What You Need to Consider When Getting a Tummy Tuck

Do you find yourself heading to the gym to try and get the rock hard abs you dream of, but find it frustrating to achieve? There are many physical changes that occur to the body, no more commonly than the stomach. When we think of childbirth, weight fluctuations and the general ageing process, it goes through a lot. Unfortunately, as many people find it can be difficult to achieve your youthful figure around your stomach. 

One way patients opt to go back to the figure that they once knew is through a tummy tuck surgical procedure, also known as an abdominoplasty. It helps to achieve a sculpted waist and smooth the appearance of your stomach. 

As with any surgical procedure, there are considerations to make and the same goes for getting a tummy tuck. Complications and recovery concerns should be outlined and it’s important these are considered to make sure it’s the right procedure for you. Here are some points to consider when getting a tummy tuck:

Significant downtime is required

A tummy tuck procedure is a major procedure, therefore it will require time to heal. This is due to the incision running right across the hip below the stomach so you should expect recovery to take up to at least 2-3 weeks after the surgery. 

Shortly after the surgery, you will feel fatigued and sore as the incisions will be raw. Gradually, as time passes your body will naturally begin to recover and you can ensure a speedier recovery by adhering to the recovery guidelines that are provided to you. You may also need some help at home whilst you recover and avoid strenuous activities for at least 4 weeks.

It requires a stable weight before going ahead

During your consultation when getting a tummy tuck procedure, your surgeon will examine your current physical condition to determine whether you’re a suitable candidate for the procedure. As part of the procedure, they’ll also examine your weight as they’ll need to be sure you’re at a stable enough weight for the surgery to run smoothly. 

This is important as any fluctuations in weight prior to your surgery can impact the contoured results of your surgery. 

Permanent scars will occur from the procedure

It’s important to be aware that with a tummy tuck surgery being such a major surgery, it will leave scarring. This is because the incision is made from hip to hip above the pubic bone. Of course, over time the scar will fade but it will remain visible for many years. Despite this, experienced surgeons will place the incision in an area that is most concealed for underneath clothing.

Full healing can take up to a year

You should expect the full results of your tummy tuck soon after your surgery. In fact, the first several weeks you will experience bruising, swelling and redness in the early stages of recovery. It won’t be until around 4-6 weeks that you’ll start to see results before around 6 months where the swelling will significantly reduce. Although around 6 months you will start to feel back to your old self it won’t be until around a year when you’re likely to see a full recovery. 

Getting a tummy tuck at Gary Ross

We offer vast experience and knowledge of tummy tuck procedures. Our team at Gary Ross will be able to guide you throughout the process and ensure we try to meet your needs as much as possible. Please refer to our abdominoplasty case studies to gain a better understanding of the type of results you’re likely to achieve and find more details about the procedure on our tummy tuck procedure page. Contact us today to book a consultation. 

How Long Does It Take To Recover From A Tummy Tuck Procedure?

How Long Does It Take To Recover From A Tummy Tuck Procedure?

When it comes to how long it takes to recover from a tummy tuck, every patient will be different. There are many factors to consider before choosing to have body contouring surgery, one of which is the recovery process. Patients will often ask how long it takes to recover from a tummy tuck, and with good reason.

A quick search online will reveal that the first stage of recovery will take around 2 weeks and normal activity can resume after 2 months. However, it’s important to remember that tummy tuck recovery time will be determined by a number of factors. These include the type of surgery, your overall health before the surgery and how well you follow the post-operative advice. Before you can decide if abdominoplasty surgery is right for you, it’s important to find the right surgeon.

It All Starts With a Consultation

All patients will have a consultation before undergoing any kind of abdominoplasty surgery. This informal meeting allows patients to meet their surgeon and ask questions about their procedure.

The question of how long it takes to recover from tummy tuck surgery is one that is likely to crop up. It’s important for the patient to have a thorough understanding of what is involved both before and after surgery. This will allow them to make an informed decision about what type of surgery is best for them.

Types of Abdominoplasty

There are many factors that need to be taken into account before abdominoplasty surgery can take place. Every patient is different, so recovery times will vary. Mini tummy tucks designed to only remove small amounts of skin are less invasive than full abdominoplasty techniques. This can result in a shorter tummy tuck recovery time.

How long it takes to recover from a tummy tuck depends on which body contouring surgery a patient requires. If fat transfer or liposuction is also required, this will also alter the recovery time.

As well as the difference in techniques, health factors must be considered. Patients in good health often heal faster and have fewer complications. It’s advised patients eat well in the lead-up to and after tummy tuck procedures.

Smoking can also be a major factor in tummy tuck surgery recovery time as it can impact the wound healing process. You’ll be advised to quit smoking before any cosmetic surgery procedures regardless.

Take your Surgeon’s Advice

Post-operatively you can improve how long it takes to recover from your tummy tuck by following your surgeons advice and attending your follow up appointments. The follow-up appointments will give you a chance to ask questions about the wound healing process and ensure your surgeon is satisfied with the outcome.

If you’re told to rest and avoid exercise or strenuous activity, take heed and relax. You will heal from surgery much faster and reduce the likelihood of complications such as burst stitches.
Remember, Everyone is Different

While there are certain steps you can take that will help you to recover from tummy tuck surgery faster, it’s important to remember that everyone is different. Every case is unique, and your recovery will depend on multiple factors. The best pre-operative advice is to do your research, follow the advice given to you by your plastic surgeon, and take the time to consider your options.

Book Your Tummy Tuck Consultation

Mr Gary Ross is a plastic surgeon in Manchester who specialises in body contouring procedures such as abdominoplasty. Patients looking to book a tummy tuck consultation should email the clinic to arrange an appointment.

What To Look For In An Abdominoplasty Surgeon

What To Look For In An Abdominoplasty Surgeon

Undergoing abdominoplasty surgery requires seeking the skills of a tummy tuck expert, but when considering the fleur de lis technique it’s important to do your research and find the best abdominoplasty surgeon specialising in this type of body contouring surgery.

Mr Gary Ross is a plastic surgeon in Manchester pioneering this type of cosmetic surgery. He has performed numerous successful surgeries on patients in the north of England and beyond. He has been performing this detailed form of body contouring surgery for a long time, offering patients life-changing results whilst managing expectations to ensure satisfactory treatment.

The fleur de lis tummy tuck has become more well known recently due to articles in the press. This, in turn, has led patients to consider body contouring surgery outside of a traditional tummy tuck. In this variation of the procedure, a vertical incision is created in order to remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen and flanks. The scar is more visible but, unlike the mini tummy tuck and abdominoplasty procedures that focus on the lower part of the midsection, this is designed to tackle the upper mid section as well.

If you are considering tummy tuck surgery, and specifically the fleur de lis approach, you will likely have some questions about the procedure; how long does it take, what will the results be like, what scarring should be expected? Your questions are important, and help form part of the decision making process, which is where seeking out the best abdominoplasty surgeon is vital.

The a good abdominoplasty surgeon should have a complete understanding of all forms of tummy tuck surgery, including the fleur de lis approach and other more complex variations of this type of body contouring procedure. Patients should undergo a thorough consultation with their plastic surgeon of choice in order to ascertain which type of body contouring surgery is most suitable, along with how to prepare for the surgery.

In some cases fat transfer and liposuction or skin tightening treatments may be combined with abdominoplasty procedures. The key to a successful fleur de lis – or indeed any form of tummy tuck surgery – is to ensure you understand the risks as well as the rewards of undergoing the cosmetic surgery.

Realistic expectations are important, which is a responsibility the best abdominoplasty surgeon for your case should prioritise, and all patients should be offered surgery only if it’s truly appropriate and likely to provide good results. Every case is different, and there is no one size fits all approach to any form of body contouring.

When considering any cosmetic procedures it’s worth doing your research and making sure you consult with a plastic surgeon who specialises in the field of surgery you’re hoping to undergo. Take the time to check the credentials of the surgeon, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or to ask for before and after photographs. You may even be able to speak to former patients about their experience in order to make an informed and safe decision.

The Different Types Of Abdominoplasty Surgery

The Different Types Of Abdominoplasty Surgery

When choosing tummy tuck surgery you need to know the types of abdominoplasty surgery that are available and ultimately which form of the procedure is most suitable for your aesthetic goals and circumstances.

Mr Gary Ross is a plastic surgeon in Manchester who specialises in this form of body rejuvenation surgery. He performs a myriad of tummy tuck treatments designed to recontour the abdomen, both as stand alone procedures or as part of mummy makeover surgery.

Under the umbrella of abdominoplasty surgery there are several variations of the popular cosmetic surgery procedure, including fleur de lis abdominoplasty and the mini tummy tuck, as well as the ‘traditional tummy tuck’.

A patient may choose to seek tummy tuck surgery for a number of reasons. In most cases this type of body contouring surgery is undertaken to improve the mid section after pregnancy (mummy makeover surgery) extreme weight loss or the ageing process. The basic principle is to remove excess skin and firm the appearance of the mid section, although techniques vary depending on the patient’s individual needs.

Mini Tummy Tuck

If a ‘full’ or traditional tummy tuck is not required, a mini tummy tuck may be suggested to remove excess fat and skin. This is still a surgical procedure, of course, but only addresses the lower abdominal area. Patients who have excess loose tissue following childbirth or following previous abdominal surgery are usually the best candidates for this type of body rejuvenation surgery.

Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck

The fleur de lis abdominoplasty removes unwanted or excess fat and skin and rejuvenates the abdominal area to leave the abdomen looking firmer and tighter. Mr Ross is one of the pioneers of this for of tummy tuck surgery in the UK. This body contouring procedure is usually more suitable for patients who have a lot of excess skin and fat in the upper abdomen and/or around the flanks.

Most notably, TV presenter Lisa Riley underwent this form of body rejuvenation surgery after losing a substantial amount of weight. In some cases, this type of abdominoplasty is offered to patients that have midline abdominal scars already, as part of treatment to rejuvenate the area further. Every case is different and an assessment is required to determine suitability.

Whether a patient undergoes a mini tummy tuck or requires the fleur de lis, all variations of abdominoplasty are surgical and require invasive techniques. For this reason, undergoing tummy tuck surgery should be considered thoroughly and only after consultation with a plastic surgeon.

What to expect during a consultation

A consultation for a fleur de lis or mini tummy tuck procedures enables the patient to learn more about the body contouring procedures. It’s an opportunity for the plastic surgeon to evaluate and advise on a treatment plan based on the results of an examination, but also allows the patient to ask questions and get an understanding about the abdominoplasty procedure and recovery.

Whether fleur de lis abdominoplasty or mini tummy tuck is undertaken, scarring is unavoidable, but most patients agree this is a fair trade for a flatter abdomen and a more toned appearance to the mid section. Both abdominoplasty procedures can form part of wider mummy makeover surgery, alongside breast uplift/mastopexy procedures.

Mr Ross helps patients from Manchester and surrounding areas, including Cheshire, Altrincham, Wirral, Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Nantwich, Sale, Prestwich and Whitefield, to transform their appearance with tummy tuck surgery and mummy makeover surgery. It’s important to have realistic expectations of the outcome of abdominoplasty surgery, and your plastic surgeon should manage expectations before and after the procedure.

To find out more about this form of body rejuvenation surgery, and how it can form part of mummy makeover surgery, get in touch to arrange a consultation.

Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery Made Simple

Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery Made Simple

Abdominoplasty procedures are becoming increasingly more sought after, thanks partly to the rise of the mummy makeover, but it’s the mini tummy tuck that patients are contacting the clinic most about this month.

What is a mini tummy tuck?

Unlike a full abdominoplasty, or the fleur de lis abdominoplasty, which also tackles the flanks, the mini tummy tuck is designed to help patients seeking to rejuvenate the lower part of the abdomen. The mini tummy tuck helps patients who have less skin to remove, making it more suitable for women following childbirth or patients that may have had previous abdominal surgery.

A mini tuck does not remove a large amount of skin. For that reason it can only achieve subtle results and has a negligible impact on concerns such as stretch marks which the full tummy tuck procedure can address.

It’s important to remember that if loose skin at and above the belly button is present, a full tummy tuck or fleur de lis is likely to be needed. A consultation is required to ensure this form of body rejuvenation is both suitable and safe for the patient to undergo. A full examination is required to ascertain the main issues and how best they can be treated.

How does the procedure work?

During a smaller tummy tuck procedure, skin and excess fat will be removed from the lower part of the abdomen. This procedure usually takes between 60 to 90 minutes. An incision is made just above the pubic region, and as part of this cosmetic procedure, the skin is carefully separated from the underlying tissue. In some cases the plastic surgeon can tighten the abdominal wall too.

Will I have a big scar?

The extent of the incision varies from patient to patient, although it’s important to consider that more tissue can be removed if the incision is longer. Of course, this does however result is a larger scar, so it’s important to discuss and consider your options prior to undergoing mini tummy tuck surgery.

Generally, in mini tummy tuck surgery, the skin is then stretched down and any excess skin is removed. The tummy button does not need relocating, unlike during the full abdominoplasty or fleur de lis variation. The incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches and the skin is repositioned.

How long does recovery take?

It is unusual to require drains although a compressive dressing is usually needed. The good news is that recovery from mini tummy tuck surgery is usually faster than from a full tummy tuck, because it often involves a small incision and less time in surgery.

To book a consultation to discuss your body rejuvenation surgery needed please email the team to arrange an appointment with Mr Gary Ross to talk through your tummy tuck options.