Tummy Tuck in Marylebone, London

The most common form of abdominoplasty surgery is performed under general anaesthetic. A horizontal incision is made along the upper pubic region, from hip to hip, and around the belly button. The skin is lifted and the underlying muscles tightened; excess and overhanging skin is removed and the belly button repositioned. Mr Khoda will then restitch your skin for a tighter outcome and a sleeker, more svelte contour.

Abdominoplasty takes 2-4 hours, depending on the extent of surgery. If combined with other procedures such as liposuction, the overall surgery time will naturally be extended.

After surgery, your will have protective tapes covering the incisions and a dressing over your belly button. You can shower with care after 48 hours, making sure to dry the tape with a hairdryer on a medium setting if it gets wet. You will need to wear a support garment for 6 weeks.

Mr Khoda will advise you to stoop slightly when walking the first 7-14 days, in order to avoid stretching the wounds and to allow the muscles and skin to heal. Most patients take about 3 weeks off work, and any kind of heavy lifting or intensive activity must be avoided for 6 weeks. Driving should be avoided until you are able to safely perform an emergency stop.

If you were recently pregnant or plan to have more children in the future, Mr Khoda might advise you to postpone having an abdominoplasty. Similarly, if you are planning to lose weight or are currently overweight, postponement might be recommended until weight can be reduced.

All surgeries can lead to complications, but Mr Khoda works in a safe and consistent manner to minimise any risks. He uses the non-touch technique, avoiding skin contact with any part of the wound or any substance or surface that will come into contact with the wound, such as the inner surface of dressings. The most common complications with surgery are bleeding, haematomas, infection, numbness, and the need to return to theatre for further procedures. Surgery also presents a risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Specific risks related to this surgery include slow healing, infection, bleeding, unsightly scarring, asymmetry, problems with the belly button, pain, numbness or sensitivity in the skin, skin contour irregularities, fluid build-up, clots in the legs and lungs, and persistent puckering at the ends of the scar.