Tummy Tuck Sydney NSW

You may be a candidate for abdominoplasty if:

• You are physically and mentally healthy
• You have realistic expectations regarding what surgery can achieve
• You have a loose, sagging or protruding abdomen
• You have weakened or separated abdominal muscles
• You have mild excess fat in the abdominal area that is resistant to diet and exercise
• You are unhappy with the appearance of your abdomen
• You have maintained your goal weight for at least six months
• You do not smoke or are willing to stop smoking in the months before and after surgery

Before your abdominoplasty procedure, Dr Laniewski will provide you with a comprehensive list of pre-operative instructions. This will include things like quitting smoking, adjusting medications and preparing a comfortable recovery space.

Smokers will need to stop smoking several weeks prior to surgery. It’s also important to refrain from smoking for several weeks after surgery. Smoking can result in complications during the surgery, and it can also slow down the healing phase.

You will need to tell Dr Laniewski if you routinely take any medications, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter supplements. You just may be surprised at some of the adverse reactions that are possible from taking herbal supplements or even aspirin.

Dr Laniewski will also provide instructions regarding what to do the day before your procedure, such as fasting, showering and what to wear to the hospital. You should follow these instructions carefully to ensure your safety during the procedure.

While Medicare will not cover an abdominoplasty performed for cosmetic reasons, you may be eligible for a rebate if you meet specific medical criteria. To receive this, you must demonstrate that:

• You have lost significant amounts of weight (at least 5 BMI points or around 15kgs) and have maintained a stable weight for at least six months
• You have large amounts of excess skin that are interfering with daily living
• You have tried non-surgical treatments to treat skin irritation caused by excess skin without success
• You have a hernia that can be documented in an ultrasound

If you’d like to learn more about whether you may be eligible for a rebate, please get in touch with the clinic.

During your tummy tuck surgery, you will not feel anything, thanks to the general anaesthetic administered before the procedure. When you wake up after the procedure, you may experience some pain in the surgical area. However, Dr Laniewski will prescribe pain medication to help with this, and many patients find that they need just over-the-counter pain relievers after the first few postoperative days.

Abdominoplasty surgery at Dr Laniewski clinic in Sydney usually takes between two to three hours to complete, depending on the complexity of the case. Once you are out of surgery, you may need to stay in hospital for two to three nights so that we can monitor your condition during your initial healing.

While abdominoplasty results are permanent, changes to the body afterwards can have a negative impact on your results. For instance, future weight fluctuations can cause the remaining abdominal skin to lose elasticity and begin to sag once more. Pregnancy can also cause further sagging and damage to the abdominal muscles.

To ensure that your abdominoplasty results are long-lasting, you should be at a healthy, stable weight prior to surgery. For female patients, you should ideally wait until you have finished having children to consider surgery.

Depending on your overall health and aesthetic goals, you may be able to combine your tummy tuck with additional cosmetic procedures. For example, you may choose to add liposuction to your procedure to reduce excess pockets of fat.

Many women who wish to restore their bodies after pregnancy choose to combine their abdominoplasty with breast surgery, commonly known as a ‘Mummy Makeover’. Combining procedures can create a more dramatic result and can minimise costs and recovery times. If you are interested in combining procedures, please discuss this with Dr Laniewski during a consultation.

Abdominoplasty and liposuction both aim to change the appearance of the midsection, however they are two completely different procedures. Liposuction is designed to remove stubborn fat deposits and improve the body’s contour. On the other hand, a tummy tuck is a far more complex surgical procedure designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, as well as to repair separated abdominal muscles. If you aren’t sure which procedure is best suited to your goals, please schedule a consultation with Dr Laniewski.

For his female patients, Dr Laniewski typically advises that you wait until you have finished having children before considering tummy tuck surgery. To give your body time to recover from the changes of pregnancy, you should wait at least a year after having your last child.

If you are a weight loss patient, the best time to have an abdominoplasty is once you have reached your goal weight and have maintained that for at least six months. If you believe that you are ready for a tummy tuck, please get in touch today.

Yes. Abdominoplasty is a major surgical procedure, and as such, is always performed under general anaesthesia. This means that, during the procedure, you will be fully asleep, with no sensation of discomfort during surgery and no recollection of what happened during surgery when you wake up. General anaesthesia is regarded as the safest and most comfortable option when performing an abdominoplasty.

As you heal from your abdominoplasty surgery, you will need to avoid any strenuous physical activities. A general guideline of when you can resume exercise may look like this:

• Immediately after surgery: We encourage you to begin some light walking to improve circulation and prevent blood clots.
• Three to four weeks after surgery: You may start some light exercise, such as walking and cycling.
• Four to six weeks after surgery: You can resume most exercise, with the exception of heaving lifting and contact sports. Ensure to take it slow.
• Six to 12 weeks: You can resume weight training and contact sports, pending Dr Laniewski’s clearance.

Following your abdominoplasty surgery, expect to take at least two weeks off from work. Most patients can return to desk work within ten to fifteen days, however, occupations that require strenuous movement and lifting may require anywhere from two to six weeks off. Dr Laniewski will discuss how much time you may need to take off during your initial consultation.

There is, of course, a small risk with any surgical procedure. This is why we encourage you to share your complete medical history with us prior to your abdominoplasty. We will take all possible steps needed to keep you healthy and strong during your surgery.

There is also a very small risk of postoperative complications. However, you will be monitored during your hospital stay to ensure that your recovery from the tummy tuck goes as smoothly as is possible.

Occasionally, bleeding can occur directly after the operation. Your surgeon will correct this both in the operating theatre and during recovery if needed. As with any surgery, there is also the risk of infection. Your doctor and team will be able to provide you with the recovery assistance that you will need.

Some of the other potential complications associated with tummy tuck surgery may include:

• Pain and discomfort
• Haematoma
• Visible and prominent scarring
• Numbness
• Constrained movement
• Fluid accumulation
• Blood clots
• Skin discolouration
• Changes in skin sensation
• Poor wound healing

If you notice anything amiss following your tummy tuck surgery, please get in touch with Dr Laniewski immediately.