3 Killiney Road, Winsland House 1, #09-08, Singapore 239519

Abdominoplasty

Mini tummy tuck

woman applying

When to consider abdominoplasty?

You may want to consider abdominoplasty if you have any of the following concerns:

  • loose skin in the lower or upper abdomen;
  • stretch marks;
  • lower abdominal bulge;
  •  rectus diastasis (muscle separation);
  • loose muscle and protruded belly which doesn’t respond to diet and exercise;
  • unattractive stomach contour.

You might be not a suitable candidate for the surgery if you are unable to have a general anaesthetic, you are a smoker, or your BMI is higher than 40.

About the procedure

Abdominoplasty is an aesthetic surgical procedure of the abdomen. It consists of a tummy tuck, muscle divarication repair and lipo abdominoplasty. Ultimately, abdominoplasty is done to tighten the abdominal skin, contour the abdomen area and improve the overall body shape.

Abdominoplasty surgery can be performed in different ways. Depending on your needs, you may choose from complete abdominoplasty, partial abdominoplasty (mini tummy tuck), extended abdominoplasty, reverse abdominoplasty or lipo abdominoplasty.

Abdominoplasty is a major surgery

It is a major surgical procedure that is usually done under general anaesthesia. It requires a longer recovery period compared to other body contouring procedures. Commonly, you will need to stay for a few days at the hospital. However, at Shens Clinic, abdominoplasty is now a day-surgery procedure in which patients can go home on the same day of the surgery. Depending on the type of abdominoplasty you undergo, you may also need help at home for a week.

It is not a weight-loss procedure

Yes, it is absolutely possible to lose a few pounds after abdominoplasty. However, you need to understand that this operation is not intended for people who need to lose a substantial amount of weight. In fact, ideal candidates for abdominoplasty are patients who are close to their goal weight.

Abdominoplasty produces long-lasting results

Abdominoplasty surgery usually produces permanent results. However, if you gain a large amount of weight, then the outcomes will change. It is essential to maintain a stable weight after the surgery.

What are the different abdominoplasty techniques?

There are different abdominoplasty techniques available in Singapore. Depending on your needs and circumstances, you can choose one type of procedure or combine it with another.

Standard tummy tuck surgery

As the name suggests, it is a procedure to remove excess skin and fat over the anterior abdomen. These fats are usually not removable via workouts and diet; hence tummy tuck is a much-needed procedure. If you have a lot of extra skin on your abdomen that does not tighten with workouts, you might be ideal for a standard abdominoplasty.

The incisions for the procedure are usually done at the lower part of the abdomen, from one hip bone to the other. It allows the surgeon to hide the scars under the bikini line.

A full tummy tuck procedure is more suitable for patients who have stronger muscles of the abdominal wall. When the muscle wall is “weak” and requires repairing, a muscle divarication repair procedure or mini abdominoplasty might be a better option.

Muscle Divarication Repair

It is a plastic surgery designed to repair the separated abdominal muscles. Ideal candidates for this aesthetic surgery are usually women who have given birth. Pregnancy often leads to a condition called rectus diastasis or, in other words, muscle separation. In short, it is the widening and thinning of the connective tissue which runs right down the middle of the belly.

Although diastasis most commonly occurs in women after pregnancy, men can also have it. 

The muscle separation makes the abdomen more protruded and rounder. Muscle divarication repair surgery can tighten the tissues and bring the muscle together.

Lipo Abdominoplasty

It is a procedure combining both the liposuction procedure and the tummy tuck procedure. During lipo abdominoplasty, the surgeon removes the excess skin and tightens the muscles through tummy tuck surgery and, at the same time, extracts the excess fat through liposuction.

Lipo abdominoplasty is the most appropriate option for people who have excess fat and skin in the abdominal region. The most common candidates for this surgery are women who have been pregnant or patients who have lost too much weight.

What type of abdominoplasty is right for you? 

If you want to find out what technique is right for you, it is best to see a plastic surgeon and have a detailed consultation with him/her. The doctor will determine the most appropriate type of abdominoplasty based on your physic, goals and specific needs. Each of the methods has its own benefits as well as side effects and risks.

During the consultation, you and your surgeon will thoroughly discuss the type of the surgery, the outcomes you can expect as well as the potential risks and complications associated with the particular procedure.

How to prepare for abdominoplasty?

Your surgeon will give you detailed information on how to prepare for your operation. You may be asked to:

  • Stop smoking. Smoking has an unfavourable effect on wound healing and also increases the risk of complications. It is recommended that you stop smoking at least two weeks before your surgery.
  • Stop taking blood-thinning medications. You shouldn’t take any medicines or herbal supplements that thin blood as they usually increase the risk of bleeding.
  • Notify your doctor if you have any medical condition or chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes. High blood pressure is a condition that needs to be well controlled during the surgery.

What is the recovery time for abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty usually requires a few days of hospitalization. However, at Shens Clinic, abdominoplasty is now a day-surgery procedure in which patients can go home on the same day of the surgery. You may also need someone to help you at home for a couple of weeks. The recovery time for abdominoplasty is usually longer than that for other cosmetic procedures. Most patients are able to return to work after 2 weeks. However, a full recovery can be expected after 3 months. If you have had lipo abdominoplasty, the healing might be longer.

After the operation, you will have to wear a compression garment (abdominal binder) for around 4-6 weeks. After this time, you might be able to perform a light exercise. Strenuous activity and heavy exercise must be avoided for at least 3 months.

Your surgeon will give you special post-surgery instructions. It is very important to follow them to have a smoother and quicker recovery as well as to avoid further complications.

What are the risks and side effects of abdominoplasty?

Side effects that you may experience after the surgery include:

  • tenacious pain;
  • swelling and bruising;
  • abdominal scar (usually around the belly button or along the lower abdomen);
  • loss of sensation.

The potential risks related to abdominoplasty include:

  • bleeding and infections;
  • seroma (fluid accumulation);
  • formation of blood clots;
  • boor healing of the wound;
  • dying of the fatty tissue (fat necrosis)
  • skin irregularities;
  • problems related to anaesthesia and so on.

You can minimize the risks of abdominoplasty surgery by choosing a trained and experienced doctor.

How to maintain abdominoplasty results?

After abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery, you need to make sure that you are continuing to look out for your body shape and weight. The results of the procedure can last far into the future as long as healthy living techniques are maintained.

One of the best ways to keep your results of abdominoplasty is by sticking to a proper diet. Make sure you consume enough vegetables, fruits, whole grains and high protein foods. Avoid foods that contain refined sugar and white flour. Exercising is also essential to keeping a healthy lifestyle and maintaining your abdominoplasty results.

In summary

Sagging skin and fat deposits in the abdomen are common problems that may occur after weight loss or pregnancy. Abdominoplasty is a plastic surgery that removes excess skin, restores core muscle strength and creates a firmer and flatter abdomen. It is usually done for cosmetic reasons.

Abdominoplasty is often combined with liposuction to achieve a better abdominal profile. Lipo abdominoplasty targets both sagging skin and fat deposits. This procedure allows patients to achieve an abdominal shape that cannot be obtained with either plastic surgery alone.

If you are considering abdominoplasty and you want to learn more about this cosmetic surgery procedure, do not hesitate to contact Shens Clinic and book an appointment with our consultant plastic surgeon.

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    Shens Clinic

    Shens Clinic, 3 Killiney Road, Winsland House 1, 
    #09-08, Singapore 239519
    Shens Clinic, 3 Killiney Road, Winsland House 1, #09-08, Singapore 239519

    Monday – Friday: 09:00am – 06:00pm
    Saturday: 09:00am – 02:00pm
    Sun and PH: Closed

    (Strictly by appointment only)

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