The Abdominoplasty Procedure
Whether the result of ageing, rapid weight loss, yo-yo dieting or pregnancy, many men and women are less than satisfied with the appearance of their abdomen. Sagging skin and lax muscle tone that won’t respond to diet and exercise can all be addressed with a tummy tuck. Mr Juling Ong can tailor the procedure depending on your unique requirements; surgery can address a small degree of sagging skin, a pouch under the belly button or tighten and recontour the entire abdomen.
Mr Juling Ong will often combine a tummy tuck with liposuction to achieve optimal results. Women that have experienced changes to the body as a result of pregnancy or breastfeeding may benefit from a breast uplift combined with a tummy tuck.
Surgery Time
2 – 3 hours
Anaesthetic
General
Hospital Stay
Day case
Time Off Work
2 –3 weeks
Full Recovery
8 weeks
During your tummy tuck consultation with Mr Juling Ong, he will review your medical history as well as examine you physically. As well as assessing the amount of sagging skin, it’s also important to determine if the abdominal muscles have been stretched as they will need to be tightened to achieve a taut and flat abdomen.
He will then discuss the various options, whether full, mini or extended, and discuss what it is possible to achieve and any possible risks and complications before you make the decision to proceed. Scarring is an important consideration in a tummy tuck procedure as it typically extends from hip bone to hip bone, although Mr Ong will position it low on the abdomen and it is usually well hidden in underwear or swimwear.
The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and can take between two and three hours. The incision is made across the abdomen, and then the skin is lifted to allow Mr Ong to tighten and repair the abdominal muscles. Excess skin is then trimmed away so the abdomen appears flat and smooth. If the belly button needs to be moved to a new position, a new opening is created.
During a full tummy tuck, the whole length of the abdomen up to the ribs is addressed. Often it is only the area below the belly button that needs to be addressed in a procedure often known as a mini tummy tuck. Often very slim and toned women have a pouch below the naval that is resistant to diet and exercise. Women who have undergone a Caesarean section often find this difficult to address. Typically, the belly button does not need to be moved and Mr Ong will remove excess skin and tighten the recti muscles in the lower abdomen.
In an extended tummy tuck, the incision usually extends beyond the hip bones to include some of the love handle area on the flanks. This allows for more tissue to be removed and further contouring of the waist. This is often required for patients that have experienced massive weight loss and have been left with significant extra skin.
Sometimes excess skin needs to be removed, leaving a midline scar as well in addition to the scar from an extended tummy tuck. This is called a ‘fleur de lis’ abdominoplasty and may be recommended in patients who have undergone massive weight loss.
Patients typically take two weeks off work to recover. Although it’s important to rest in the first 48 hours after surgery, Mr Ong will advise you to gradually increase your activity levels as it helps to promote recovery. More strenuous activity and exercise should be avoided for eight weeks after surgery to the abdomen. Mr Juling Ong will provide comprehensive advice on your recovery process and you will have a series of follow-up appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
If you are fit and well but have loose, sagging skin and stretched or lax abdominal muscles, then a tummy tuck can be an effective option, as these issues will rarely improve through diet and exercise alone.
It is important to understand that a tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure, although small pockets of stubborn fat can be removed with liposuction at the same time to achieve optimal results. It is essential that you are at or near your ideal body weight, which you can maintain after surgery, as the skin may stretch further if you gain weight.
Is there a right time to undergo a tummy tuck?
Women often find that pregnancy stretches the muscles and skin on the abdomen, and it doesn’t return to normal after they’ve given birth. Mr Juling Ong usually recommends you wait until a year after you’ve given birth before you undergo surgery. It is possible to get pregnant after a tummy tuck and if you are careful in terms of weight gain, the stomach should return to how it looked after abdominoplasty surgery.
If you’ve experienced extreme weight fluctuations that have left you with sagging skin and an untoned abdomen, it’s important to reach and maintain your ideal weight so Mr Ong can achieve the optimal outcome. Further weight loss or gains after surgery will affect your results.
What types of tummy tuck does Mr Juling Ong offer?
Mr Juling Ong tailors the procedure to each patient’s anatomy and goals, offering three main approaches:
- A full tummy tuck addresses the whole abdominal region up to the ribs and is suitable for more significant skin and muscle laxity.
- A mini tummy tuck addresses only the area beneath the belly button and is often used for patients who are otherwise slim but have a stubborn lower pouch, including after a Caesarean section.
- An extended tummy tuck takes the incision beyond the hip bones to include the flanks, allowing more tissue to be removed and further waist contouring; this is often required after significant weight loss.
- In cases of very significant weight loss, a ‘fleur-de-lis’ abdominoplasty may be recommended.
What is the difference between a tummy tuck and liposuction?
Liposuction removes localised pockets of fat but does not address excess skin or weakened abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck removes excess skin, tightens the underlying muscles and can reposition the belly button, but it does not remove significant volumes of fat on its own. Many patients benefit from combining the two, with liposuction used to refine the waist and flanks while the tummy tuck addresses skin laxity and muscle separation. Mr Juling Ong will advise which approach, or combination, is right for you at your consultation.
Will a tummy tuck correct separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)?
Yes. Pregnancy and significant weight fluctuations can cause the two large abdominal muscles (the recti) to separate, a condition that diet and exercise cannot fully correct. During a tummy tuck, Mr Juling Ong repairs this separation by stitching the muscles back together, restoring a flatter, firmer abdominal wall and potentially improving core strength and posture. This muscle repair is a key part of what distinguishes a tummy tuck from liposuction or non-surgical treatments.
What are the risks of a tummy tuck?
As with any surgery, a tummy tuck carries risks, including bleeding, infection, fluid collection (seroma), poor wound healing and changes in skin sensation, which are usually temporary. Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) are a specific risk with abdominal surgery, and Mr Juling Ong takes preventative measures such as compression stockings and encouraging early mobilisation.
Smokers face a significantly higher risk of wound healing problems and are advised to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Mr Ong will discuss your individual risk profile in full at your consultation.
Where will my scar be, and how noticeable will it be?
The scar typically extends from hip bone to hip bone, though its exact length depends on which type of tummy tuck is performed. Mr Ong takes care to position it as low on the abdomen as possible so that it is easily hidden beneath underwear or swimwear.
The scar will be firm and pink initially, softening and fading considerably over twelve to eighteen months, and silicone-based scar treatments can help improve its appearance during this time.
Can a tummy tuck be combined with other procedures?
Yes, this is common practice. Mr Juling Ong often combines a tummy tuck with liposuction to further refine the waist and flanks. Women who have experienced changes to their breasts following pregnancy or breastfeeding may also choose to combine a tummy tuck with a breast uplift or augmentation, allowing a comprehensive result within a single recovery period.
How long does it take to recover from a tummy tuck?
Each patient is unique and the amount of time it takes to recover from an abdominoplasty also depends on the type of procedure that was performed, whether that’s a full or mini tummy tuck and whether it was combined with other procedures.
Generally, though, patients are off work for at least two weeks and Mr Juling Ong will advise you wear a compression garment for at least six weeks. Although you will be advised to start moving around as soon as possible after surgery as it helps with recovery, you should avoid strenuous exercise for eight weeks after. Driving after an abdominoplasty is not recommended for a few weeks after surgery.
Pain and discomfort are moderate and is usually well managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
Will I continue to lose weight after a tummy tuck?
Research, including a study of 188 patients followed for five years after abdominoplasty, has found that many patients continue to lose weight gradually in the months and years following surgery, with average weight loss increasing over time.
While the surgery itself only removes a modest amount of tissue, patients often become more physically active as movement becomes easier and more comfortable, and some studies suggest increased satiety, or feeling fuller for longer, following abdominal muscle tightening.
A tummy tuck should never be viewed as a weight loss procedure, but many patients do find it supports a healthier lifestyle afterwards.
Can a tummy tuck be repeated or revised?
While the results of a tummy tuck are long-lasting provided your weight remains stable, ageing and future pregnancies can affect the abdomen over time. Revision surgery is occasionally required, for example if muscle laxity recurs after a subsequent pregnancy.
During your abdominoplasty consultation, Mr Juling Ong will explain all potential risks and discuss your treatment options in full. Please call us on 020 7927 6528 or email us at info@julingong.com to arrange an appointment.
