Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Abdominoplasty, also known as a “tummy tuck” (abdominoplasty), is an operation that aims to improve the shape and tone of the abdominal region by removing excess skin and fatty tissue and tightening the underlying abdominal wall muscles in appropriately selected patients.

Ageing, pregnancy and changes in weight can stretch the skin and muscles of the abdomen, which may lead to persistent changes in abdominal contour that some people find undesirable, even after attempts at diet and exercise.

This procedure may be considered for suitably assessed adults where excess fat, sagging skin and separated abdominal muscles have not improved with non-surgical measures such as diet, exercise and weight optimisation, and where the potential benefits of surgery outweigh the risks for that individual.

Abdominoplasty is often combined with liposuction (liposuctioning) to further refine abdominal contour by removing selected areas of fatty tissue; in some cases this can also help to improve the transition to adjacent areas such as the hips and upper thighs.

Surgical techniques for abdominoplasty have evolved over time and there are now several recognised approaches; the choice of technique, scar placement and the extent of tissue tightening will depend on the patient’s anatomy, medical history, pattern of skin stretch, degree of muscle separation and overall abdominal contour concerns, as well as a comprehensive pre‑operative assessment and discussion of goals, risks and limitations with the surgeon.

All cosmetic surgery, including abdominoplasty, is invasive and carries risks such as bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, seroma (fluid collection), blood clots, unfavourable scarring, numbness or altered sensation, need for revision surgery and anaesthetic risks; individual risk will vary and will be discussed in detail as part of the consent process.

Recovery after abdominoplasty usually involves a period of reduced activity, time off work and temporary limitations on lifting and exercise; not all patients recover at the same rate and your specific recovery plan, including the use of garments or other post‑operative measures where indicated, will be tailored to you and explained before surgery.

Results of abdominoplasty vary between individuals and depend on many factors including anatomy, skin quality, healing, weight stability, lifestyle and adherence to post‑operative instructions; photographs and descriptions of other patients’ outcomes are not a guarantee of your own result.

If you would like to view examples of body surgery results, including abdominoplasty, you can see a gallery of before and after images that are provided for general information only; these images relate to specific patients, show their individual outcomes and should not be interpreted as indicative of the result that any other person will experience.

View body surgery images

For further information about abdominoplasty, including general discussion of procedure types, potential side effects, risks, costs and recovery, you can read additional educational content on our website; this information is not a substitute for a personalised consultation and does not constitute individual medical advice.

What can abdominoplasty help with?

Abdominoplasty may be suitable for women and men who are adults, in reasonable general health, have been assessed as psychologically and medically appropriate candidates, and are close to a stable, healthy weight; a full assessment is required to determine whether this surgery is appropriate for you.

Depending on the individual situation, abdominoplasty may be considered for cosmetic and reconstructive reasons, including the following potential aims in selected patients:

• To improve abdominal contour and create a more typical or smoother appearance of the abdomen in the presence of excess or overhanging skin and soft tissue.
• To address separation of the rectus (six‑pack) muscles where this is contributing to abdominal wall laxity or bulging, through surgical repair of muscle separation (rectus diastasis) when clinically appropriate.
• To remove a large overhanging fold or “apron” of abdominal tissue (apronectomy) that may be associated with chronic skin irritation, rashes, infections, hygiene difficulties or problems with physical activity, after appropriate non‑surgical treatments have been tried.
• To assist in improving abdominal wall support in selected patients who have associated conditions such as an abdominal or umbilical hernia, where abdominoplasty is combined with hernia repair in consultation with the relevant surgical team.
• To support functional improvements such as posture, mobility and the ability to exercise in some patients; any potential benefits of surgery for issues such as lower back discomfort or urinary symptoms will vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed.

Abdominoplasty is not a weight‑loss procedure and is not a substitute for lifestyle measures; maintaining a balanced diet, regular physical activity and a stable weight remain important both before and after surgery.

A detailed consultation process, including discussion of alternative options, psychological screening where required, explanation of risks and benefits and a mandatory cooling‑off period, is part of the current regulatory framework for cosmetic surgery in Australia and helps support informed decision‑making.

About your surgeon

This procedure is performed by Dr Mohammad Hassan Mohaghegh, MD, MPhil, FRACS (Plast), registered medical practitioner and specialist plastic surgeon (specialist registration in Surgery – Plastic Surgery), AHPRA registration number MED0001627149.

Practice details:

• Website: drmohaghegh.com.au
• Phone: 1300 074 466
• Email: hello@drmohaghegh.com.au
• Address: Shop 1/161 New South Head Rd, Edgecliff, NSW 2027

The information on this page is general in nature and does not take into account your personal medical circumstances; a consultation with Dr Mohaghegh is required to determine whether abdominoplasty is appropriate for you, to discuss potential risks and benefits in your case, and to review alternative options.