Published on 14 February, 2022 Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery is a very popular procedure before major events, such as weddings and milestone birthdays. It’s an exciting period and a tummy tuck can provide both functional and aesthetic changes.So you’ve decided to have an abdominoplasty – what next?At the risk of dampening the excitement of the moment – planning and research is paramount! EAbdominoplasty surgery should only be performed by a qualified plastic surgeon EVisit the RACS website or Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons to confirm your surgeon’s credentials EPlan ahead to avoid disappointment. EWaiting periods can range from 6-12 months depending on the time of year to see a plastic surgeon in Brisbane who performs lots of abdominal surgery EDo your research; check their qualifications, view their websites, and if you feel comfortable, talk to friends for recommendations – you might be surprised how many people have had tummy tuck surgery! EBefore and after photos are important, so view yours shortlisted surgeons' galleries Some of the most experienced plastic surgeons in Australia have the least-glossy social media accounts, so don’t always believe the hype. EAsk lots of questions at your pre operative initial consult; the surgeon should answer them in detail, and in plain terms.Pictured: before and 3 months after abdominoplasty and breast augmentation surgery with Dr Sharp.Some things to consider if you are planning a tummy tuckDr Sharp recommends having this procedure at least 6 months before a big life event, if possible. In most cases, he doesn’t perform this procedure within 6 months of a milestone, such as a wedding – or 12 months performing in a sports event/competition. The reasons for this are:The deeper swelling involved with a tummy tuck can vary from patient to patient but in some cases, can still be visible up to 6 months. During an active or busy period, increased blood pressure etc can cause parts of the abdomen that are still healing to swell up, and take a few days of light activity (and compression garment when sleeping) to subside. It can be very distressing if the patient is unlucky enough to develop recurrent swelling just before the special event.Despite being rare, complications do occur sometimes after abdominoplasty surgery. Recovery from serious complications can take 6-24 months and during this time normal activities can be impacted by issues such as scar tightness. Although it is very rare, the risk of this occurring before a special event compounds the stress and disappointment caused.For most patients, the above aspects aren’t a problem at all by 4-6 months post surgery, but unfortunately we aren’t able to predict who will have a speedy recovery, and who won’t, so we err on the side of caution. Like all big life decisions, planning ahead is key to success!Want to find out more about abdominoplasty surgery pricing, recovery and results?Enquire with our helpful team here… Name Email Address Message 5 + 11 = Submit
