What is Abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, tightens the abdominal wall, and creates a flatter, firmer abdominal profile. It is particularly suited to patients who have experienced significant changes to their abdomen as a result of pregnancy, major weight loss or ageing, where skin laxity and muscle separation have developed that cannot be corrected by exercise or diet alone.
Mr. Blackburn performs both full and mini abdominoplasty procedures, tailoring the approach to each patient's anatomy and goals. Scar placement is planned to fall within the bikini line wherever possible. The procedure can also be combined with liposuction to address residual fatty deposits in the flanks or waist, or with breast surgery (such as mastopexy or breast reduction) where both are indicated.
Functional Benefits: Diastasis Recti Repair
A full abdominoplasty can incorporate a plication (surgical tightening) of the rectus abdominis muscles, which is particularly beneficial for patients with a rectus diastasis — a separation of the two muscle columns down the centre of the abdomen that commonly develops during pregnancy.
Mr. Blackburn's unpublished research, conducted in collaboration with specialist sports medicine doctors, demonstrated that women with a rectus diastasis of more than 4 cm experience significantly higher rates of lower back pain and pelvic floor weakness. Abdominoplasty with rectus plication produces meaningful improvement in both of these functional problems, reinforcing that for many patients this is not a purely cosmetic procedure.
Full vs Mini Abdominoplasty
A full abdominoplasty addresses the entire abdomen — above and below the navel — and is the most commonly performed technique. A mini abdominoplasty is a more limited procedure addressing only the lower abdomen, and is suited to patients with confined skin excess and good upper abdominal tone. Mr. Blackburn will recommend the most appropriate technique at consultation based on a thorough assessment of your anatomy.
Recovery
Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, typically as a 1–2 night inpatient stay. Most patients return to light desk-based work within 3–4 weeks. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise are avoided for 8–12 weeks. Swelling continues to resolve over 3–6 months, and scars mature over 12–18 months. Mr. Blackburn's practice follows an evidence-based scar management protocol beginning with 3M Micropore tape — see the scar care guide for details.
- Removes excess abdominal skin and fat
- Repairs diastasis recti (muscle separation) where present
- Full or mini abdominoplasty options
- Scar placed within bikini line
- Can be combined with liposuction or breast surgery
- New Victoria Hospital Kingston & Mount Alvernia Guildford