Abdominoplasty

Restore Your Abdominal Contour with Personalised Surgery

Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while tightening the abdominal wall when the muscles have separated (rectus diastasis). The aim is to create a firmer, flatter abdominal contour and improve body proportions.

Many people find that despite maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise, loose skin and muscle separation following pregnancy or significant weight loss cannot be corrected without surgery.

Dr Namal Munasinghe provides personalised abdominoplasty surgery in Berwick and Mulgrave, tailoring every procedure to each patient's anatomy, goals and lifestyle.

Who May Benefit from Abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty may be suitable if you have:

• Excess loose abdominal skin

• Separation of the abdominal muscles (rectus diastasis)

• Skin laxity following pregnancy

• Excess skin after significant weight loss

• Stretch marks affecting the lower abdomen

• Localised abdominal fat that remains despite a healthy lifestyle

Ideal candidates are generally in good health, have reached a stable body weight and have realistic expectations regarding surgery and recovery.

What Does Abdominoplasty Correct?

Abdominoplasty may address:

• Loose abdominal skin

• Excess lower abdominal fat

• Muscle separation after pregnancy

• Weakness of the abdominal wall

• Stretch marks located on the lower abdomen

• Poor abdominal contour

Although abdominoplasty improves the appearance of the abdomen, it is not a substitute for weight loss and is not designed as a treatment for obesity.

Types of Abdominoplasty

Full Abdominoplasty

A full tummy tuck addresses the entire abdomen and is the most commonly performed procedure. It includes removal of excess skin, repair of rectus diastasis where appropriate, repositioning of the umbilicus (belly button), and reshaping of the abdominal contour.

Mini Abdominoplasty

A mini tummy tuck is suitable for selected patients with excess skin confined to the lower abdomen and minimal muscle separation.

Extended Abdominoplasty

An extended tummy tuck treats both the abdomen and the flanks, making it a suitable option for some patients following significant weight loss.

Fleur-de-Lis Abdominoplasty

For patients with severe skin excess after major weight loss, a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck may remove both horizontal and vertical excess skin to improve overall abdominal contour.

Rectus Diastasis (Abdominal Muscle Separation)

Pregnancy and significant weight changes can cause the rectus muscles to separate, resulting in abdominal weakness and a persistent bulge.

When appropriate, Dr Namal repairs the separated muscles during abdominoplasty to restore abdominal wall support and improve core contour.

Liposuction and Abdominoplasty

Many patients benefit from liposuction performed at the same time as abdominoplasty.

Liposuction can improve contour around the:

• Waist

• Flanks ("love handles")

• Upper abdomen

• Lower back (selected patients)

Combining procedures may provide a more harmonious overall body contour where appropriate.

Your Consultation

During your consultation, Dr Namal will discuss:

• Your goals

• Previous pregnancies

• Weight changes

• Medical history

• Previous abdominal surgery

• Current medications

• Smoking history

• Future pregnancy plans

A detailed examination will assess:

• Skin quality

• Fat distribution

• Muscle separation

• Existing scars

• Hernias

• Overall body proportions

Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual patient.

The Procedure

Abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia in an accredited hospital.

Depending on the extent of surgery, the procedure may involve:

• Removal of excess skin and fat

• Repair of rectus diastasis

• Liposuction (where appropriate)

• Repositioning of the umbilicus

• Layered wound closure

• Progressive tension (quilting) sutures to reduce fluid accumulation

• Surgical drains in selected patients

The operation generally takes 2–4 hours, depending on complexity.

Recovery

Recovery varies between individuals.

First Week

Patients generally experience:

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Tightness

• Mild to moderate discomfort

Walking is encouraged from the first postoperative day.

Weeks 2–6

Most patients gradually return to normal daily activities while avoiding heavy lifting.

Compression garments are usually worn for several weeks to support healing.

Long-Term Recovery

Final scar maturation and resolution of swelling continue over many months.

Before Surgery

Before surgery, Dr Namal may recommend:

• Achieving a stable weight

• Stopping smoking well before surgery

• Optimising medical conditions

• Avoiding medications that increase bleeding risk

• Arranging assistance at home during early recovery

Patients planning future pregnancies are usually advised to postpone abdominoplasty until their family is complete where possible.

Aftercare

Comprehensive postoperative care includes:

• Regular follow-up appointments

• Scar management advice

• Compression garment guidance

• Activity recommendations

• Early mobilisation

• Ongoing support throughout recovery

Potential Risks

All surgery carries potential risks.

Potential complications include:

• Bleeding (haematoma)

• Infection

• Seroma (fluid collection)

• Delayed wound healing

• Wound separation

• Skin or umbilical healing problems

• Changes in skin sensation

• Scarring

• Asymmetry

• Fat necrosis

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

• Pulmonary embolism

• Need for revision surgery

Dr Namal will discuss the risks and benefits of surgery in detail during your consultation, taking into account your individual circumstances.

Note: The likelihood of complications varies between patients depending on factors such as smoking, diabetes, obesity, previous surgery and overall health. Published complication rates differ across studies and should not be interpreted as predicting an individual patient's outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose weight after a tummy tuck?

No. Abdominoplasty is a body contouring procedure rather than a weight loss operation.

Will my stretch marks disappear?

Stretch marks located within the skin that is removed are eliminated. Stretch marks remaining above the incision may improve in appearance but are not removed.

Can I become pregnant after abdominoplasty?

Pregnancy is possible after surgery, but it may alter the surgical result. Patients are generally encouraged to consider surgery after completing their family.

Will I have a scar?

Yes. A permanent scar is expected and is usually positioned low on the abdomen so it can often be concealed beneath underwear or swimwear.

How long before I can exercise?

Walking is encouraged early after surgery. More strenuous activity should only be resumed when advised by your surgeon.

Why Choose Dr Namal Munasinghe?

Dr Namal Munasinghe is an Australian-trained Specialist Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon providing abdominoplasty and body contouring surgery in Berwick and Mulgrave.

He is committed to providing personalised, evidence-based care, taking the time to understand each patient's goals, explain all treatment options and support them throughout their surgical journey. Every procedure is carefully planned to achieve a balanced abdominal contour while prioritising patient safety and informed decision-making.