number of patients, so have more time for you. They’ll be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care around you and giving the peace-of-mind that comes with knowing you’re in the best hands.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through each step of your experience, with complexities unravelled and answers readily to hand. Your personal treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us.
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you’re paying for yourself, we have finance options available with Chrysalis
FAQs
Abdominoplasty is surgery to remove loose skin and tighten the tummy. A tummy tuck can remove sagging, wrinkly and overhanging skin to leave the abdomen smooth, flat, and firm.
Increasing age, pregnancy, and weight changes can leave the abdomen loose, lumpy, and unsightly. Excess skin or a fatty overhang over the lower tummy and pelvis can be uncomfortable and difficult to disguise, even in clothing.
Many people find that weight loss compounds rather than improves the problem. If your appearance is affecting your self-esteem, you may benefit from abdominoplasty surgery.
The effects of abdominoplasty can be much more than physical. Your confidence and body-image can also be improved following surgery.
Standard abdominoplasty
A standard or full abdominoplasty is the most common tummy tuck operation. The surgeon makes a long incision from hip to hip, then reshapes the entire abdomen from the pubic area to the ribcage.
They remove excess skin and fatty tissue and can also tighten, repair, and reinforce the underlying abdominal muscles.
Your surgeon will place the scar in the bikini line so that it is hidden in underwear. They may also need to reposition or reconstruct the navel, in which case you will also have a scar around the rim of the belly button.
Mini abdominoplasty
Mini abdominoplasty is suitable for people with smaller amounts of excess skin. Your surgeon removes loose skin and fat from the abdomen, below the belly button.
It is an effective treatment for localised fat, fullness, and skin overhanging the pubic area.
The surgeon makes a shorter incision, like the scar following a Caesarean section. The recovery following a mini tummy tuck is usually quicker than that following the standard procedure.
Endoscopic abdominoplasty
Endoscopic abdominoplasty is a minimally-invasive procedure to tighten and repair the muscles of your abdominal wall.
The surgeon will make small incisions and insert a tiny digital camera attached to a narrow, flexible tube that relays quality images to a screen.
They will insert specially-designed surgical tools to tighten your abdominal muscles and correct any separation.
Finally, your consultant will close the incision with stitches and apply dressings. The theatre staff will take you into The London Clinic's recovery area and monitor and support you as you wake up from the anaesthetic.
The specialist surgeons at The London Clinic perform abdominoplasty surgery under general anaesthetic. You will need to stay in the hospital for 1-3 days so that the clinic’s team can support and monitor your recovery.
Your surgeon can use a range of surgical techniques. Your surgeon will discuss the options and their risks and benefits before your admission.
You'll need to stay in hospital for one to three nights following surgery so that the staff can monitor your recovery.
The London Clinic’s team will provide pain relief, support, and arrange follow-up to assess your progress.
You will need someone to escort you home as you will be unable to drive. You will have a pressure garment to support and protect your tummy, reduce swelling, and help healing. You should wear this day and night until your consultant advises.
It’s important to take time to rest and recuperate after your operation. Some bruising, swelling, and pain are normal postoperatively.
These will gradually settle, but it takes up to six weeks to fully recover. As your soreness subsides, you will be able to get back to work and normal activities.
Most people feel able to get back to work after around two weeks, and by four to six weeks, you can gradually reintroduce exercise.
The rehabilitation team will recommend exercise to maintain a healthy weight and to improve the tone of your tummy muscles.
The London Clinic’s staff are always available if you have any problems, questions, or worries.