Who is a good candidate for abdominoplasty?

Anyone who has loose skin or muscle separation (divarication) on the abdomen after pregnancy or weight loss.

Is there an ideal age for abdominoplasty - should I wait till after I have had children?

Abdominoplasty can be performed at any age up to about 70. If you are about to have children soon then you should wait until after pregnancy and breast feeding, as these often change your abdomen and change the result of an abdominoplasty - if you are young and this is many years away then this is not an issue. Many patients also have abdominoplasty after having children to correct changes that have occurred with pregnancy and breast feeding.

When is the best time of year to have an abdominoplasty?

While people have abdominoplasty at any time of the year you need to wear a compression garment for at least a few weeks (sometimes 6-8 weeks) – this is more comfortable in the cooler winter months. It is also easier to disguise the garment under clothes during winter. However, people often organise abdominoplasty when they can best take time off work, at other times such as just before Christmas or in January if work is quiet then.

Do people have other procedures done at the time of abdominoplasty?

Many people have other procedures performed at the same time as abdominoplasty, the commonest being liposuction of other areas such as love handles and thighs. Breast surgery is also common, either breast augmentation, breast lift (mastopexy) or breast reduction.

What does the operation do and are there alternatives to a full abdominoplasty?

A full abdominoplasty removes all the loose skin on the lower abdomen (pubis to umbilicus), and tightens the muscle layer underneath, which is often significantly stretched after pregnancy and weight fluctuations. Mini-abdominoplasty rather than full abdominoplasty only removes loose skin from the lower abdomen, often combined with liposuction. This has a much faster recovery (patients often return to work within 10 days rather than 3-4 weeks), but does not improve the contour of the abdomen as much as a full abdominoplasty. However, for patients with only a small amount of loose skin on the lower abdomen this is a good option. If you have loose skin on the upper abdomen then a full abdominoplasty is needed to correct it.

How long does an abdominoplasty last?

Providing your weight is stable and you do not become pregnant again the result of the operation is permanent. Even with weight fluctuations or pregnancy the amount of loose skin that develops is usually relatively minor, requiring only minor revisional surgery, rather than another abdominoplasty.

Is there a Medicare rebate for abdominoplasty?

There are very specific criteria to qualify for a Medicare rebate for abdominoplasty after massive weight loss, which include a greater than 5% BMI (body mass index) weight loss and skin irritation from loose skin. If you qualify for this if you are insured your health fund may cover the hospital bed fee and theatre fee costs (depending on your level of insurance)

Where is abdominoplasty performed?

Abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic in an accredited hospital, with patients staying in hospital 3 nights on average to recover.

How can I get the best possible scars after abdominoplasty?

It is normal for scars to be red, lumpy and obvious for 6-8 weeks after surgery. After this they gradually fade, with most people’s scars being white by one year, although uncommonly this process can take 2 or more years. The simplest way to help this process is to keep tape such as Micropore tape on the scars for the first 3 months or so. An alternative to this is to massage the scars. Uncommonly, scars stay red and thick for months, requiring other treatments such as steroid injections or vascular lasers to help them fade.

Are there any alternatives to abdominoplasty (surgical or non-surgical) without scars?

If you do not have loose skin liposuction (with only a few 5mm scars) can be used to reduce the amount of fat in the abdominal area. However, if you have loose skin to start off with then abdominoplasty gives a far better result. There are good skin-tightening devices such as SkinTyteTM and Ultraformer IIITM, which tightens the skin by heating collagen causing immediate collagen contraction, followed by progressive collagen remodelling and tightening over the 6 months following the treatment. These are simple office treatments with no downtime. However, these treatments do not remove all skin laxity (are not as good as surgery) and need multiple treatments, but are options if you are not ready for surgery.

What will I be able to do in the first week after surgery & when can I return to work?

During the two weeks after returning from hospital you need to rest and take things quietly at home, and you will need help to look after young children during this time. When you go home there will be waterproof dressings covering your abdomen, which normally stay on for a few weeks, allowing you to shower normally. You should wear your compression garment the whole time, which needs to be worn for at least a few weeks (and for some people 6-8 weeks). Most people return to office work 3-4 weeks after abdominoplasty, but if physical work is required it may be 6 weeks.

When will I feel completely normal and be able to play sport?