Abdominoplasty or “tummy tuck” is a cosmetic surgery procedure used to make the abdomen thinner and more firm. The surgery involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. It can be confusing looking for accurate information on the internet, that is why Safety in Beauty only turn to qualified medical professionals when discussing technical surgeries.
This week we welcome insight from Fulvio Urso-Baiarda from Eterno is a plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon. He works with an NHS and private practice in Berkshire and is a leading authority on plastic surgery and a sought after public speaker. He has recently opened a private practice on Harley Street.
As more and more people are considering cosmetic surgery, Fulvio is making it his mission to offer safe, sound advice and raise awareness of the dangers involved with some ‘one size fits all’ procedures.
Below, Fulvio explains five things to look out for when considering abdominoplasty:
1) Qualifications
As with any surgery, check your surgeon’s qualifications. It’s quick, free and easy to do! Google ‘GMC LRMP’ and check your surgeon IS on the List of Registered Medical Practitioners (i.e. they can legally practice as a doctor in the UK), that they are on the Specialist Register for something relevant (i.e. they are recognised as a specialist plastic surgeon) and not for something irrelevant (e.g. ear surgery or general practice).
2) Photos
Ask to see representative photos of a patient with a similar body to yours, and make sure you like what you see. If not, get another opinion.
3) Get lots of opinions
On that note – it’s worth having more than one consultation with different surgeons to compare their past results, to see if they suggest the same surgery in your case, and to explore differences if not.
But as most surgeons charge for a full consultation that can become expensive. However – many surgeons offer free short information-finding consultations, so ask about these. Although brief, it should give you enough time to decide on whether that surgeon is for you, without breaking the bank. You can then book into a full consultation once you’ve made your decision.
4) Details of the surgery
There are different scar lengths and patterns for different kinds of tummy tuck; ask your surgeon which is best for you and why. Some patients can get away with a short scar not much longer than a Caesarian section, whereas others need a longer scar plus a second around the belly button. A few also need a scar in the midline, creating an upside-down T shaped scar.
Ask if your surgeon offers liposuction with tummy tuck and how they decide who should have it. If you need a scar around your belly button (most patients do), ask about how well that scar is hidden so you can show off in a bikini afterwards (happy to provide diagrams plus photos).
Finally, check if you need your tummy muscles brought together and whether this would be included. This can be the single most effective maneuver in a tummy tuck! If your tummy bulges when you stand up, especially since you’ve had children, and you always feel like you need to ‘suck in’ then a tummy tuck can fix that for you by bringing the muscles back to where they should be.
5) Avoiding complications
There are some avoidable complications which you might particularly want to ask about. Check they have a strategy for avoiding A Mighty Mons, An Uncovered Urethra or The Dreaded Dog Ear. If they don’t sound convincing it might be worth getting another opinion.
Ask about the aftercare and whether it is included in the total cost, how long it will take to get back to work, whether you will need to wear a supportive garment afterwards and for how long.
With kind thanks to surgeon
Fulvio Urso Baiarda
www.eternoplasticsurgery.com