Body Sculpting Perth
Reshaping
and refining:
Abdominoplasty Perth
Abdominoplasty
If doing sit-ups, stretches, and following diets aren’t helping you get a flatter stomach, you may need to consider abdominoplasty and other body contouring procedures to get the result you’re after. This surgery involves removing excess fat and skin from the tummy and tightening up your stomach muscles.
What is abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty is a functional procedure that aims to remove excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen. It is often combined with tightening of the abdominal muscles to give you a stronger ‘core’ and better posture. It’s common for your stomach muscles to weaken, especially after having a baby or losing a lot of weight. Abdominoplasty can help tighten these stretched muscles.
“Abdominoplasty isn’t a shortcut for diet or exercise. It is best done when your weight is stable. Gaining weight after the surgery can change the results. So, make sure you’re living actively and eating healthily before considering this type of surgery. Also, it’s better to have this surgery after you’re finished having children. If you’re planning on more kids it’s definitely best to wait.”
Dr Jeremy Rawlins, Plastic Surgeon Perth
Abdominoplasty is popular with both women and men. Many women choose it after gaining weight from pregnancy, when diet and exercise can’t fully fix the lower belly. Men undergo this surgery usually after major weight loss, (following bariatric surgery) to remove extra skin and fat.
Abdominoplasties aim to improve your core strength with the tightening and correction of separated abdominal (rectus) muscles. This can be combined with hernia repairs also, and with the additional muscle reconstruction helps to reduce the recurrence of hernias after they have been repaired. Another area of improvement following abdominoplasty is urinary incontinence – when some women leak a bit when they cough, exercise, or laugh, especially after giving birth.
If you’ve lost weight, your weight is steady, and you have issues with excess skin and fat in the abdomen, then abdominoplasty may be an option for you.
Book an appointment with one of our plastic surgeons at Forme Specialist Plastic Surgery in Perth. Our goal is to make you feel at ease and fully understood.
How to best prepare for abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty is done under general anaesthesia (GA) and usually involves 1 or 2 nights in hospital afterwards. You won’t be able to drive after the surgery, so make sure you arrange for someone to take you home.
What are the different types of abdominoplasty?
There are four different types.
A full abdominoplasty is the most common type and takes about two hours under general anaesthesia. During this procedure a cut is made above the pubic area, stretching from hip to hip. We then remove the skin and fat of the entire lower abdomen and tighten the muscles with stitches. The remaining skin is pulled down and a new hole is made for your tummy button. This can be combined with liposuction for extra shaping.
The mini abdominoplasty is a smaller version, perfect for those with less skin to remove in the lower belly, involving a smaller cut and less tissue removal.
Then there’s the ‘fleur-de-lys’ abdominoplasty, which includes a vertical cut in the middle. It’s great for patients with existing midline scars and who need to remove excess skin from the sides and waist.
Lastly, there’s the ‘total body lift’ or belt lipectomy. This is like a full abdominoplasty but more extensive, removing skin from the sides, upper hips, and lower back as well. It is an excellent procedure for people who have lost a lot of weight.
How long is recovery after abdominoplasty?
How long it takes to recover really depends on the type of surgery you have. Generally, the more involved the surgery, the longer the recovery time.
“Your recovery following abdominoplasty will depend on your level of fitness going into the operation and the type of surgery you undergo. Most patients will have drains for a few days after surgery. ”
Dr Jeremy Rawlins, Plastic Surgeon – Body Sculpting Perth
Sutures (stitches) used in abdominoplasty dissolve over the course of three months. About a week after surgery we will review you in the clinic to ensure everything is healing nicely. We’ll see you again a week later. You’ll need to make sure you are wearing your compression garment after your surgery for at least 6 weeks – sometimes upto 12 weeks. This helps with the healing process, reduces the incidences of haematoma and seroma (fluid build-up) and supports the skin (and scar) as you heal.
For the first few days post-surgery it’s best to rest. That said, you should sit out in a chair for a period of time and also do short walks around the ward or house to promote good circulation in the legs and reduce swelling and blood clots post-op.
Your recovery plan will be discussed during your consultation. It varies based on your job (and home activities) and the specific type of abdominoplasty you have had.
Liposuction Perth
Liposuction
Liposuction is another body contouring technique that helps to get rid of stubborn fat.
“In liposuction we remove unwanted fat from certain parts of your body (abdomen, flanks, thighs, hips, cheeks, chin, and neck). We use a thin tube called a lipoaspirator or cannula, to suck out the tough fat, either under suction or power-assisted.”
People usually get liposuction because:
- They’re at a healthy weight but still have annoying fatty areas that won’t go away with diet and exercise.
- In combination with tummy tucks and other body contouring surgeries to reduce the amount of fat in the remaining skin flaps (and therefore to give a better overall result following the surgery).
Unlike abdominoplasty, liposuction isn’t going to do much for extra or saggy skin. A full assessment in the clinic will determine whether you will benefit from a skin-reducing procedure (eg abdominoplasty) or whether liposuction will be appropriate. Very often patients have both.
What type of liposuction procedures do you recommend?
Liposuction comes in two main forms:
- Suction-assisted liposuction: This method uses vacuum suction to get rid of fat.
- Power-assisted liposuction: In addition to the suction we use a rapidly vibrating handpiece to help break down and remove the fat.
We’ll choose between these techniques depending on the amount of fat to be removed and whether we are doing other procedures at the same time. As always, the decision will be made dependent on your specific needs and goals.
Liposuction, which you might hear called liposculpture, lipoplasty or a few other names, can often be done along with other surgeries like breast augmentation, a breast lift, or abdominoplasty. Check out the ‘Body contouring‘ section for a detailed look.
How to prepare for liposuction?
Liposuction is done under general anaesthesia, so once you’re asleep, we’ll start the surgery by making small cuts. Liposuction is usually done as a day surgery, meaning you can go home the same day. If liposuction is done alongside another surgical procedure you may have an overnight stay in the hospital.
The best way to get ready for surgery is to keep yourself fit and healthy. Try to cut down on alcohol and if you smoke or vape you should stop this before proceeding.
How long is recovery after liposuction?
Liposuction can cause pain and bruising afterwards, and it is advisable to take regular analgesia after this procedure. You’ll need to wear your compression garment after liposuction (so remember to bring it to the hospital with you).
Compression garments are an essential part of liposuction recovery, and we’ll give you instructions as to which ones you’ll need when we see you in the clinic. You’ll bring the garment(s) with you to the operating theate and you’ll wake-up wearing the garments post-surgery. We want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible right from the start. Garments are really important for your recovery, helping to prevent saggy skin and keeping your new shape looking good.
You’ll get to see the final results of your liposuction procedure about three months post-op.
The best way to get ready for surgery is to keep yourself fit and healthy. Try to cut down on alcohol and if you smoke or vape you should stop this before proceeding.
Body Contouring Perth
Other body contouring procedures
Whilst abdominoplasty and liposuction are the commonest body contouring procedures, some patients may also require surgery to other parts of their body following massive weight loss.
Brachioplasty addresses excess skin (and fat) in the arms, and allows us to improve the contour of the arms by removing saggy skin and fat.
Thigh reductions can help with excess skin and fat in the medial thighs – again, removing the skin and fat in this area (and a combination of liposuction to the rest of the thighs).
Other procedures include mons lift, bra-roll lift, reverse abdominoplasty (for the upper abdomen), and revision procedures for patients who have had prior body contouring procedures and are in need of further skin and fat reduction.
Body Sculpting Perth
Why Forme Specialist Plastic Surgery in Perth?
From the moment you first contact us, through to your first consultation, booking your surgery, the procedure itself, and the expertise of your aftercare, we’re committed to giving you world class customer service and clinical care.
“We understand that coming to see us can be nerve-wracking at first. That’s why our kindness and understanding are what really set us apart from other clinics.”
Dr Jeremy Rawlins, Plastic Surgeon – Body Sculpting Perth
Thinking about beginning this journey with us? Request an appointment and see the difference yourself.
