Tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty)

What is a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve the shape and contour of your belly (abdomen). It involves removing excess skin and fat, and tightening weakened abdominal muscles.

A tummy tuck can remove loose, excess skin and fat from your abdomen.
A tummy tuck may remove some stretch marks if they are found in the lower part of your abdomen, below the belly button.
It can fix rectus diastasis - which is a condition where the stomach bulges due to separated abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis).
The surgery can tighten weak connective tissue in the abdomen called the fascia.
If you’ve had a C-section, the scar from the C-section may be revised and included into the new surgical scar for the abdominoplasty.

Please note: a tummy tuck is not a treatment for obesity or for removing deep abdominal fat located behind the muscles.

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Who is suitable for a tummy tuck?

During pregnancy or significant weight changes, the abdominal skin and muscles can stretch. While some people recover fully, others are left with loose skin, weakened muscles, and stretch marks.

You may be a candidate for a tummy tuck if you:

Have loose skin or weakened muscles after pregnancy.
Have sagging skin or fat deposits from losing a significant amount of weight, or from ageing.
Experience skin irritation or infections from an overhanging "apron" of skin.
Your weight is stable.
You are not considering future pregnancies.

A tummy tuck may not be suitable for you if:

You are thinking about becoming pregnant.
You have serious medical conditions that put you at high risk of having a general anaesthetic.
You have had multiple abdominal surgery in the past that has caused a lot of scarring.
You are a smoker, and you are unable to stop smoking for the surgery.
You are heavily overweight, your weight is not stable, or you are planning to lose a large amount of weight.

If you’re unsure about any of the above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Dr Law will assess your individual needs and help guide you through your options, offering personalised advice and alternatives if needed.

What types of tummy tucks are available?

The right procedure depends on your specific needs. Options include:

Liposuction only: Ideal for patients with good skin elasticity and no stretch marks, who mainly want to remove fat. Small incisions are used, and skin tightening is enhanced with a compression garment. Please see section on Liposuction.
Mini abdominoplasty: Suitable for patients (often post-pregnancy) with loose skin and muscle weakness below the belly button. A small area of skin and fat is removed, and the muscles are tightened. The scar is similar to a Caesarean scar.
Full (traditional) abdominoplasty: For those with more excess skin, fat, and widespread muscle weakness. This procedure removes a larger amount of tissue and tightens muscles above and below the belly button. It leaves a scar from hip to hip and around the belly button but achieves significant contour improvement.
Extended abdominoplasty or lower body lift: For patients with massive weight loss. These procedures remove more tissue and extend the scar around the hips or even the full lower body to improve the shape of the abdomen, buttocks, and outer thighs.

Dr Law will discuss the best option for you based on your goals and anatomy. You’ll have a cooling-off period before confirming surgery and a second consultation to go over the procedure in more detail.

Procedure information

Before your surgery, you’ll have a detailed consultation with Dr Law to discuss your goals, the procedure, and any risks. Clinical photos will be taken, and a second consultation will be arranged to answer further questions. It’s important to stop smoking at least six weeks before surgery to reduce risks. You may need blood tests and other health checks, and will receive personalised instructions to prepare you for surgery.
An abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia in an accredited hospital. You will usually need to stay in hospital for a few nights.
In general, a traditional abdominoplasty involves the following:
- An incision is made across the lower tummy, from hip to hip.
- The abdominal muscles are tightened.
- Excess skin and fat are removed.
- The tummy is reshaped and closed in a way to give you a better abdominal contour. The incision is usually closed with stitches.
- The belly button is repositioned to sit naturally on the newly contoured abdomen.
- You may have drains.
- This procedure may be combined with liposuction to the upper abdomen and/or flanks.
In general, a mini abdominoplasty involves a shorter incision and focuses on removing excess skin and fat below the belly button. This may or may not involve tightening part of the abdominal muscles.
The most appropriate technique will depend on your abdominal anatomy and your desired outcome. Dr Law will guide you through your consultation to ensure the surgery aligns with your goals.
All surgical procedures leave scars, and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is no exception.
The length of the scar depends on the type of tummy tuck you have.
- Traditional abdominoplasty usually results in a low horizontal scar across your tummy that extends from hip to hip. Scars can be carefully placed in the bikini line in order to be easily hidden, and they will fade over time. There is also a scar around the belly button.
- Mini abdominoplasty leaves a shorter scar, as it involves a smaller incision and doesn't usually require repositioning of the belly button.
At first, the scar may appear red or raised. This is a normal part of healing. Over time - usually over several months to a year - the scar will fade and flatten. Everyone’s body heals differently, so the final appearance of the scar can vary.
To support good healing and reduce scarring, Dr Law will provide detailed post-operative scar care instructions. This may include:
- Keeping the area clean and protected.
- Using scar creams or silicone dressings.
- Avoiding sun exposure to the scar.
- Massaging the area once healing has progressed.
In some cases, if you are prone to hypertrophic or keloid scars, additional treatments may be recommended.
While the scar is permanent, patients often find it a worthwhile trade-off for the improvement in their abdominal contour.
Recovery varies, but in general:
Your tummy will be bandaged, and you’ll wear a binder. Most stitches dissolve on their own. Walking gently reduces swelling and helps prevent clots, though you may feel tightness and walk slightly hunched at first. Bruising, swelling, numbness, and discomfort are common early on. Pain medication will be provided. Avoid driving for at least 2 weeks, and strenuous activity for 6 weeks. Most people return to work after 3–4 weeks. Some swelling may last for months, but massage can help.

Risks & complications

All surgery carries risks and may include:
- Drug reactions.
- Allergic reactions.
- Infection.
- Bleeding and haematoma (blood clot).
- Seroma (fluid collection).
Dr Law will discuss the risks with you during your consultation, and they’ll also be outlined in your consent form. These can include:
- Numbness or changes in skin sensation.
- Poor wound healing or scarring.
- Skin loss (skin necrosis) – very rare.
- Fat necrosis (firm lumps under the skin).
- Problems with belly button healing.
- Loose skin returning over time.
Choosing a qualified plastic surgeon with proper anaesthetic support helps minimise these risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a tummy tuck help with weight loss?

No. Abdominoplasty is not a weight-loss surgery. Instead, it focuses on contouring and tightening the abdominal area. Patients are encouraged to be close to their ideal weight before surgery for the best and most lasting results.

How long do the results last?

Results from a tummy tuck are long-lasting if you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. However, pregnancy, weight changes, and natural ageing can affect the shape of the abdomen over time.