Body

Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while tightening the underlying muscles. Many individuals find that, despite diet and exercise, loose skin and weakened abdominal muscles persist, often after pregnancy or significant weight changes. Dr Sophie Ricketts, a specialist plastic surgeon, provides abdominoplasty with a focus on personalised results and patient safety.

Who Can Benefit from an Abdominoplasty?

Many patients seek abdominoplasty following changes in their body after pregnancy. During pregnancy, the skin stretches significantly, and the ‘six-pack’ muscles — known as the rectus abdominis — often separate, a condition called diastasis recti. After childbirth and weight loss, the skin and muscles may not return to their previous state. No amount of exercise can fully correct this separation or remove excess stretched skin. In such cases, abdominoplasty can restore a firmer, flatter abdomen and recreate a more defined waistline.

Another common group considering abdominoplasty includes individuals who have undergone significant weight loss, whether through diet, exercise, or bariatric surgery. Rapid or substantial weight reduction can leave behind loose skin that may cause discomfort, irritation, or difficulty wearing certain clothing. Abdominoplasty removes the excess skin and fat while repairing abdominal muscles, resulting in a more proportionate appearance and improved comfort in daily activities.

What Abdominoplasty Can and Cannot Do

It’s important to understand what abdominoplasty can achieve. This surgery effectively removes surplus skin and fat, tightens the abdominal muscles, and improves the overall shape of the midsection. However, it is not a substitute for weight loss or a treatment for obesity.

Many patients ask whether liposuction alone can prevent an abdominoplasty scar. While liposuction effectively removes fat deposits, it does not correct loose skin or separated abdominal muscles. Using liposuction without addressing excess skin may leave folds or hanging areas. That said, liposuction is often performed together with abdominoplasty to refine the waist and side areas, improving the overall outcome.

The Abdominoplasty Procedure

Abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia, usually requiring an overnight hospital stay. The surgeon makes an incision low on the abdomen, typically just above the pubic area, allowing removal of excess skin and fat. The separated abdominal muscles are sutured back together to create a firmer, flatter stomach. The skin is then pulled taut, and the incision is closed carefully to minimise scarring.

The procedure can vary depending on the area being treated — from a mini abdominoplasty, which focuses on the lower abdominal skin and fat, to an extended abdominoplasty that also addresses the flanks and back.

Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery from abdominoplasty takes time and patience. Most patients stay in the hospital for one to two nights. While you will be able to care for yourself after discharge, complete healing usually takes around six weeks. During this period, heavy lifting and strenuous activity should be avoided to allow the muscle repair to heal properly.

You will be provided with a compression garment to reduce swelling and support the abdomen as it heals. Most patients can return to light activities and work within three to six weeks, depending on the nature of their job. Follow-up appointments with Dr Ricketts ensure your recovery is progressing well and any concerns are promptly addressed.

Risks and Considerations

As with all surgery, abdominoplasty carries risks such as infection, bleeding, scarring, and changes in skin sensation. Dr Ricketts emphasises honest and thorough preoperative consultations, ensuring patients fully understand the risks and realistic outcomes of the procedure. Her commitment to patient safety and personalised care means every effort is made to minimise complications and support a smooth recovery.

Why Choose Dr Sophie Ricketts for Your Abdominoplasty?

With her extensive training and holistic approach, Dr Ricketts delivers results that balance aesthetic improvement with patient well-being. Her ethos of “Beauty with Integrity” means she prioritises natural, personalised outcomes and ethical practice. Each procedure is tailored to the individual’s anatomy and objectives, ensuring results that look and feel authentic.

If you are considering abdominoplasty and want to discuss whether this procedure is right for you, Dr Sophie Ricketts offers professional advice and compassionate care to guide you every step of the way.

If you’re considering a Mummy Makeover, it’s important to understand exactly what to expect.

In this blog, we’ll talk a bit about the procedures you can have as part of the operation and what to expect from the recovery period. Before scheduling your surgery, it’s important to discuss your expectations with a trained surgeon such as Dr. Sophie Ricketts.

After pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, many women notice significant changes in their bodies. The rigours of pregnancy, followed by the physical challenges of either giving birth or undergoing an invasive cesarean section, coupled with all the activity and adjustment of the ‘fourth trimester’ can result in many women feeling drained, exhausted, and disconnected from their bodies. A ‘Mummy Makeover’ enables women to reclaim their bodies and restore their confidence after pregnancy and childbirth.

What Procedures Are Performed in a Mummy Makeover?

Mummy Makeovers are a series of procedures that reshape a woman’s body after pregnancy and childbirth. This combination of surgical and non-surgical procedures can tighten and firm the body to help the patient achieve a smoother, toned body. Typical procedures include abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and breast augmentation, breast lift or reduction.

Following Mummy Makeover surgery, you can expect your stomach to look tighter and flatter, and your breasts ‘perkier.’ Depending on the other procedures you have as part of your Mummy Makeover, you may also see a reduction in visible stretch marks and notice slimmer contours in other areas of your body.

What Can I Expect While Recovering from Mummy Makeover Surgery?

Patients can expect swelling and bruising to increase over the first two weeks after a Mummy Makeover. This is normal and will slowly fade as time goes on. You will be required to wear compression garments for a period after your surgery to aid in reducing swelling.

The full recovery time for a Mummy Makeover can be up to 6 weeks, depending on the specific procedures involved. You should take it easy for a week or 2 after your surgery. Generally, patients cannot exercise heavily for six weeks after undergoing the surgery and should be careful lifting objects weighing more than 2.5 kilograms during this period. Light activity such as walking can commence as early as around 2 weeks after surgery. Patients should consult with Dr. Ricketts before engaging in any strenuous physical activity. After six weeks, patients can return to a more active lifestyle.

The patient must have support from their partner or other family members at home during recovery – getting over major surgery while caring for small children isn’t ideal for a smooth and comfortable healing process. Patients should ideally take at least two weeks off from work to rest and recuperate and consult with Dr. Ricketts before restarting any physical activities.

What are the Costs of a Mummy Makeover?

The costs of a Mummy Makeover can range enormously, depending on the procedures you choose. Consultations with Dr. Ricketts will help you determine how many treatments and surgical procedures are needed and what the costs involved will be. Important to note is that you’ll also need to consider the cost of hospital facilities and follow-up visits.

Most cosmetic procedures are not covered by health funds or Medicare. If you choose to do your surgery with Dr. Ricketts, you’ll receive an upfront quote for the cost of your Mummy Makeover, as well as consultation and a thorough explanation of the procedures you select. There are some rebates for circumstances such as where there is significant separation of stomach muscles or if a breast reduction is necessary. These rebates help enormously with hospital and theatre costs and will be discussed at your consultation.

How Can We Help?

Dr. Sophie Ricketts states that she derives “great satisfaction from assisting patients to achieve the best version of themselves and also offers a highly qualified service in breast and body surgery.” If you’ve been feeling unhappy in your skin or no longer recognize yourself in the mirror, Dr. Ricketts can help you reclaim your self-confidence and sense of self.

For more information on the procedures offered by Dr. Sophie Ricketts, please have a look here.

To arrange a consultation, please call (03) 9828 1307, or contact us here.

There are a few ways in which you can reduce the visibility of surgical scars.

If you have decided to undergo tummy tuck surgery, you can expect a smoother, tighter abdominal area and a generally more aesthetically pleasing contour. But the reality is that surgery does leave scars. The good news, however, is that there are a few things you can do during your recovery to reduce the visibility of your scar.

Here’s what you should know before you begin your treatment…

1.  Prepare for your surgery

One of the best things you can do to ensure excellent results and minimise scarring after tummy tuck surgery is to choose a fully qualified and experienced surgeon – check for the (FRACS) credential which means they are trained and recognised through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Chat to your surgeon about any concerns that you have regarding scarring and ask them to explain exactly how big and where your scar is expected to be.

Your surgeon will let you know what shape scar you will have depending on the technique that they choose to use. The prominence of your scar will depend on a few factors, including the surgical technique your surgeon uses, your unique skin type and how well you follow the aftercare instructions that your surgeon gives you.

If you smoke, it is very important that you stop for at least six weeks before your surgery is scheduled. This will help to reduce the risk of surgical complications and delay in the healing process.

2.  Follow your surgeon’s instructions

To ensure that your scar fades over time, it is important that you follow any instructions that your surgeon gives you for your recovery.

It’s advisable that you eat a healthy, balanced diet throughout your recovery period — try to include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as water into your eating plan.

Your surgeon is likely to recommend that you avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for around six weeks after surgery. Gentle walking is the best form of exercise from about 2 weeks after your surgery. You should also avoid any activity that activates your front core muscles such as lifting for 6 weeks and you should also use your binder garment for support until this time.

3.  Take care of your incision

Keeping your scar clean is an essential step in preventing infection after surgery. You should take care of your general hygiene with regular showering. Your incision will be covered with water-proof dressings for a couple of weeks and after that we use paper tape that stays on for a week at a time up to about 6 weeks after your surgery. Keep a lookout for potential signs of infection — these include increased swelling or redness that does not improve with time, smelly discharge from the incision, fever and worsening pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact your surgeon immediately.

4.  Take care of your skin

Once the period of post operative taping is over (6 weeks after the surgery) you may find it helpful to apply vitamin E or Bio-Oil™ to your skin — this will keep your scar and the surrounding area moisturised, and generally improve the appearance of your skin. For best results, choose a pure vitamin E oil and apply it to your scar daily for the first few months following surgery. Once your scar has healed, you can continue to use the oil to massage the scar tissue.

It’s also very important that you apply sunscreen to your scar — scars are made of new skin and are particularly prone to darkening when exposed to the sun. Ideally, you should avoid too much sun exposure and use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more.

How can we help?

Dr Sophie Ricketts offers a number of procedures for the body, including tummy tuck surgery. If you are dissatisfied with stubborn skin and fat in the abdominal area, we encourage you to come in and see Dr Ricketts for a consultation. She will confirm whether you are a suitable candidate for the surgery, and explain the details of the treatment to you in detail. She will also let you know what to expect from the recovery period, and what you can do to enjoy a smooth healing process.

If you would like to find out more about tummy tuck surgery and what the procedure involves, please have a look here.

If you would like to arrange a consultation with Dr Sophie Ricketts, please don’t hesitate to get in touch here.

An abdominoplasty is often an ideal option for individuals who have been through pregnancy or significant weight loss.

If you are considering cosmetic surgery to improve the contours of your body, one of the procedures you may be considering is a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck involves the removal of excess fat and skin from the abdominal area, resulting in a flatter, more toned stomach. But, how do you know if you are a suitable candidate for the treatment? Read on to find out more about the procedure, who can benefit from it, and what to expect from the recovery process…

What is a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that is performed to achieve a tighter, smoother-looking abdominal area. During the surgery, your surgeon will remove excess skin and fat and tighten the underlying connective tissue. The remaining skin is repositioned to achieve a smoother, more toned contour.

Who is a suitable candidate?

There are a few reasons one may choose to undergo a tummy tuck procedure. The treatment is particularly well-suited for women who have been through pregnancy and are struggling with stretched skin as a result. A tummy tuck can help to remove excess skin that is resistant to diet and exercise and can also repair any separation of the stomach muscles that may have occurred.

The tummy tuck procedure is also very popular among individuals who have lost a considerable amount of weight. Significant weight loss often results in stretched and sagging skin — during the abdominoplasty process, this excess skin is removed, and the stomach muscles are repaired and tightened.

If you are considering a tummy tuck, it is important to know that you should be at a stable and healthy body weight before going ahead with the surgery. Your surgeon may advise against the treatment if you have a chronic condition like diabetes; if you have a BMI of 30 or more; or if you are considering a pregnancy in the future.

What is the recovery like?

After your surgery, you can expect to experience some pain and swelling. Your surgeon will prescribe some medications to ease any discomfort that you feel. You will need to wear a compression garment for around six weeks following surgery — this will support your abdomen and prevent the build-up of excess fluid.

It is important that you avoid strenuous activity for around six weeks after your tummy tuck procedure. Be sure to attend all your follow-up appointments and raise any concerns that you have with your surgeon throughout your recovery period.

Once you have healed completely, you can expect a slimmer, more toned appearance. It is advisable that you maintain a stable and healthy body weight to enjoy the results of your surgery in the long term.

How can we help?

Dr Sophie Ricketts offers a range of cosmetic procedures designed to improve the contour of the body. If you would like to remove excess skin and fat in the abdominal area and tighten the stomach muscles for a firmer, flatter abdomen, you might consider a tummy tuck.

If you would like to find out more about abdominoplasty and what the treatment involves, please have a look here.

Dr Sophie Ricketts also offers a range of other cosmetic procedures, including treatments for the face, nose, breasts and body. To see the full list of available services, please have a look here.

If you would like to arrange a consultation with Dr Sophie Ricketts, please don’t hesitate to get in touch here.  Dr Ricketts offers both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery and uses contemporary techniques. She loves to help each of her patients achieve the best version of themselves and works with a dedicated team of support staff and nurses to provide compassionate care.