Abdominoplasty is a procedure that addresses three distinct concerns in one operation: excess skin, localised fat and weakened or separated abdominal muscles. It works by removing a carefully planned area of redundant skin and fat from the lower abdomen, repairing the rectus abdominis muscles where they have separated (a condition known as diastasis recti), and repositioning the remaining skin to create a smoother, flatter abdominal contour.
The procedure is particularly effective for patients who have experienced significant skin laxity following pregnancy or major weight loss, a protruding or rounded abdomen caused by muscle separation, stubborn lower abdominal fat that has not responded to lifestyle changes, or loose, overhanging skin in the lower abdomen that causes discomfort or hygiene concerns.
Liposuction is frequently incorporated alongside abdominoplasty to refine the flanks and waist, creating a more comprehensive and harmonious result.
The best candidates for abdominoplasty have completed their family, as future pregnancies can reverse the results of surgery, and are at or near a stable, healthy weight, ideally within 10 to 15 pounds of their target. Good candidates have excess skin, muscle separation or localised fat in the abdominal area that has not responded to conservative measures, are in good general health, free from conditions that would impair healing, and are non-smokers, or committed to stopping well in advance of surgery. Realistic expectations and an understanding of the nature and placement of the surgical scar are also important.
Mr Sadideen discusses candidacy candidly during consultation. Where weight loss prior to surgery would meaningfully improve outcomes, he will advise accordingly.
The standard abdominoplasty involves a horizontal incision placed low across the abdomen, typically within the bikini line, extending from hip to hip. A second small incision is made around the navel to reposition it correctly within the new abdominal contour. Excess skin is removed, the muscle wall is repaired with internal sutures, and the remaining skin is redraped and closed with meticulous layered suturing.
Where only the lower abdomen is a concern, a mini abdominoplasty using a shorter incision may be appropriate for carefully selected patients. Mr Sadideen will advise which approach is best suited to your anatomy during consultation.
The resulting scar runs horizontally across the lower abdomen and is designed to sit below the waistline of underwear and swimwear. Scar appearance varies between individuals based on skin type, genetics and adherence to aftercare, but typically fades and flattens significantly over twelve to eighteen months. A comprehensive scar care protocol is provided as part of your recovery plan.
Mr Hazim Sadideen is a board-certified and FRCS-qualified consultant plastic surgeon specialising in aesthetic, reconstructive and regenerative plastic surgery. His approach is grounded in clinical evidence, meticulous surgical technique and personalised planning.
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Abdominoplasty involves a more involved recovery than many other body contouring procedures, and planning ahead is important. Patients can generally expect a hospital stay of one night in most cases, with moderate discomfort and tightness in the abdomen for the first one to two weeks, managed with prescribed medication. A slightly stooped posture in the early days, as the repaired muscle wall settles, resolves gradually. Most patients return to desk-based work at two to four weeks, wear compression garments for six to eight weeks to support healing and contour, and avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and core-intensive activity for six weeks. Final results become visible at six to twelve months once swelling has fully resolved and the scar has matured.
Manual lymphatic drainage is recommended post-operatively to support swelling reduction and tissue healing.
Abdominoplasty is a significant surgical procedure and carries inherent risks that are discussed openly during consultation. These include scarring and scar widening, seroma (fluid accumulation under the skin), infection or wound healing complications, changes in skin sensation particularly in the lower abdomen, asymmetry or contour irregularities, and deep vein thrombosis, the risk of which is minimised through careful patient selection, compression stockings and early mobilisation.
Mr Sadideen’s thorough preoperative assessment, precise surgical technique and structured aftercare programme are all designed to minimise these risks and support a safe, smooth recovery.
Abdominoplasty is frequently performed as part of a broader body contouring plan. Liposuction may be combined to refine the flanks, waist and upper abdomen alongside skin removal, creating a more sculpted overall result. Abdominoplasty combined with breast augmentation, uplift or reduction is a common combination, often referred to as a mummy makeover. For patients with significant vertical and horizontal skin excess, a modified fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty incorporating both horizontal and vertical incisions may be most appropriate, and where an existing caesarean scar is present, it can often be incorporated into or improved by the tummy tuck incision.
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