Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Dr. Mark Mandell-Brown performs tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) to address excess lower abdominal skin, subcutaneous fat, and rectus muscle separation (diastasis recti) that cannot be corrected through diet and exercise alone. The procedure is particularly sought by patients following significant weight loss or multiple pregnancies. Full abdominoplasty combines lower abdominal skin excision with surgical repair of the rectus diastasis and repositioning of the umbilicus. Mini-abdominoplasty is available for patients with concerns confined to the area below the navel with good abdominal muscle tone. Tummy tuck is frequently combined with liposuction of the flanks and back for comprehensive lower torso contouring.

Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) performed by Dr. Mark Mandell-Brown addresses the combination of changes to the lower abdominal skin envelope and the underlying abdominal wall musculature that commonly follows pregnancy, significant weight loss, or ageing — changes that no amount of exercise or dietary modification can reverse because they involve tissue excess and structural separation rather than fat accumulation. Full abdominoplasty begins with a low, horizontally placed incision extending between the hip bones within the natural bikini line, allowing removal of the excess skin and subcutaneous tissue of the lower abdomen between the incision and the umbilicus. The umbilicus is preserved on its own stalk, detached from the surrounding skin, and then re-exteriorised through a new opening in the repositioned upper abdominal skin flap. A critical component of the procedure is rectus diastasis repair: the paired rectus abdominis muscles, which separated along their midline juncture (linea alba) during pregnancy or with weight fluctuation, are drawn back together with a series of permanent sutures running from the xiphoid process to the pubic symphysis. This plications restores abdominal wall tension, flattens the abdominal profile, and improves core structural integrity — a functional improvement as well as an aesthetic one. Liposuction of the flanks, lateral hips, and back is frequently performed in combination with abdominoplasty to address the full lower torso rather than the anterior abdomen alone, creating a more circumferential contour improvement. Mini-abdominoplasty — a shorter procedure using a shorter incision — is appropriate for patients whose concerns are limited to the lower abdominal area below the navel with no significant skin excess above it and no umbilical repositioning requirement. Recovery from full abdominoplasty typically involves two to three weeks of restricted activity, with final results visible at three to six months as residual swelling resolves.