Abdominoplasty

The term Abdominoplasty or ‘tummy tuck’ refers not to just one single surgical procedure, but to a whole family of procedures whose common goal is the flattening and recontouring of the abdomen.

These procedures range from simple, minimally invasive endoscopic tightening, to the more common, fully open procedure in which all the ravages of pregnancy and ‘good living’ are addressed. In a full abdominoplasty, the long, strap-like abdominal muscles are repaired and rejoined in the midline, the deep supportive fascia is tightened to provide good support and excess skin and fat are trimmed, to restore a smoother and more youthful contour. The navel (umbilicus), may be left where it is, moved a centimetre or two, or completely re-positioned to provide a natural post-operative appearance.

Just as every patient is different, and their concerns uniquely personal, so too is the proposed surgery to recontour the abdomen, tailored to fit the patient’s individual requirements. Here at Auckland Plastic Surgical Centre, we don’t believe that ‘one size fits all’. For example, for the younger patient who has only a moderate amount of lower abdominal laxity, (often following a pregnancy), a short incision, using an endoscope (a type of surgical telescope which allows the surgeon to see inside the body via small access incisions), may be most appropriate. To provide access to the deeper tissues, this approach may use either a previous scar from a caesarean section, or a short cut just above the pubic bone, or a cut around the navel, resulting in the smallest scar possible.

For the patient with a larger problem, there is a range of techniques in which the area of maximum correction may be central (aiming to tighten up the area around the umbilicus), or lateral, (to narrow the waist). For the patient who has circumferential problems, an incision that goes right around the body may be required, taking out excess skin and fat over the flanks (hips) and upper buttocks as well as the abdomen. In almost every case, liposuction, with or without ultrasonic assistance, is used to help sculpt the final contour to give the desired result.

Determining the best surgical approach for you is the main purpose of the consultation and examination. Whatever type of abdominoplasty is performed, be it a ‘mini’ or a ‘maxi’, patients are usually very pleased with the changes in their body shape and comment on how much more comfortable they feel in a wider variety of clothing.