Abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a reconstructive surgical procedure to repair separated abdominal muscles and remove loose skin. This can be particularly helpful after pregnancy or significant weight loss.
Dr O’Mahony understands how these changes can affect both your comfort and confidence, and she’s here to help you explore whether this procedure might be suitable for you.
For some women after pregnancy, diet and exercise alone may not be enough to address the changes to the abdominal muscles and skin that occurred during pregnancy. The separation of the abdominal muscles (known as a ‘divarication’) can lead to back pain or discomfort due to loss of core stability, contribute to pelvic floor issues, and leave persistent loose skin and a rounded belly that can be mistaken for another pregnancy.
This can be very disheartening.
Abdominoplasty can help repair the muscle separation and remove the excess skin.
This procedure may be suitable for you if you’re in good health and have a separation of the rectus abdominus muscles (the ‘six pack’ muscles) and/or significant excess skin.
If the surgery is following pregnancy, you should have completed your family and your youngest child should be over 12 months old.
It’s important to understand that abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure.
The best results and lowest complication rates occur in women who are in a healthy weight range.
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthetic in a hospital setting.
Dr O’Mahony will discuss all aspects of the procedure with you during your consultation.
Recovery varies depending on the extent of the procedure.
Dr O’Mahony will discuss what to expect during your consultation and provide detailed recovery instructions.
How does pregnancy affect the abdominal muscles?
During pregnancy, all layers of the abdominal wall stretch, but particularly the rectus abdominus muscles (the ‘six pack’ muscles) that run up and down the centre of your abdomen.
This separation is called a ‘divarication’.
With time and targeted exercises, this separation can sometimes be reduced, but in many women – particularly those with large or multiple pregnancies or a short torso – the stretch has been so significant that the separation cannot be fully corrected without surgery.
Medicare recognises abdominoplasty to repair muscle separation and skin excess after pregnancy as a reconstructive procedure under certain criteria.
These include: a rectus divarication of at least 3cm (measured by imaging such as ultrasound), pain or discomfort at the site of the muscle separation, lower back pain or urinary symptoms, and failed non-surgical treatment such as physiotherapy.
Additionally, 12 months must have passed since your last pregnancy.
Abdominoplasty after large weight loss may also be recognised by Medicare in certain circumstances.
Dr O’Mahony can assess your eligibility after examining you. Her office will provide a written quote including any relevant Medicare item numbers. You’ll need to confirm with your health fund whether these item numbers are covered by your policy.
Dr O’Mahony understands that considering abdominoplasty can feel like a significant decision.
She maintains a welcoming, caring atmosphere and will take the time to ensure you feel completely informed and comfortable.
She believes it’s important for you to have sufficient time to make an informed decision, and she’ll consult with you as many times as you need before proceeding with surgery.
