Dr Andrew Broadhurst in Brisbane will perform your procedure in order to improve your existing body shape. You will then have a flatter, firmer stomach. Book a consultation to find out more about this specialised procedure.
What is Abdominoplasty?
Tummy tuck surgery aims to tighten the skin, remove fat, and strengthen the tummy muscles. This is a surgical operation that should always be performed by a qualified professional. Your surgeon will remove a portion of skin along with the underlying fat to give your body a smoother contour. The surgeon will also stitch and tighten muscles that are slack or separated. As a result, this process helps patients achieve the body sculpting and skin tightening results they desire. The exact placing of incision lines will depend on how much skin and fat are to be removed. You will discuss these things with your surgeon prior to the procedure.
Abdominoplasty with Dr Broadhurst
“I pride myself on the individual care and support I provide each of my patients. From your first consultation, I will work one-on-one with you to tailor a treatment plan to suit your unique body, fit your lifestyle and achieve the enhanced look you’ve been dreaming of.”
What Are the benefits?
Stretch marks and excess skin, as well as weakened stomach muscles, are common results of pregnancy. Many abdominoplasty patients are mothers who have finished having children and want their pre-baby tummy back. They are also patients who have lost a large amount of weight and now have excess skin that is affecting their daily lives. Age can also play a role in loose and sagging skin, since the older we get, the less our skin is able to snap back into place.
An abdominoplasty is not a replacement for a healthy diet and lifestyle. Instead, this body contouring surgery is suited to people who are seeking to correct issues that cannot be fixed with diet and exercise. For this reason, ideal patients are usually men and women who are at their ideal weight. A tummy tuck can have a multitude of benefits for people who wish to remove stubborn fat as well as tighten their abdominal muscles and overlying skin. The procedure:
- Restores separated muscles
- Tightens skin resulting from pregnancy, obesity, and weight loss
- Improves the function of muscles
- Corrects structural issues in the abdomen
- Improves the contour of the abdomen
- Increases confidence in your overall appearance
Dr Broadhurst is happy to consult with you on what is a suitable goal weight prior to this operation and how best to achieve it if you are planning to lose weight. An abdominoplasty is also not a procedure for women who are planning to have children. Only women who are not planning to have more children should consider this procedure.
Consultation
Your Initial Consultation
Every patient has different needs and goals. This means your tummy tuck will be tailored to you and your body. Before surgery, you will need to have an initial appointment to find out if you are a good candidate and the best approach for your body. This will be a virtual meeting either over the phone or via FaceTime. You will speak to Dr Broadhurst about your medical history, concerns, and what you hope to achieve from your abdominoplasty. It is important to raise any health issues, current medications, or allergies. Dr Broadhurst will examine your body to figure out the exact area of skin and excess fat. After this virtual meeting, you will have a thorough understanding of what the procedure entails, as well as what to expect after surgery.
Your Second Consultation
Your second appointment will be a face to face discussion at one of our Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, or Ballina locations. This will be scheduled a few weeks prior to your surgery date in order to ensure you have a good understanding of the tummy tuck procedure. The consultation is at no cost to you. Dr Broadhurst and our friendly nurses are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding abdominoplasty surgery. You can rest assured knowing your queries will be answered with highly-informed answers every time. You can reach out whenever you need. The team are here to help.
Procedure
What to expect during your procedure?
Abdominoplasty procedures take place at an inpatient hospital under a general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will use different techniques depending on what type of tummy tuck you are undergoing. The surgery will take roughly 1.5 to two hours, and you will stay in the hospital for a minimum of two nights.
The surgical procedure begins with an incision made in your lower abdomen. The surgeon removes excess skin and fat in order to flatten the stomach. The process also involves tightening the abdominal wall muscles to improve the abdomen’s function, appearance, and long term outcome. After the procedure, the surgeon will stitch the incisions with internal dissolving sutures. He will also insert two small plastic drainage that will exit through the skin below your abdominal scar. This will drain any excess fluid. Similarly, the surgeon will bring your belly button out through the skin in its new position and stitch it with dissolving sutures.
A careful approach will ensure your incisions result in minimal scarring and your tummy tuck heals as quickly as possible. There are two different types of abdominoplasty techniques, including:
Standard Abdominoplasty
Sometimes referred to as a “full tummy tuck,” a standard abdominoplasty is ideal for patients who hope to flatten the abdomen above and below the belly button. The surgeon makes longer incisions, usually from hip to hip and just above the public region. He removes skin and tightens muscles across the whole abdomen, including around the navel. The process narrows the waist and improves the strength of your muscles.
Partial Abdominoplasty
Also known as a “mini tummy tuck,” a partial abdominoplasty is ideal for slender patients with a small bulge in the lower abdomen. The surgeon removes excess fat and skin, as well as tightens the muscles, in the lower abdomen only. This process is less invasive and complex due to less skin and fat being removed. The incision is not as long, and the belly button does not have to be moved.