“Weight loss, pregnancy and the process of age leaves many patients with unwanted, excess loose skin.”
If you have been steadily losing weight and need some help to remove those last few areas of loose skin and fatty tissue around the midsection and back, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) performed by our surgeon Dr Anh may be your solution to a tighter, flatter tummy.
What is an abdominoplasty?
An abdominoplasty, or ‘tummy tuck’, is a surgical procedure designed to remove excess fat and skin from the abdominal wall, tighten the abdominal wall muscles and to re-contour the torso.
It is not an alternative to diet and exercise but it can help you achieve a flatter and tighter tummy. Generally it is a preferred option for patients who cannot shift stubborn areas of flabby excess skin with diet and exercise alone and cannot flatten a tummy bulge due to separated abdominal wall muscles, that can occur after pregnancy.
types of abdominoplasty procedures
Every patient is different, and some people need more skin and fat removed from their abdomen than others. Dr Anh may perform either a full or mini tummy tuck, depending on your area of concern and aesthetic goals.
Full Tummy Tuck
A full tummy tuck is designed for patients with large amounts of loose skin and excess fat and who also have concerns with separated abdominal muscles. This procedure requires a long incision from hip to hip, which allows for maximum improvement of abdominal strength and shape. In addition to removing excess skin and fat, a full abdominoplasty also tightens weakened abdominal muscles, often occurring after pregnancy. A full tummy tuck provides the most dramatic results for complete abdominal restoration.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck is a less invasive procedure suitable for patients with a small amount of skin looseness, primarily in the lower abdomen (below the belly button). This procedure is particularly beneficial for those with concerns of a ‘muffin top’ or bulging skin above a caesarean section scar. A mini abdominoplasty requires a much smaller incision, placed just above the pubic area, and does not require an incision around the belly button. Since this procedure usually does not tighten separated muscles, the recovery time is usually much quicker.
What you can expect from your tummy tuck consultation
TDr Anh understands that your initial consultation at her Perth practice can be daunting. It is only natural to feel nervous about revealing your concerns about your body, especially with someone you have never met before. Dr Anh understands that you may feel this way and will try to make the consultation as comfortable for you as possible.
Dr Anh and her cosmetic consultants will spend about 45 minutes with you to better understand why you seek an abdominoplasty, the results you hope to achieve, and your expectations of the procedure. Dr Anh will obtain a medical and surgical history and then examine you. After that, she will discuss with you what options are available to you, the pros and cons of each, the recommended treatment, the risks, complications, aftercare and expected post-operative recovery.
Dr Anh will also show you before and after photos of previous abdominoplasty patients, answer any of your questions and provide you with written material about abdominoplasty for you to take home. At the end of your consultation, you will be given a comprehensive quote, and our practice manager will explain all the costs involved with tummy tuck surgery.
What happens during the procedure
During your tummy tuck procedure, Dr Anh will follow the below steps:
Step 1 – Administering anaesthesia
For your comfort and safety, Dr Anh always performs abdominoplasty under general anaesthesia. We work with highly qualified and experienced anaesthetists who will administer your medication during the procedure.
Step 2 – Making an incision
During your tummy tuck consultation, Dr Anh will discuss your incision options and whether you will benefit best from a full or mini abdominoplasty. For a full tummy tuck, Dr Anh will make a horizontal incision across the pubic hairline, from hip to hip. You may also require a second incision around the belly button.
Step 3 – Reshaping the abdomen contour
Once Dr Anh has made your incisions, she will first repair any weakened abdominal muscles. Next, she will pull the abdominal skin downwards to trim excess skin and remove fat deposits. Dr Anh will also reposition the navel to a more natural point on the abdomen in some instances.
Step 4 – Closing the incisions
Once Dr Anh has created a smoother, tighter abdominal appearance, she will close your incisions with sutures. Following the procedure, you will be moved into a recovery area to begin the healing process.
What can I expect during my recovery?
Following your tummy tuck procedure, Dr Anh will apply dressings to your incisions and, if needed, may insert drains to collect any excess blood or fluid. You will also be required to wear a compression garment for several weeks to reduce swelling and support your new abdomen contour as it heals. Abdominoplasty surgery usually requires a one to two-night stay in the hospital.
You can expect to experience some pain, swelling and bruising during your tummy tuck recovery. This can last for a few weeks; however, our team will monitor your healing process during this time. Dr Anh will also prescribe medications that can alleviate most discomfort.
Ultimately, recovery times for abdominoplasty surgery vary from patient to patient. However, we recommend that you take at least one to two weeks off work, and you should avoid any vigorous activity for a minimum of four weeks after surgery. To ensure the best results, it is essential that you follow all of Dr Anh’s pre-operative instructions carefully.
How much does a Tummy Tuck cost in Perth?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to tummy tuck surgery, as the procedure can vary widely from patient to patient. As such, we simply cannot provide a cost without first seeing you for a personalised consultation.
Similar to most surgical procedures, you can expect your abdominoplasty to be broken down into several cost components:
Initial consultation fees
When you first visit Dr Anh for a tummy tuck consultation at her Perth practice, you will need to pay a fee.
Surgeon’s fees
Surgeon’s fees can vary dramatically, depending on their qualifications, surgical expertise, professional recognition, experience and even popularity. The fee charged by Dr Anh to perform your tummy tuck will depend on the extent and difficulty of your procedure.
Hospital fees
Both surgeons and anaesthetists are considered “independent contractors” who use the facilities of private hospitals, meaning that Dr Anh has no control over your hospital fees. Again, hospital fees can vary from facility to facility, although most charge by the hour. As an abdominoplasty usually requires an overnight stay in the hospital, this usually adds a lot to your total cost.
Anaesthetist’s fees
During your abdominoplasty, your anaesthetist quite literally watches over your life and vital functions. The fee charged by your anaesthetist will depend again on their qualifications and experience.
Post-operative care
In addition to the actual procedure costs, you may also need to pay out of pocket for compression garments and post-operative visits.
As a cosmetic procedure, abdominoplasty is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance. However, sometimes tummy tuck is considered medically necessary, in which case you may be eligible for a rebate. This will require a referral from a GP. Dr Anh and her team will give you a detailed breakdown of tummy tuck costs during your consultation.
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FAQS
Most of the time, Medicare and private health insurance do not cover plastic surgery procedures since they are usually performed purely for cosmetic reasons. However, a tummy tuck is often considered medically necessary, in which case you may be eligible for a rebate from Medicare or your private health insurance.
Your abdominoplasty procedure may be considered medically necessary if you fit the following criteria:
- You have lost at least 5 BMI points of 15kgs of weight
- You have maintained a stable weight for at least six months
- You have large amounts of excess skin, which is causing physical discomfort and interfering with daily living
- Non-surgical treatments have failed to treat skin irritation caused by excess skin
- You have a hernia that can be documented in an ultrasound
Keep in mind that to qualify for a rebate, you will need to get a referral from your GP before booking a consultation with Dr Anh.
We understand and appreciate how having an all-female surgical team can be important for some patients. However, this requires additional coordination between the hospitals, anaesthetists and our clinic and can sometimes add additional wait time until your surgery. With this in mind, having an all-female surgical team is something that we are definitely able to arrange. Simply mention this to Dr Anh during your scheduled consultation, and our friendly surgical team will make the necessary arrangements.
An abdominoplasty is a highly personal procedure and one that you should not consider without serious contemplation. However, you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck if:
- You are dissatisfied by the appearance of your abdomen
- You have a sagging, loose, protruding abdomen
- Your abdominal muscles have weakened or separated
- You have excess fat deposits in the abdomen that are resistant to exercise and diet efforts
- You have reached or are close to your goal weight
- You do not smoke
- You are in good general health
- You have realistic expectations of what surgery can achieve
To learn more about whether you are a suitable candidate for an abdominoplasty, please book a consultation with Dr Anh.
If you are considering abdominoplasty surgery, we strongly suggest that you wait until you have finished having children before having the procedure. This is because future pregnancies can interfere with your results and create a need for revisional surgery.
In addition, patients who are opting for abdominoplasty after significant weight loss should wait until they have reached and maintained their goal weight for at least six months.
Before your abdominoplasty procedure, Dr Anh will give you a comprehensive list of pre-operative instructions. To optimise healing, you should strive to be as fit as possible before surgery. Dr Anh may also ask you to adjust some medications, and you must stop smoking at least six weeks beforehand.
It is also a great idea to set up a recovery area in your home and pre-prepare some healthy meals. You should also arrange for a friend or relative to drive you home from the hospital and stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
The length of time spent in the operating theatre will depend on the complexity of your individual procedure. However, the average tummy tuck procedure can take anywhere between one and five hours to complete.
While scarring is an inevitable part of any invasive surgery, Dr Anh always aims to make abdominoplasty incisions within the bikini line so that they can be hidden. However, you can expect your incision lines to fade entirely over time by following proper scar management techniques.
- Continue your research by checking out our Resources tab, downloading our FREE Body Procedures Guide and reading our Frequently Asked Questions.
- Book your abdominoplasty consultation with Dr Anh by calling 1300 8-DRANH.
- Ask a friend or relative to come with you to your consultation and begin drafting a list of questions to ask your surgeon.
All form of invasive surgery comes with a level of discomfort. While you won’t feel anything during the procedure itself, the amount of pain experienced during recovery will vary depending on each individual’s pain tolerance. Luckily, you can manage most discomforts with medications prescribed by Dr Anh. If you experience any sudden or severe pain after surgery, please get in touch with the clinic immediately.
Many patients are confused by the difference between liposuction and a tummy tuck. While both procedures can improve the appearance of the abdomen, they ultimately have different surgical goals. Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure designed to re-contour the body by removing stubborn pockets of fat. Conversely, an abdominoplasty is a comprehensive body contouring procedure designed to both remove excess skin and fat deposits and repair weakened abdominal muscles. If you aren’t sure which procedure is best for you, please book a consultation with Dr Anh.
If you are concerned by both excess skin and stubborn deposits of fat in the abdominal region, you may choose to combine your abdominoplasty with liposuction. You can discuss this option with Dr Anh during a consultation.
This will depend on the type of work you do. Most patients can return to desk work within one to two weeks after surgery. However, if your occupation requires vigorous activity and lifting, you may require anywhere between two and six weeks off. Dr Anh will give you an idea of when you can return to work during your consultation.r dapibus leo.
Following your abdominoplasty, you must avoid all strenuous activity for between four and six weeks. Exercising too soon after such an invasive procedure can worsen swelling, bruising, and bleeding and may delay healing. However, we do recommend that you resume some light walking within a few days after the procedure to prevent blood clots and lung complications.
The results of your tummy tuck are technically permanent. However, future weight fluctuations can interfere with your new abdominal contour and lead to new sagging. Additionally, pregnancy after surgery can damage the abdominal muscles and cause the skin to sag again.
This is why we suggest that all patients reach a stable, healthy weight before surgery and maintain healthy diet and exercise routines afterwards. You should also wait until you have finished having children before considering a tummy tuck.
Every invasive surgical procedure has risks. In particular, some of the potential complications associated with tummy tuck surgery include:
- Anaesthesia complications
- Poor scarring
- Fluid accumulation
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
- Constrained movement
- Skin discolouration
- Changes in skin sensation
- Numbness
Dr Anh will discuss all potential risks during your consultation so that you can make an educated decision to proceed with surgery.