The Procedure + Surgical Techniques

The surgical techniques and locations of incisions will depend on your surgeon’s preferences and recommendations. An incision will be made just above the pubic region, generally stretching from hip to hip. If possible, your surgeon will keep this incision below the ‘bikini line’, so that the residual scar can be easily concealed. The skin and underlying fat are lifted free from the abdominal muscles, which may then be surgically tightened if you have experienced muscle separation. Excess abdominal skin and fat is excised, and the remaining skin is drawn downwards and the incision site is closed with sutures creating a flatter, firmer abdomen. Your surgeon will usually make another small incision to ensure your navel is repositioned.

For further information on the procedure, we highly recommend you watch the animated video on our website, which outlines abdominoplasty surgery in more detail.

Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and can slightly vary your final outcome. These options will be discussed in your consultation, where your surgeon will recommend a technique best suited to your individual preferences

Hospital Stay and Anaesthesia

For reasons of patient safety, this procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic with an anaesthetist present. Surgery can take place as a day procedure but in some instances an over night stay is required. Your plastic surgeon will discuss your choices in your initial consultation and determine which option is best for you.

Your Consultation

In order to keep your consultation as smooth and efficient as possible, we ask that you please bring all relevant documentation with you on the day. This includes your referral letter, Medicare card, private health insurance details, any third party or return to work insurance information, and any relevant scans i.e. x-ray or ultrasounds.  

During your initial consultation with one of the Specialist Plastic Surgeons, you will have an extended opportunity to discuss expectations and desired outcomes, along with any questions you may have about the procedure.

You will then meet with one of our experienced nurses, where you will have clinical images taken in our blue room as a before and after reference for both yourself and your surgeon (please note that all our images are confidential and are stored securely pursuant to the current Privacy Act). During this time, you will also be fitted with a compression garment to wear post operatively.

The final stage involves meeting with your surgeon’s personal assistant. You will be given an in-depth quote, outlining the surgeon, hospital and anaesthetist fees, along with some take home information about your procedure.

There is a lot of information to take in after your first consultation. We encourage patients to go home and discuss their procedure with loved ones and come back for a second visit. We find our patients almost always come back with additional questions they hadn’t previously thought of, and this second visit allows you to go into your surgery feeling confident and fully informed.

We recommend that you allow an hour for this consultation. Please keep this in mind when organising parking so that you don’t feel the need to rush.

Before your procedure

There are a number of things you can do before your procedure, to encourage a smooth recovery and ensure you are as comfortable as possible post-surgery.

It is important that you:

• Exercise, having good physical health will significantly help your recovery process
• Reach and maintain your optimal weight (if previously discussed and agreed upon with your surgeon).
• Provide a complete medical history for your specialist plastic surgeon, including all current medications, as some may need to be stopped prior to surgery.
• Quit smoking

• Because you’re having general anaesthesia, it is important that you pre-arrange someone to transport you to and from your surgery, as well as stay with you 48 hours after returning home.
• Ensure you follow pre-operative instructions, such as fasting times, or your procedure may have to be cancelled.
• We recommend having plenty of loose comfortable clothing that is easy to get in and out of i.e. zip through jackets.

Prepare your recovery area! You’ll want to have everything you need to recover easily accessible and within arm’s reach. We suggest comfortable pillows, icepacks, prescribed medications, emergency contact details, a phone, as well as things to keep you entertained.

Recovery

Recovery time is highly individual, however, we find many patients are able to return to work within two to four weeks after surgery. Vigorous activity and exercise should be avoided for the first six weeks, however, gentle walking is encouraged after two weeks. Your time frame will vary depending on your individual surgery details, the nature of your employment and your overall level of health. Your surgeon will discuss this with you prior to surgery, and it is important to allow yourself the recommended recovery time.

On discharge, you will be given specific postoperative instructions to assist your recovery, and a follow-up appointment will be made with your plastic surgeon. These instructions will cover everything you need to know in order to make your recovery as smooth and comfortable as possible.  

Post surgery it is normal to experience pain and discomfort, and your surgeon may prescribe some pain relief. A plastic tube may be inserted to drain off the excess fluid. This will remain in place until the drainage is minimal and is removed by the nurse, usually a day or two after your surgery. It is important that you do not have a shower until your drains have been removed.

If previously indicated by your surgeon, you may be recommended to wear a pressure garment post procedure for up to six weeks. This will assist in reducing swelling and bruising, and providing you with some support. It is normal for bruising to last up to three weeks, and can swelling may last for up to eight.

We are dedicated to supporting you to make a swift, uncomplicated recovery. A 24/7 on-call medical assistance service is available for all post-operative patients.

View post-operation information here

Not quite ready or have a question to ask?

---