Dr Nathan Stewart is a plastic surgeon consulting in Bunbury who specialises in abdominoplasty surgery. An abdominoplasty is an aesthetic procedure that removes excess skin over your abdomen while tightening your abdominal muscles.
An Abdominoplasty (also commonly referred to as Tummy Tuck) is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and reconstructs the abdominal muscles. Results from a 2020 survey conducted by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons revealed that abdominoplasty is one of the world’s top five most common cosmetic procedures.
An Abdominoplasty can be confused with other procedures, such as liposuction and panniculectomy. Liposuction is the removal of fat only and can be performed on other body parts. Panniculectomy removes the skin but doesn’t tighten the underlying muscles. This is not considered a cosmetic procedure.
Abdominoplasty surgery can be performed on women or men with loose or sagging bellies, and is common for those who have experienced:
Not everyone can qualify for an abdominoplasty procedure. There are some limitations on who can get the procedure. This includes:
Abdominoplasty is a highly intensive surgical procedure; in some cases, it may take up to a year to recover fully. The success of the surgery depends on many factors, which is why it is critical to follow all steps required.
Depending on the extent of the surgery, two different types of abdominoplasty may be performed.
Partial Abdominoplasty (also called mini-abdominoplasty) is performed on people with minimal to no excess skin on their abdomen.
The surgeon separates your skin between the incision line and your belly button by making smaller incisions. Without shifting the position of your navel, the corrections are done. This is typically a short surgery, and will usually take less that two hours.
A complete abdominoplasty involves creating an incision at your bikini line. This is extended depending on the amount of excess skin on your abdomen.
The next incision is made at your belly button to free it from the surrounding tissue. After this, the surgeon begins the alteration process. Incisions are then sutured, and there may be drainage tubes placed under your skin for a few days.
As with any other procedure, an abdominoplasty can lead to side effects. With experienced professionals, the chance of these complications occuring is limited. However you should be aware of the followings risks:
Until you reach full recovery,
You may be required to wear a compression garment post-surgery. If you being to feel unwell, feverish, or notice bleeding, call for help and discuss with your healthcare provider.
An Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure which removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area and tightens the muscles to create a flatter and smoother look.
An ideal candidate for a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is someone of good health who has excess fat and skin in their abdominal area, and has separated abdominal muscles due to aging, pregnancy, or weight gain.
The procedure involves making an incision above the public area in order to remove excess skin and fat and tightening the abdominal muscles. The incision is then closed with sutures, and drains are left in place for between 3 to 10 days. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and can take between 2 to 3 hours to complete.
A Tummy tuck or Abdominoplasty surgery can cause discomfort post surgery, but this can be managed with pain medication.
The recovery period for an Abdominoplasty can take several weeks. Most patients can return to work after two to three weeks, although full recovery can take up to several months. Exercise should be restricted until Dr Stewart deems it safe to resume.
Patients can expect to stay in hospital for two nights.
Yes, there will be a scar after your tummy tuck procedure. In most cases the scar is located below the bikini line, and is easily concealed with clothing.
Yes, you may combine your tummy tuck with a range of other procedures, including thigh lift, liposuction, or a breast augmentation.
As with any other surgical procedure, there are some risks that can arise from a tummy tuck, such as bleeding, infection, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. Prior to your surgery, all potential risks will be discussed with you by Dr Nathan.
Tummy tucks are typically not covered by insurance, as they are considered a cosmetic procedure. However, there may be certain cases where insurance may cover the procedure, such as massive weight loss or a medical condition like rectus divarication. Dr Stewart can discuss whether you qualify for a medicare item number during your consultation.
Dr Nathan Stewart currently consults in Bunbury and Perth. Be sure to view our gallery to see the results of past customers. If you would like to know more about the procedure or have any questions, contact Dr Stewart today.
After your surgery, it is important you take as much time as you need to rest and recover. You will be provided with a number of information sheets and checklists to prepare you for your recovery, including any symptoms to watch out for and tips to keep you as healthy and comfortable as possible during this time.
Following the procedure, you will likely experience some moderate discomfort. Dr Stewart will discuss your pain medication needs with you and tailor a dosage and schedule to suit your individual circumstances. Symptoms should subside within a few weeks. You may need to wear compression garments for several weeks following your surgery.
Should you have any questions at any time, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr Stewart or the team.!
08 6373 0116