Abdominoplasty, considered carefully
It is first important to understand the principles and fundamentals about your respective medical conditions, goals and expectations. Dr Nara will explain the intricacies of abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery) based on your respective goals — including the risks of surgery and recovery.
Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is an operation performed to alter the shape of your abdomen, where evolutionary changes resulting from either natural ageing, weight loss or pregnancy contribute to excess skin or soft tissue. These processes might stretch some of your underlying tissues which remain permanently elongated.
A reasonable undertaking before this operation is to ensure that you have a stable weight and diet for at least six months. Some patients may even choose to accept their steady improvement from diet, exercise and lifestyle change alone, without surgery. Others find that despite valiant efforts, no improvements are seen, and they then choose to consider abdominoplasty.
During the abdominoplasty, loose or redundant skin is removed below the navel and the remainder tissues fastened to the underlying structures. The tissues are carefully balanced before closure. Where surgery is appropriate, it is performed under general anaesthesia in an accredited and licensed facility, with a written cooling-off period and structured aftercare in line with Medical Board of Australia guidelines.
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Variation of results
Results do differ from patient to patient and are not directly comparable. What is appropriate for one person — anatomy, weight history, skin quality, prior surgery — is not necessarily appropriate for another.
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Risks
Risks of surgery are present, but minimised through preparation, planning and compliance with post-operative care. Strictly no smoking. Read the full list on our risks of surgery page.
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Driving
If the wound is still healing, you should refrain from driving. Specific instructions are given to every patient before they leave the facility.
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Work
Depending on the type of surgery and the nature of your work, expect to take time off for at least four weeks. Some patients need longer — particularly for physically demanding work.
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Exercise
Brisk walking can start as early as two days after surgery. Higher-intensity training (including HIIT) is generally reintroduced at four to five months, depending on recovery and Dr Nara's guidance at follow-up.
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01 What are the risks of abdominoplasty?
Any surgery is not without risks. Abdominoplasty is important surgery where there can be significant risks and complications. These include bleeding, infection and wound breakdown. There can also be significant complications such as clots in the leg (deep venous thrombosis) which can be life-threatening, severe infection and blood loss. The full list of risks is on our risks of surgery page and is worked through line by line at consultation. That is why it is fundamental to take time to understand the process before making any decision for surgery. -
02 What technique does Dr Nara use?
Dr Nara will listen to your concerns to understand the goals that are important to you. Abdominoplasty has significant variations to techniques used based on the practitioner's qualification, training, experience and skill. Techniques also evolve over time based on research and improvements in the medical field. There is no single standard way of performing tummy tuck surgery. Each patient is unique and has a different presentation, so Dr Nara will look into the appropriate technique for your respective presentation at consultation. -
03 How is it done?
Dr Nara performs abdominoplasty in accredited and licensed facilities. Major abdominoplasty — which involves suturing the muscle sheaths together — is performed under general anaesthesia administered by a consultant anaesthetist from the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. -
04 How much does abdominoplasty cost?
First of all, you should consider who is operating on you, whether you are having surgery in a fully accredited and licensed facility, and whether you have good after-care management. Has your practitioner received formal training in cosmetic medicine and surgery? You are allowed to ask this at your consult. Do you feel comfortable with the practitioner and not rushed into the surgery? Did you understand the consent process and have all your questions answered? These factors are fundamental before considering cost. The cost of elective cosmetic abdominoplasty encompasses doctor's fees, theatre fees, anaesthetic fees and consumables. It also depends on what areas you want addressed. Since all patients are unique, you must have a dedicated cosmetic consultation with Dr Nara before any treatment, so an appropriate quote can be generated specifically for you. Dr Nara is a cosmetic doctor — private health insurance and Medicare rebates do not apply. -
05 Are there scars from abdominoplasty?
All cosmetic surgical treatments have some degree of scarring. Scars from abdominoplasty are permanent. They extend from one end of the waist to the other. There are scar therapies available that may improve the look and feel of the scar. The full risks of surgery are on our risks of surgery page. -
06 Is it painful?
Abdominoplasty is associated with moderate discomfort after surgery. Some patients experience a higher degree of discomfort. Techniques of surgery and preparation prior to surgery have improved over time, which has reflected on the degree of discomfort during recovery. It is unrealistic to imagine that abdominoplasty has no discomfort during the recovery phase. Each patient responds differently. -
07 Do I need this?
The truth is, you do not need any elective surgery — including cosmetic surgery. As the description implies, it is an elective operation. If you feel that there are areas important to you that cannot be addressed through diet and exercise then this could be considered. At times, this still may not improve the excess soft tissue. Speak to Dr Nara at your consultation to understand whether this procedure is appropriate for you. -
08 What if I am overweight?
Generally, the higher an individual's body mass index, the higher the risk of surgery. This is especially important for abdominoplasty. The better the state of your body mass index, the lower your risks of surgery. Some patients may not be suitable for surgery at a particular time in their lives when considering abdominoplasty — this is something Dr Nara will discuss honestly at consultation. -
09 How much soft tissue can be removed?
Not all soft tissue can be removed. It is vital to have realistic expectations for abdominoplasty. The amount of skin and tissue that is appropriate to remove depends on anatomy, vascular supply, prior surgery and what is safe — these are all worked through at consultation. -
10 Can liposuction be combined with a tummy tuck?
Yes, in selected patients. Some patients have a result that involves both abdominoplasty and abdominal liposuction. The combination — and whether it is safe and appropriate for you — depends on tissue thickness, prior surgery, weight stability and other factors discussed at consultation. Read about liposuction. -
11 What happens at consultation?
There are two appointments before any surgical decision. The first is a face-to-face or Zoom assessment with Dr Nara that takes time — anatomy, medical history, weight history, technique options, the realistic range of outcomes and the full risks are all discussed, with a chaperone present. The second is a follow-up to revisit anything you have thought about since. A specialist GP referral and a psychological assessment are part of the process per Medical Board of Australia guidelines. -
12 How long is the cooling-off period?
A formal cooling-off period applies between consultation and any procedure, in line with Medical Board of Australia guidelines for cosmetic surgery. The intent is the opposite of pressure — time to read the written consent paperwork, talk to your GP, ask follow-up questions, and decide whether to proceed.
Our process
From first conversation to follow-up
Every abdominoplasty patient moves through the same four steps, in the same order. Surgery only happens once steps one and two are done.
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Consultation
A face-to-face or Zoom assessment with Dr Nara, with a chaperone present. We discuss anatomy, medical history, technique options, the realistic range of outcomes, and the full risks. You leave with written information — never a same-day decision.
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Reflection
A formal cooling-off period under Medical Board of Australia guidelines. Time to reread the consent paperwork, talk to your GP, ask follow-up questions, and decide whether to proceed.
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Procedure
Performed by Dr Nara under general anaesthesia in an accredited and licensed facility, with a consultant anaesthetist from the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. Technique and operative plan — including muscle plication where appropriate — are tailored to your individual assessment. You go home with a supportive garment, written aftercare and Dr Nara's direct contact.
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Follow-up
Structured reviews through the first weeks and months. Recovery from abdominoplasty is generally longer than less invasive procedures — patients are typically asked to take 2–3 weeks off non-physical work, with higher-impact activity reintroduced progressively over the first months. These are individual ranges, not promises.
Photographic record
Before & after — Dr Nara's patients
Each plate below shows a single patient's record. Photographs are unedited and not retouched. Results vary considerably between people based on anatomy, weight history, prior surgery, healing and personal factors.
We thank our patient, who is equally responsible for her results by always attending follow-up clinics on time and complying with all after-surgery instructions. The outcome of aesthetic surgery is a symbiosis between patient and surgery. Photographs are part of a clinical record kept under Australian Medical Board guidelines, presented here with patient consent, and are not generalisable to other patients. If you would like to talk through what is — and isn't — addressable for you specifically, the next step is a consultation.
Before you book
Come and speak with us about your expectations
We will work with you towards your goals in a trusted, safe and proficient manner. Results vary from patient to patient — each case is unique with its own anatomy, weight history, prior surgery, risks and expectations.
All treatments have risks and benefits — to read those in detail, visit our risks of surgery page. It is important to seek a consult with your practitioner in person prior to any treatment, and we encourage you to seek a second opinion before proceeding.
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Reserve your consult
Tummy tuck decisions are made in person, after a thorough assessment with a chaperone present. A formal quote is only provided after that consultation, because anatomy, weight history, prior surgery and operative plan differ between patients.
Submitting this form sends your enquiry to Dr Nara's team. Please don't include sensitive medical details — those are discussed at consultation.