Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) on the Sunshine Coast QLD to remove excess abdominal skin, tighten the rectus abdominis muscle wall, and restore a flat, contoured abdominal profile following pregnancy, significant weight loss, or natural ageing. Full, mini, and extended abdominoplasty options are available. Commonly combined with liposuction for comprehensive body contouring. Performed under general anaesthesia by a FRACS-qualified plastic surgeon.

Abdominoplasty at Sunshine Coast Plastic Surgery addresses the three core components of abdominal laxity that cannot be corrected through exercise or diet alone: excess, redundant skin (particularly the skin overhanging the lower abdomen after pregnancy or major weight loss); stretched or separated rectus abdominis muscles (diastasis recti — a condition affecting the majority of women post-partum and common after bariatric surgery); and localised subcutaneous abdominal fat deposits. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia with the patient positioned supine, and the operative time is typically two to two-and-a-half hours for a standard full abdominoplasty. A horizontal incision is placed low in the pubic region — within the swimwear line where possible — through which the abdominal skin flap is elevated, the rectus muscles are plicated (sutured together in the midline to restore a tighter abdominal wall), and the excess skin is excised. The umbilicus (navel) is repositioned to a natural anatomical position in the new abdominal skin as it is inset through a separate small incision. A mini abdominoplasty — suited to patients with isolated lower abdominal skin laxity without significant diastasis or upper abdominal concerns — involves a shorter incision and does not reposition the umbilicus, with a faster recovery. Extended abdominoplasty addresses patients with laxity wrapping around the flanks following massive weight loss and combines the standard technique with lateral thigh and flank skin tightening. Liposuction of the flanks, outer thighs, or adjacent areas is frequently performed at the same operative session to optimise overall body contour. Recovery following full abdominoplasty involves six weeks of activity restriction, with patients advised to walk hunched slightly forward for the first one to two weeks to reduce tension on the incision line, and typically two to three weeks before return to sedentary work. Patients across Queensland and the Sunshine Coast frequently pursue abdominoplasty as part of a post-pregnancy or post-weight-loss body restoration journey.