Consultation
During your consultation, your surgeon will carefully assess the abdomen, examining skin laxity, muscle tone, the presence of rectus muscle separation (diastasis recti) and the distribution of excess fat. Your medical history, lifestyle factors and aesthetic goals will be reviewed to determine which type of tummy tuck best suits your needs.
Your surgeon will explain how the procedure works, where incisions are likely to be placed, how the navel may be repositioned and what results you can expect. The recovery process, scar locations and postoperative care will also be discussed. Clinical photographs may be taken to assist with planning and guide the surgical approach.
This appointment is your opportunity to ask questions and feel fully informed and confident before moving forward.
Anaesthesia and Procedure Time
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia. The length of the procedure depends on the type of tummy tuck being performed, whether muscle repair is required and whether liposuction is added to enhance contour.
A mini tummy tuck generally takes around one to two hours, while a full or extended abdominoplasty may take two to four hours. More complex procedures, such as a fleur-de-lis or 360° tummy tuck, may take longer due to the additional skin removal and reshaping involved. Your surgeon will confirm the expected duration based on your personalised treatment plan.
Surgery
During an abdominoplasty, a low, curved incision is made along the bikini line to keep scarring discreet. In a mini tummy tuck, the navel is left untouched, but in most full procedures, a second incision is placed around the belly button so it can be repositioned once excess skin is removed. This results in a small scar around the navel in addition to the lower abdominal scar.
If muscle separation (diastasis recti) is present, the rectus (“six-pack”) muscles are stitched back together to restore support and improve abdominal firmness. While the procedure flattens the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat, long-term muscle tone still depends on postoperative exercise.
Once the muscle repair is complete, the surgeon removes loose skin and fat and may use liposuction to refine the waistline or upper abdomen. The remaining skin is gently redraped, and the incisions are closed, creating a smoother, flatter abdominal contour.
Closure
Once the abdominal reshaping is complete, the incisions are closed using fine, absorbable sutures to support a smooth, precise finish. If the navel has been repositioned, a new opening is created to ensure it sits naturally within the tightened skin.
Dressings and a supportive compression garment are applied to minimise swelling and help the abdomen settle into its new contour. In some cases, temporary drains may be placed to prevent fluid build-up during the early stages of healing.