Abdominoplasty Sydney

An abdominoplasty will have personalised procedure steps, which will influence the total costs of the surgery. The complexity of the procedure, your desired results, surgeon’s fees, hospital fees, anaesthesia costs and any costs associated with the recovery process will all factor in to your total procedure costs. This includes factors such as the amount of abdominal fat deposits and excess skin you would need to have removed, and whether you will be undergoing a traditional or mini abdominoplasty. Costs associated with recovery can include compression garments, medications, and important items to cover would care. All of these factors can be discussed in detail during a thorough in-person consultation, where you and your surgeon will discuss a personalised treatment plan, designed to achieve your goals for the surgery. To receive your personalised quote and discuss the specific details of your personalised surgery, you can book your abdominoplasty consultation in Sydney and North Shore and meet with Dr Bish.

Abdominoplasty surgery The procedure

Abdominoplasty is performed in an accredited private hospital under general anaesthesia. Generally, the procedure takes three to four hours and requires a five-day hospital admission, but this will depend on the personalised details of your procedure.

Dr Bish will use appropriate surgical methods for each patient’s individual case, as discussed during a consultation. In some cases, the operation can be combined with liposuction to aid in removing fatty deposits.

There are two types of abdominoplasty procedures that are commonly performed:

Traditional abdominoplasty

During a traditional abdominoplasty, a low-lying incision is made from hip to hip, to allow for maximum access to the abdominal muscles. Once the incision is made, Dr Bish tightens the abdominal wall muscles before removing excess abdominal skin and fat. The skin is then pulled into a tighter position and sutured into its new position on the abdominal wall. The belly button is then repositioned into a higher position. Dr Bish often combines this procedure with liposuction of the upper abdomen, flanks and pubic area, depending on the patient’s surgical plan.

Mini abdominoplasty

A mini abdominoplasty can be beneficial for patients who have a small amount of loose skin or fat. Due to the shorter incision, the procedure removes excess skin and fatty deposits but does not address the abdominal muscles.

The type of procedure that you will need will essentially depend on the features of your abdomen and your desired results. Your surgeon will personalise your procedure steps and go through them with you before the day of your surgery.

Abdominoplasty surgery Aftercare and results

After a traditional abdominoplasty, patients will need to wear a compression abdominal binder for about six weeks to minimise swelling and to support the abdomen as it heals. Dr Bish may use drainage tubes temporarily to drain any excess fluid that may collect.

Since your procedure is highly personalised and every patient will have different needs, you will receive personalised recovery instructions during your consultation. Generally, patients are encouraged to walk short distances and to perform deep breathing exercises throughout recovery to prevent complications, while avoiding strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for about six weeks. You can expect to need to take about four weeks off work and avoid driving for about two weeks after surgery. Recovery times vary from patient to patient, but you can expect to resume light housework and activities after one or two weeks. You will be instructed on how to care for the surgical site, particularly keeping incision sites clean to avoid complications such as infection.

You can also discuss what you can expect in regard to your personal results during your consultation. Initially, after surgery, you may experience a degree of bruising and swelling initially and some numbness in the area between your belly button and surgical scar. You may feel tightness in the abdomen and find it difficult to stand up straight. It is common to experience some pain and swelling after abdominoplasty surgery, but your prescribed pain medication will help you manage any discomfort. Particularly in the first week, you may need to have a friend or family member help you with daily tasks around the house and caring for children.

Although recovery is different for every patient, most patients can expect their swelling and bruising to subside within two weeks. However, complete recovery may take a few months. After your body fully heals, you will be able to enjoy the results of your procedure.

Abdominoplasty surgery Risks and complications

No surgery is without risk. Your surgeon will thoroughly inform you of the potential risks and complications of the procedure, and how these can be minimised. Choosing a qualified surgeon and following your personalised preparation and recovery instructions are the most important steps to take to prevent complications.

During your consultation, you will be asked some questions to determine if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. One of the main purposes of ensuring that the procedure is only performed on suitable candidates is to minimise potential complications. You may be a suitable candidate but may need to make some changes in preparation for your procedure, such as quitting smoking or switching to different medications, as smoking and certain medications can thin the blood and raise your risk of complications occurring.

You will discuss the risks in further detail during your consultation, but complications of abdominoplasty can typically include

• Bleeding at the incision site
• Infection
• Fluid build-up
• Poor scarring
• Temporary or permanent loss of skin sensation
• Further surgery to correct issues
• Medical complications such as pulmonary embolism and chest infection
• Anaesthetic complications
• Some of these complications, if they do occur, can be addressed with an appropriate treatment or follow-up procedure.

After your surgery, you will be monitored in hospital to ensure that no immediate complications have occurred. You will then be sent home with personalised recovery instructions to continue to prevent complications and ensure sufficient recovery. To monitor your healing progress, you can have a check-up appointment as discussed during your consultation. It is important to look after yourself throughout your recovery and report any concerning signs to your surgeon for advice.