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Adominoplasty tummy tuck surgery

The Mini Tummy Tuck

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Is troublesome sagging, stretched tissue on your lower stomach holding back your confidence when it comes to wearing fitted clothing or swim suits? Genetics, pregnancy, weight loss and general ageing can all leave us with this unwanted excess tissue, and unfortunately efforts we make in diet and exercise are often ineffective in resolving it.

For those looking for a solution, a mini tummy tuck (mini abdominoplasty) is an increasingly popular surgical procedure to correct excess tissue in this region, leaving an aesthetically pleasing contour.

What is a Mini Tummy Tuck?

Targeting the lower abdomen (lower stomach), a mini tummy tuck removes excess loose skin and fatty tissue between your tummy button and pubic area, leaving a flatter and firmer stomach. Abdominal muscles that have been weakened or stretched can also be repaired and tightened with a Mini Tummy Tuck if necessary. The standard tummy tuck procedure, in comparison, targets the whole stomach area, removing excess skin both below and above the stomach button.

Is a Mini Tummy Tuck the best option for me?

mini tummy tuck before and after photoA mini tummy tuck is best for those who are at a healthy, stable weight, with a small amount of stubborn excess skin and fat between the tummy and pubic region. The stomach of mini tummy tuck patients may have a ‘crinkly’ or sagging appearance and protrude slightly, experiencing some or no lower abdominal over hang. For those with a large amount of sagging excess skin, however, a full tummy tuck may be more appropriate.

Both men and women are eligible for the procedure. However, it is advised that women looking to have children discuss their situation with a surgeon before making a decision, to ensure they can achieve long-lasting results.

The best way to find out if this procedure is the best option for you, however, is to arrange a mini tummy tuck consultation with an expert abdominoplasty surgeon, who will assess your individual case and advise the most suitable course of action.

What does the procedure involve?

An incision is made in between the hips, along the base of the abdomen, typically following the pubic lining. The skin is separated carefully and excess fat and skin in between the pubic area and tummy button is discarded. If required, torn or stretched muscles will also be pulled together and stitched into place, tightening the muscles. There is no incision around the tummy button in this procedure, as takes place in a full tummy tuck procedure.

Mini tummy tucks are shorter and smaller procedures than a standard tummy tuck, usually lasting between 1 and 1 and a half hours. They can often be performed using local anaesthetic but a limit exists on the amount to be removed without general anaesthetic. The procedures offer a slightly quicker recovery and lower, more easily hidden scar than the standard procedure. This scar will also fade over the years.

How much does it cost?

mini abdominoplasty before and afterAn exact cost quote for a mini tummy tuck can usually only be obtained following a surgeon consultation, as the exact requirements in the procedure will vary for each patient. This is the case at The Private Clinic, however, the average cost of our mini tummy tuck procedures starts at £5760.

Why choose The Private Clinic?

We are proud to offer an industry leading team of the most experienced and esteemed Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in the UK for our tummy tuck procedures. This ensures you can receive the results you desire, and safely. To see more of the outstanding results our surgeons have achieved, click here for our tummy tuck before and after photos. For a first-hand account of the procedure, you may find our reviews and tummy tuck patient stories useful.

Please see below a list of our abdominoplasty surgeons;

Consultations with an experienced tummy tuck plastic surgeon are available in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

We also offer consultations with our highly knowledgeable and experienced Patient Advisors who can answer any queries you may have and provide useful advice before meeting a surgeon.

To arrange a tummy tuck consultation with one of our specialist surgeons you can do so by calling 0333 920 9135 or use our tummy tuck online contact form to arrange a call back.

Tummy Tuck for the Summer

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As summer slowly approaches now is the time that patients start to consider their surgical options to be healed in time to show off their new shape on the beach.

As we all start to take a keen interest in having a healthier lifestyle and exercising on a regular basis our bodies are almost prepped and primed for the big reveal once the plane wheels hit the tarmac. But for some, their efforts of weight loss have been brushed aside with the issue of sagging skin now being the source of their body concerns. Excessive weight loss can cause the appearance of sagging skin due to the skins laxity not being able to tighten and restore to its new shape.

Pregnancy can also cause sagging skin with many mums struggling to get their body back to its former glory.

So what can be done?

An Abdominoplasty is a common body contouring procedure that is targeted at removing excess skin from the stomach and tightening the abdominal muscles if needed too.

The procedure is carried out under a general anaesthetic and in most cases does require an overnight stay. Excess skin and fat are removed from the stomach before the belly button is lifted to a higher position with the aim of creating a smoother and tighter appearance.

In certain cases, a mini abdominoplasty may be recommended which is suitable for patients who just have an area of excess skin located between the belly button and pubic bone compared to the whole area. There is also not normally a scar around the tummy button after a mini tummy tuck procedure as the belly button is not repositioned.mini tummy tuck vs full tummy tuck

What is the recovery like?

Recovering from a tummy tuck will vary between individuals but we usually recommend patients to take between 1-3 weeks off of work depending on their job role. You will be prescribed pain killers to help reduce any pain but swelling and bruising will be present and you may find carrying out certain tasks uncomfortable such as reaching up, standing up and being upright for long periods.

The recovery time after a mini tummy tuck is slightly shorter in some cases but it should still be classed as major surgery and the appropriate post-op care will still be required.abdominoplasty tummy tuck before after photo

When can I travel after surgery?

We usually advise patients to wait 6 weeks before travelling. This allows you to heal fully and for your surgeon to see you at your 6 week appointment to give you the all clear before you go. Travelling abroad especially should ideally not be before 6 weeks as, should anything happen you may not be covered by your travel insurance and your surgeon will not be able to travel to see you.

When can I sunbathe after surgery?

Ideally, we do recommend that patients keep their scars out of the sun for the first year after surgery. Scars in these early stages are more prone to pigmentation and darkening when exposed to sunlight and UV rays.  If planning a summer beach holiday then it is important that you take care of your scar, keep it covered and protected with sun cream with limited exposure to direct sunlight.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some time spent away with many patients taking full advantage of their new shape to wear clothing they previously felt they couldn’t with a new found feeling of confidence.

mini abdominoplasty before after photo
Mini Tummy Tuck

abdo surgery tummy tuck before after patient story

Why choose The Private Clinic?

The Private Clinic sees over 15,000 new patients every year and perform over 10,000 procedures, with one of the highest patients’ satisfaction in the sector, TrustPilot 9.4, 5 star rating, 96% would recommend us to their friends and family. We are a multi award winning provider and have been voted the Aesthetic award for Best UK Clinic Group 2017.

The Private Clinic prides itself on its commitment to Medical Expertise, Patient Care and Satisfaction, Honest advice and most importantly Results. We are above all committed to Quality. Please feel free to contact us for any Tummy Tuck advice or to book a consultation with one of our expert surgeons;

Consultations are available at;

London Harley Street, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Northampton and Glasgow and at our consulting rooms in Milton Keynes.

If you would like to discuss tummy tuck options please call 03339209135 or use our tummy tuck online contact form to book a consultation with one of our surgeons or advisors.

What to expect after tummy tuck surgery

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Taking the time to recover well after your surgical procedure is one of the most important parts of ensuring that you get the best results.

A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a procedure where excess skin and fat are removed from the abdomen and in some cases the muscles within your tummy are repaired after having stretched – usually after pregnancy.

The result is a smoother and flatter tummy. The recovery after a tummy tuck however can come as a slight shock to many. It is surprising how much we use our tummy muscles to perform so many simple tasks such as sitting up and walking and it can cause some patients to feel like they have lost their independence.

However; we always try and prep our patients as much as possible and recommend that you prepare everything before your op and ensure that you have help on hand for at least the first week as you will need it.

After a tummy tuck you will be swollen and have slight pain, but you will be prescribed pain relief to help with this. You will also be given a garment that you will need to wear at all times for the first two weeks. We recommend that you book at least two weeks off work and avoid exercise and strenuous activities for 6 weeks.

Patient Story

Marie is one of our tummy tuck patient stories who after losing weight expected to feel a sense of relief and a growth in self-confidence but instead found herself feeling even worse with the excess skin on her tummy constantly reminding her of her former self. Going ahead with a tummy tuck procedure was a big decision for Marie to make as she had a feeling of guilt as the damage caused was self-induced by her past. Once Marie finally realised that she had worked hard to get where she was now and that she did deserve something that was finally going to give her the confidence that she craved she decided to go ahead with the tummy tuck procedure.
tummy tuck patient story

Now post-tummy tuck procedure Marie is back to exercising and even enjoys a spot of clothes shopping again which she previously used to dread!

“I just feel so overwhelmed to see how well it all fits. I am thoroughly enjoying my new flat-tummied life”

To find out more about Marie’s patient story see here.

Top Tips!

During Marie’s recovery, she decided to keep a diary to look back on once she had got through it. Marie has kindly shared her diary with us with the hope that it may give those going through a tummy tuck recovery period a little bit of hope!

We have picked out some of Marie’s top tips!

  1. Prepare to feel emotional – “Strangely, I felt a bit emotional and when asking a random question about having some pepper with my soup, I began to cry. The nurse said it was normal and that it was just the general anaesthetic. I did feel a little crazy as I had no idea why I was crying.”
  2. Eat a fibre rich diet and stay hydrated – “Went to the toilet today and again that was fine – stick to a high fibre diet!” – “bottled water was a big help – the ones with the sports top as I could still drink comfortably in whatever position I was in and didn’t have to worry about spilling it.”
  3. Take your medication as prescribed – “Stupidly forgot to take my painkillers and felt like rubbish! When I took them I felt much better.”
  4. Don’t do too much too soon – “I was told I could not hoover so I decided to clean the floors by hand. I couldn’t stand doing nothing and daytime TV was rubbish! I experienced no pain. What did happen though is as the day progressed I swelled like a balloon. I had to get back into bed and decided to take an anti-inflammatory. I felt really fed up and a little grumpy that my body had reacted so badly to a little work.”
  5. Prepare to feel low at times – “Today I felt a little low about my lack of mobility and dependence. I felt like I was going to be driven crazy by the fact I couldn’t walk or go outside as even walking to the toilet left me feeling tired.”
  6. Avoid comedies! – “Really pleased I invested in some box sets, although laughing hurts. My advice if you’re planning tummy tuck surgery is to stick to drama.”
  7. Stock up on pillows – “Pillows and more pillows kept me comfortable, especially during the night – keep one under your knees and one to the side of you.”
  8. Have a support system in place – “My husband had to go to work so he left me with some fruit and sandwiches for my dinner on a tray so I had everything I needed when he went to work.”

You can read Marie’s diary in full here.

Tummy Tuck Before and After photos

abdominoplasty tummy tuck before after photostummy tuck before after images

abdominoplasty before afterabdo surgery tummy tuck patient story

To see more before and after photos see here.

The Private Clinic

We are proud to offer you a team of the most experienced Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in the UK for our tummy tuck treatments;

Tummy tuck consultations are available in  London, Bristol, Birmingham, Buckinghamshire, Northampton, Leeds and Manchester.  

Free consultations are also available with our patient advisors in Milton Keynes and Glasgow where you can meet with our experienced advisors to find out more about the treatment before meeting with a surgeon.

If you would like to discuss tummy tuck options please call 03339209135 or use our tummy tuck online contact form to book a consultation with one of our surgeons or advisors.

Recovery after a tummy tuck

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Recovery after a tummy tuck is not easy, you will be sore and a lot of tasks that were almost effortless before will feel impossible. It is really important that you and the people around you are fully aware of this and most importantly that your home is kitted out to make your recovery seamless.

Straight after a tummy tuck you will may require an overnight stay in hospital so our nurses are able to monitor you. When you have been discharged you will leave with an abdominal support garment that will need to be worn for 2 weeks. You will also leave with antibiotics and pain medication to last you for next 2 weeks.

Generally we recommend that you book 2-3 weeks off work. You may feel like you are able to return to work after a week but this will really depend on the type of job you do and your commute.

We have put together some top tips with the help of some of our former abdominoplasty patients to ensure your recovery is as stress free as possible.

  • First of all, if you feel like anything may be wrong – contact your surgeon or their team as soon as possible. They should be more than happy to help you and will get you an appointment to be looked at if they feel necessary.
  • Make sure you have someone around to look after you for the first 48 to 72 hours post-surgery. It may seem silly but trust us- even the simplest of tasks like fetching a drink can seem like a marathon at this early stage and you will really appreciate the help.
  • Again, don’t feel you need to act strong – if you have been given pain medication, take it. If you are struggling away in pain this will make your body feel stressed, and stress is known to increase your healing time significantly.
  • Use your phone to set reminders of when to take each of your medications as each type may have different timings and you don’t want to miss one out!
  • Your surgeon may suggest using a cold compress on your incision/abdomen. This is a good way to reduce swelling – just make sure your surgeon has said it is okay to do this and that ice or cold compresses are not applied directly to the skin.
  • Don’t be alarmed at how bloated you may look or feel. This is totally normal – keep drinking plenty of fluids as this will not only keep you hydrated but reduce bloating too.
  • Keep a healthy appetite, the worst thing you can do is ‘not eat’. Your body is working so hard to heal itself and despite you not being as active as you would usually, you still need that energy. Even if you are feeling a little nauseous, try snacking on some crackers or plain biscuits.
  • Don’t resist the urge to sleep. If you are struggling to keep your eyes open then this is your body telling you it needs to rest. Napping is a good thing; it allows your body to focus on healing.
  • Avoid Smoking. You may have already cut down or given up smoking in the weeks leading up to your procedure but it is even more important to cut out the cigarettes post procedure as this can really interfere with your healing.
  • No excessive movements. You may have a day where you are feeling great but don’t take advantage of it. Avoid any heavy lifting and bending over until the surgeon gives you the go ahead and just don’t over-do it if you feel like venturing out.
  • Stay moving – Although we have just said ‘don’t overdo it’ at the same time it is important that you keep your blood circulation going by getting up and walking around. It will also make you feel a bit better too instead of being sat on the couch or in bed all day every day.
  • Your emotions will be all over the place after surgery so any feelings of sadness are completely normal. Your body has gone through ‘trauma’ as such so you may experience feelings of regret and un-attractiveness after seeing your scars (which will be very red in the early stages) and swollen – but just remember what your end goal is.
Read Stella’s Patient Story to find out more about recovery after a tummy tuck

Recovering from a tummy tuck does not have to be as bad as you may have heard.  Just keep to your surgeon’s guidance, wear your surgical garments as advised and attend all your post-op appointments when required and you will be in the best care.

The Private Clinic

Working with only the very best surgeons ensures that we can produce the results you want safely. We’re proud to have some of the UK’s most respected Consultant Plastic Surgeons as part of our Tummy Tuck team, in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Buckinghamshire, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Northampton and Glasgow.

To find out more about tummy tuck procedures, please get in touch via 0333 920 2471 or request a callback using our online tummy tuck contact form on our website.

Mini tummy tuck surgery FAQs with Mr Adrian Richards

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Kerry Katona has been hitting the headlines again after revealing her new look after her recent weight loss, although she was very quick to admit that liposuction and a mini tummy tuck had helped transform her look too!

Many of us I’m sure may be wondering what a mini tummy actually is which is why we contacted Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Mr Adrian Richards and asked him just that “What is a Mini Tummy Tuck?”

What is a Mini Tummy Tuck (Mini Abdominoplasty)?
A mini tummy tuck, also known as mini abdominoplasty differs from a full tummy tuck or abdominoplasty in that it only removes a portion of tissue between the area above your pubic region to the tummy button rather than the whole area of the tummy like in a full tummy tuck.mini abdominoplasty or full tummy tuck

What are the benefits of a mini tummy tuck?
The benefits are that the scar can be lower and hence more hidden in your clothes. It is also a smaller procedure compared to a full tummy tuck and the recovery is often a bit quicker too.

What is the ideal patient for a mini tummy tuck?
The ideal patient for a mini tummy tuck is someone with a lower abdominal over hang but without enough tissue to need to remove all the tissue from the tummy button down to the pubic area.

Would a patient need to lose weight before booking in for a mini tummy tuck?
The patient should ideally be at a weight that they are happy with when they have a mini tummy tuck as with all plastic surgical procedures. It is not advisable to either gain weight or lose weight prior to a plastic surgery procedure; generally plastic surgeons would insist that your BMI is at 30 or below before considering surgery. This is because it is an elective procedure and your safety is above the most important. Studies have shown that there is an increased risk of complications following surgery for people with a BMI over 30.

The other aspect is that when you lose weight following a tummy tuck some of the loose skin lasticity may come back.

Does a mini tummy tuck require a general anaesthetic or hospitalisation?
Some mini tummy tucks can be performed under local anaesthetic but there is a limit to how much can be removed without general anaesthetic. Surgery is normally performed as either a day case which means you are in and out on the same day or with a one night stay in hospital.

How long are you in surgery for a mini tummy tuck?
Mini tummy tucks tend to take between 1 and 1 and half hours compared to a full tummy tuck which takes between 2 and 3 hours.

What are the scars like following a mini tummy tuck?
The scars are on the lower part of your tummy and those on a full tummy tuck are similar. The full tummy tuck scars are slightly longer than the mini tummy tuck. The advantage of the mini tummy tuck is the scar can be lower and can be hidden easier in clothes.

A full tummy tuck will also involve a scar around the tummy button as the skin for a full tummy tuck is drawn down and stitched to the skin above your pubic area and a new tummy button is made for you.

Will the abdominal muscles need to be tightened at the time of my mini tummy tuck?
The muscles can be tightened in both mini and full tummy tucks but whether you need tightening of the muscle and the extent of muscle tightening can be determined by a discussion between you and your surgeon prior to surgery.

How long is the recovery time after a mini tummy tuck?
The recovery time is much shorter for a mini tummy tuck but it does also depend on whether you have had your muscles repaired or not. As a guide, if you have had your muscles repaired you will not be able to drive for 2 weeks whereas if you haven’t had your muscles repaired many people can return to driving after 1 week.

How long until results can be seen after a mini tummy tuck?
You will see the results immediately following surgery but there will inevitably be some swelling and likely bruising so it will take up to three months for you to be able see the final result.

How long do the results last after a mini tummy tuck?
The results of a tummy tuck either mini or full are considered relatively permanent unless you have extensive weight gain or become pregnant. In these situations the skin and tummy muscles will be stretched and this is not ideally recommended after a tummy tuck.

How would a future pregnancy affect the mini tummy tuck?
It is generally not recommended to become pregnant after a mini abdominoplasty as the stretching of the skin and muscle layer can cause recurrent excess skin in the lower abdomen. People have however become pregnant inadvertently following a mini abdominoplasty and have had no significant adverse effect as a result.

Is there an alternative to a mini tummy tuck?
There are many types of mini abdominoplasty and an alternative would be a scar revision. In a scar revision the scar itself is removed without a mini abdominoplasty being performed. This is often used for tissue overhanging a caesarean scar. Caesarean scars tend to become slightly tethered to the underlying muscles when they heal causing an overlap of the tissue above them. A scar revision is often classified as a mini mini abdominoplasty.

mini abdominoplasty before and after photos

The Private Clinic
We are proud to offer you a team of the most experienced Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in the UK for our tummy tuck treatments available in London, London City, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow, Buckinghamshire and Northampton.

Free consultations are also available with our patient advisors in Milton Keynes and Glasgow where you can meet with our experienced advisors to find out more about the treatment before meeting with a surgeon.

If you would like to discuss tummy tuck options please call 03339209135 or use our tummy tuck online contact form to book a consultation with one of our surgeons or advisors.

Tummy Tuck after a Caesarean Section

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Having a caesarean section, or c-section, may have not been in your original birthing plan but when it comes to delivering your baby safely, you’ll do anything to ensure that happens.

blog-tummy-tuck-after-c-section-surgery-the-private-clinicDuring a caesarean, layers of your tissue and muscle in your tummy are cut so that the surgeon can access your womb. This can cause scar tissue to form and the skin on your stomach to sag and no amount of exercise seems to be helping you tone back up so there is no surprise that we get a number of enquiries about tummy tucks for post c-section mums.

It may appear that women, especially celebrities are back to normal life straight after pregnancy and having a c-section but recovering from a c-section in preparation for a tummy tuck is something that can’t be rushed.

What can a tummy tuck do?

A tummy tuck or an abdominoplasty can provide many benefits to those who are healthy and have recovered fully after her pregnancy and a caesarean section.

A tummy tuck procedure involves removing excess skin and fat to flatten the tummy, however during a tummy tuck you can also ask your surgeon if they are able to repair your rectus abdominis muscles which many have separated during pregnancy.

If you do have a separated rectus abdominis muscle then the procedure will be able to tone and strengthen your tummy and waist again as well as removing  the c-section scar and any stretch marks.

How soon?blog-tummy-tuck-after-c-section-baby-feet-the-private-clinic

We recommend waiting at least 6 months after a c-section before considering surgery as this will give your c-section scar enough time to heal, any swelling to go and your body to return to its pre-pregnancy state before further surgery is carried out. It may also be beneficial for both you and your child that you wait until they are a little older as a tummy tuck is still major surgery and the downtime means you may find tasks like lifting difficult and struggle to keep up with the demands of a new baby.

It is also best to be at your ideal weight before you book in for a tummy tuck as keeping at a stable weight before and after the procedure will ensure that the results last.  It can be challenging to lose weight whilst breast feeding so we would also recommend waiting until you are no longer doing this as any medications taken during surgery could also have negative effects on your baby.

Another factor to consider is if you are likely to continue having children, in order to get the best results it is probably better if you were to wait until you have no more plans for future children.

What about the c-tuck?

When doing your research about a tummy tuck after a c-section, you may have seen the term ‘c-tuck’ appearing which is where the tummy tuck is performed at the same time as the c-section.

Although seemingly a great idea, in respect of everything mentioned above we would not recommend this at all.  Your body changes so much during pregnancy, your skin and muscles are stretched now but they will contract back down on their own meaning that the type of tummy tuck procedure you require may be different in a few months’ time.

A c-section is a major operation in itself and you will need to take the time out to recover. Having another operation on top of that is not only going to add to the risks and complications but it is also going to affect your recovery time when you should be focusing your time and efforts on caring for your newborn.

So although it may be tempting to rush into getting your pre-pregnancy body back, for the first year at least we suggest focusing your time on your child and instead exercising to ensure your body is in the best condition for surgery and of course always make sure to do your research.

abdominoplasty before after mr adrian richards

The Private Clinic
Working with only the very best surgeons ensures that we can produce the results you want safely. We’re proud to have some of the UK’s most respected doctors as part of our Tummy Tuck team, including:

Tummy tuck consultations are available in London, Birmingham, Northampton, Leeds and Manchester.

If you would like to discuss tummy tuck options please call 03339209135 or use our tummy tuck online contact form to book a consultation with one of our surgeons or advisors.