Surgery is usually performed under general anaesthetic and takes 2-3 hours. An incision is made in the skin crease above the pubic area and extends out to the hips. In a full tummy tuck the layer of skin and fat is undermined as far as the rib cage. The tummy button is left attached to the abdominal wall. The excess loose skin and fat below the belly button is removed and the upper skin is brought down to allow closure with buried dissolving sutures. The belly button is repositioned. If necessary separated muscles can be brought back together with a running stitch.
Mini- tummy tucks are indicated for small areas of excess and bulge in the lower tummy. The incision is shorter and the undermining and tightening is limited to the area beneath the tummy button.
Fleur de lys pattern abdominoplasty is sometimes performed for patients who have lost a large amount of weight and have vertical and transverse excess. This procedure results in a transverse scar and a vertical scar extending up the midline.
Occasionally drains are required but we prefer to avoid this where possible.