Tummy Tucks

A tummy tuck makes the abdomen thinner and firmer and is ideal for someone who has lost weight whether it is down to dieting or having children. This procedure is popular not just for females but also males who have also lost weight and need their abdomen to look flatter and tidier. Price: £2099. Tummy tuck including liposuction from: £3349.

Popular questions clients have about tummy tucks

What is a tummy tuck and what does the procedure involve?

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. To achieve the best results we would advise you to be at your ideal weight that you are comfortable with in order to reach that nice flat tummy as an end result.

Preparation and recovery

Patients must understand that to ensure a successful procedure, extensive preoperative planning is essential. Meanwhile, recovery will involve very specific instructions from your surgeon that should be followed closely.

A tummy tuck almost always involves the removal of excess skin, fat, and other tissue, along with the tightening of the underlying abdominal muscles. It requires both internal and external healing. Therefore, it is especially important for your surgeon to make certain that any risk of excessive bleeding and other complications during surgery is minimised.

During a pre-op consultation, you should be prepared to discuss your medication and supplement regimen in detail. You should also be prepared to talk about your own medical history. Your pre-ops will include bloods taken, urine, ECG, assessments with the anaesthetist and Internist.

Depending on the extent of your surgery, you can expect to spend anywhere from three days to a week or more limiting yourself to minimal physical activity. You certainly will not be bed ridden during this time, but you will be expected to avoid activity that is more strenuous than walking very short distances.

You will also have to take very exceptional care to avoid placing any strain on your incisions. Gaining an understanding of the entire abdominoplasty process from pre-operative planning to full recovery can play an important role in the success of the surgery.

You have the support from myself at Ivy Health Surgery to see you through the initial consultation to go onto making all the arrangements for you at the SurGal Clinic in Brno. This knowledge can help you feel confident in your decision to undergo body contouring, and help you play an active role in achieving the best possible results and the longest-term satisfaction with your refined midsection.

Ideal body weight

Patients frequently pursue abdominoplasty surgery because they have experienced significant weight loss, leaving them with stretched skin and separated abdominal muscles. These conditions can be quite uncomfortable, resulting in rashes and irritation. Meanwhile, they can obscure the results of the patient’s weight loss achievement.

Once patients have undergone a tummy tuck, it becomes very important to avoid dramatic weight fluctuation in the future. That is why I always spend time during the initial consultation to help the patient determine their ideal weight, and evaluate whether he or she is currently within a reasonable proximity of that weight.

Pre-op assessment

During the pre-op assessment, you can expect the medical staff to conduct blood tests, urine, ECG, Internist, anaesthetist assessment. All these are carried out to make sure you are fit for surgery.

After the level of support and professional confidence I received from talking with Laura I instantly knew I had found the safest and best service for me.

Karlie

Tummy tucks and pregnancy

Many abdominoplasty patients are mothers who wish to refine their midsection following childbirth. Carrying a child can cause the abdominal muscles to separate, and stretch the abdominal skin. In addition to considering ideal body weight, female patients must contemplate the likelihood of wanting more children in the future.

Often, the best time for a mother to have abdominoplasty is when she is certain she does not wish to have more children. A mini tummy tuck focuses on the area below the navel. It typically involves an incision placed between the hip bones, some tightening of the abdominal wall, and the removal of excess fat and tissue.

It usually only requires about a week of minimized physical activity before patients can resume more normal activity but it is advisable to weight 3 months before returning to the gym or physical exercise. A standard tummy tuck is like a mini tummy tuck, but can include treatment above the navel.

An extensive treatment usually involves liposuction and other treatment extending to the flanks, or love handles. Both tummy tuck procedures can require weeks of minimized activity following surgery. Both standard and extended abdominoplasty often require placing drainage tubes that help prevent the build-up of blood and fluid at the incision site.

Usually these are removed 1-2 days after surgery. SurGal Clinic will provide you with a special support garment that can further prevent the build-up of fluid. Meanwhile, patients should understand that they will not be expected to be immobilized during recovery – nor should they be.

By getting up and walking around the house to carry out simple day to day tasks, patients can further reduce the risk of developing harmful blood clots. In other words, while a patient who had surgery days ago should not lift a heavy bag of groceries, they are encouraged to stand up and walk around.

During recovery for any extent of abdominoplasty, it is very important for patients not to do anything that could place strain on their incisions. Incisions are usually healed after two weeks.

Full recovery takes 3 months. Each patient’s case is different, but those who have sedentary jobs that mainly require sitting at a desk can return to work about a week after abdominoplasty. Those with more physical jobs will probably require at least two to three weeks before returning to work.

Smoking and the effects

It’s no secret that tobacco use is a potentially deadly habit that can have many adverse effects on your health. However, many patients do not realise that nicotine can severely compromise the body’s ability to heal.

Considering the extent of treatment abdominoplasty can require – incisions, liposuction, excess skin removal, and tightening of the abdominal muscles – a patient who smokes must make a commitment to detoxifying themselves at least three months prior to surgery, and continue to abstain from cigarettes as they heal.

This also involves taking measures to avoid second-hand smoke. Ideally, they will cease smoking altogether once healing is complete. Smoking specifically hinders two very important functions: the ability of cells to divide and grow, and the ability of white blood cells to eliminate bacteria that can lead to infections.

Nicotine causes blood vessels to become narrower, making it difficult for red blood cells to deliver oxygen to the skin cells at the incision site. When the delivery of oxygen is inhibited, it can delay healing considerably. Meanwhile, if the function of white blood cells is compromised, a patient has a much greater likelihood of developing an infection, which can result in serious health complications and take a toll on the aesthetic results. If you are a smoker who is considering undergoing abdominoplasty, it is not too early to begin exploring strategies to eliminate nicotine from your life for good.

The clinic is highly professional and thorough. I felt at ease and we’ll looked after. I’m so happy with the results of my procedure and would recommend Ivy Health to anyone looking into cosmetic or weight loss surgery.

Cara

Medication and pain management

Obviously, you can expect some pain and tenderness following surgery, but your surgeon will provide you with a recommendation for pain management.

When you are discharged from the clinic to recover in a hotel of your choice for a further recommended stay of 2- 3 days’ painkillers and a course of antibiotics to take orally to maintain your comfort. Alcohol and pain medication absolutely do not mix.

Mobility

People are usually up about two days after their surgery once drains have been removed. Pain levels then eased and can be maintained by the patient with medication prescribed to them from the surgeon along with a course of antibiotics.

Stitches are normally dissolvable except if you have your belly button repositioned these will need to be removed by your own GP or Nurse back in the UK 10 – 14 days later. You will maintain wearing your support garment that has been issued to you from the clinic 6-8 weeks’ post-surgery, this is a very important process that helps with the healing and recovery.

What kind of support can I expect from Ivy Health and the clinic before, during and after a tummy tuck?

We are here to answer any questions you may have pre- and post-surgery. We stay in contact with you the whole time and will call you several times whilst you are at the clinic to make sure you are happy with everything.

How much does the procedure cost?

Usually: £2099. Tummy tuck including liposuction from: £3349. Our surgeries cost much less than what you will pay in the UK. Prices may vary depending on each individual’s personal needs and according to their travel and accommodation arrangements. Please contact us for more information and we will be able to give you a quote for the procedure.

My Personal Promise to You

• I am here to support you every step of the way and help you change your life.
• I care deeply about what you want and will build your surgery and trip around your personal needs.
• There’s never any obligation to go ahead with a surgery.
• Your care is of the highest priority to me and I can help you make your journey to a better, happier, healthier you.

One Step at a Time

The first consultation we have is free, and this can be on the telephone or in person if you are local to our head office. If you have any questions or concerns – at any time – or simply want to find out more, please get in touch.