Male Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Sydney

Male Abdominoplasty FAQs

What happens at the first consultation?

At your first male abdominoplasty consultation with Dr Norris, your specific concerns will be discussed, and he will want to know more about what you hope to achieve with this procedure.

Dr Norris will assess the amount of excess skin and fat you have, the elasticity of your skin, and the state of your abdominal muscles. He will also need to check for hernia and evaluate any past surgical scars. You may require a full abdominoplasty, lower abdominoplasty, or mini-abdominoplasty, depending on the appearance of your abdomen. Dr Norris will discuss in detail how the male abdominoplasty operation is performed and where the incision will be placed. You will be provided with a surgical quotation, which will outline surgery options.

If, after careful consideration, you decide that you would like to proceed with the surgery, a second consultation will need to be scheduled. During this consultation, a date will be set for the procedure, and Dr Norris will explain how you should prepare for the surgery and what you can expect afterwards.

How much does a male abdominoplasty cost in Sydney?

Male abdominoplasty is a personalised procedure, and every patient has different requirements – different factors will need to be considered before a final cost can be obtained. The type of abdominoplasty you choose and whether or not you decide to add additional procedures will all make a difference to the overall cost. Hospital and anaesthetist fees will also need to be added to your quotation. The only way to get an accurate surgery cost is to schedule a consultation with Dr Norris, who can take all of the necessary factors into account. The only time that Medicare or your private health insurance provider will cover some of the costs of a male abdominoplasty is if it’s performed for reconstructive reasons. Dr Norris can explain more about rebates during your first consultation.

How is the surgery performed?

Dr Norris only performs male abdominoplasty in a fully accredited hospital. On the day of the procedure, you will meet with Dr Norris and the anaesthetist who will administer your general anaesthetic. The entire procedure generally takes 3 – 4 hours to complete.

If you are having a full abdominoplasty, the incision required (and the scar that subsequently forms) will need to be across the lower abdomen at the level of your pubic bone and extend upwards and outwards on either side to your hip bones. The skin is lifted from the abdominal muscles towards the rib cage. The belly button (umbilicus) is released from the lifted skin but remains attached to the abdominal muscles. The abdominal muscles are tightened. The lifted skin is then pulled down firmly to remove excess skin and fat, and the umbilicus is stitched into its new position.

If you are having a lower male abdominoplasty, the incision may still need to be as long as the one for a full abdominoplasty, but the skin is lifted off the abdominal muscles only to the level of the umbilicus. The umbilicus won’t need to be separated from the lifted skin and stitched back into a new position. If you are having a mini-abdominoplasty, it might be possible to limit the incision and scar to the width of your pubic area, and the umbilicus will not need to be moved. With all types of male abdominoplasty, adding liposuction can help further remove excess fat.

At the end of the operation, two drains are placed beneath the skin, and the incisions are closed with absorbable sutures to save you the inconvenience of having them removed later on. A dressing is applied over the incisions, and you will leave the operating theatre wearing a comfortable and supportive compression garment.

What happens after the surgery?

• Most patients will need to spend at least 3 – 5 days in the hospital to recover after a male abdominoplasty procedure.
• If your drains are not removed in the hospital, they will be removed in Dr Norris’s rooms at your next appointment.
• Your range of movement will be limited, and the anaesthesia might make you drowsy, so you will need a friend or family member to drive you home once you are discharged.
• Dr Norris will provide a list of aftercare instructions and a pain medication prescription.
• You cannot drive for up to 2 weeks, so it’s best to arrange for someone to assist you before surgery.
• Daily short showers are permitted, provided your waterproof dressings are dried adequately.
• For at least six weeks, patients are advised to sleep on their backs, propped up by pillows. This will make comfortable sleep possible, and it will reduce swelling.
• Most pain and discomfort are experienced during the first three days after surgery but can be managed with pain medication.
• Patients can return to work after two weeks but may want to stick to lighter duties for three weeks if their job is physically demanding.
• Swelling can take up to 6 weeks to settle, but wearing the necessary compression garment will help.
• Light exercise can be resumed after two weeks, but your regular exercise routine should be avoided for at least six weeks.
• You will have a follow-up appointment after being discharged from the hospital to check and change your dressings.

Possible complications

• Keloid Scarring – In some instances, abdominoplasty scars can begin to look raised, lumpy and darker in colour. If this happens after surgery, Dr Norris can treat the scars with steroid injections. Wearing your supplied silicone gel strips after surgery 24/7 will help prevent this.
• Haematoma – This refers to a collection of excess blood in the abdominal area. The blood is either absorbed naturally or will require surgical drainage. Symptoms include swelling, pain, bruising, hot skin to the touch, and itchy skin.
• Infection – Infection can occur if microorganisms enter the incision sites. Any type of infection should be treated as soon as possible using antibiotics.
• Seroma – It is possible for seroma fluid (leaking tissue fluid) to collect beneath the abdominal incisions after the drains have been removed. If this happens, this fluid can be removed in the consulting rooms using an aspiration needle.