Full Abdominoplasty

A full abdominoplasty, or standard abdominoplasty, removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and repairs the abdominal muscles where they have separated. It is the most common type of abdominoplasty after pregnancy, when the skin has stretched and does not return and the vertical muscles of the abdomen have separated, a condition called divarication recti. It treats the skin both above and below the umbilicus, which is what distinguishes it from a mini abdominoplasty.

At your consultation, Dr Ricketts examines your abdomen, assesses your skin and the degree of muscle separation, and asks about your history, including pregnancies, weight change and your plans for the future. She then explains what a full abdominoplasty can achieve for you, the scar, the recovery and the risks.

The scar runs low and horizontally across the abdomen from hip to hip, usually positioned so it can be hidden by underwear, with a small scar around the umbilicus. Dr Ricketts elevates the skin and fat to expose the muscle wall, repairs the separated rectus muscles to support the abdominal wall, removes the excess skin and fat, repositions the umbilicus, and closes the incision. Bringing the muscles back together can also improve core support, which is often affected after pregnancy.

A full abdominoplasty may suit you if you have loose abdominal skin above and below the umbilicus, separated muscles, or both, after pregnancy or weight loss that have not responded to diet and exercise, and if you are in reasonable general health at a stable weight. It is best to have finished having children, because pregnancy can stretch the skin and separate the repaired muscles again. Smoking significantly increases the risk of healing problems and blood clots, so stopping well before and after surgery is necessary.

At your consultation, Dr Ricketts examines your abdomen and assesses your skin, fat and muscle separation, and asks about your history and your future plans. She then explains the technique, the scar, the recovery and the risks, and whether liposuction would add to your result. She gives you written information and time to consider your decision, and discusses measures to reduce the risk of blood clots, which is an important consideration with abdominal surgery.

A full abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic, and most patients stay in hospital for two nights. On the day Dr Ricketts marks the area beforehand, and the team looks after you from admission through to recovery. Soft silicone drains are sometimes used and are usually removed before you are discharged. You will go home with waterproof dressings, wearing a compression garment (abdominal binder), and with written instructions for the first few weeks.

You will wear a compression garment full time for the first three weeks and daytime only for a further three weeks. In the first one to two weeks expect to stand and walk slightly bent forward, with discomfort, swelling and bruising, and you will need help at home, particularly with lifting and with young children.

Many people return to desk work at around three to four weeks, with longer for physical work. Gentle exercise such as walking can commence from two to three weeks after surgery, while intensive exercise, lifting and core activity are restricted for at least six weeks, because resuming these too early can affect the muscle repair. The abdomen continues to settle and numbness improves over the following months, and the scar fades gradually over a year or so. Dr Ricketts will see you for reviews. Healing varies between individuals, and the outcomes one person experiences do not necessarily reflect what another will experience.

Dr Sophie Ricketts is a specialist plastic surgeon based in Richmond, Melbourne, with a focused practice in body contouring surgery, including full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and a member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), the peak professional bodies for plastic surgery in Australia. You can also find her on RealSelf. Each of these listings is maintained by independent organisations and provides patients with a straightforward way to check the qualifications, training, and scope of practice of the listed providers before booking a consultation.