Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) in Leeds & Yorkshire
About the procedure
What is a Tummy Tuck?
An abdominoplasty is a major operation. It is not a nip-and-tuck that can be done during a lunch break. The aim of an abdominoplasty is to remove excess skin and fat in the lower tummy – the bulge that hangs over your belt. This surgery requires a general anaesthetic. An abdominoplasty will only address the lower tummy. Patients also wanting improvement in the hips or flanks usually require a combination approach of abdominoplasty and liposuction – a lipoabdominoplasty.
Patients who have excess skin and fat affecting their upper tummy may require a fleur-de-lys abdominoplasty. This is more extensive than a standard abdominoplasty and involves an additional scar running up the middle of the tummy. This type of abdominoplasty is usually appropriate for people who have undergone massive weight loss surgery or lost over 5 stone from diet and exercise.
A total body lift is perhaps the most extreme form of abdominoplasty as it is a abdominoplasty in which the scar runs around the entire lower body. This surgery not only improves the abdomen but also the back, buttocks and hips.
For routine cases I offer the “extended abdominoplasty.” This technique involves no drains and precise tightening of the tissue overlying the muscles to give a better hourglass shape. It narrows the gapping between the muscle commonly seen after childbirth – known as rectus divarication/diastasis – and helps accentuate an hourglass figure whilst giving a much slimmer silhouette.
Who is a Tummy Tuck for?
Procedure Overview.
PROCEDURE TIME
3-4 hours.
HOSPITAL TIME
1-2 nights.
WORK OFF TIME
3-4 weeks.
NO Gym FOR
4 weeks.
NO DRIVING
2 weeks.
GARMENT
Abdominal.
FOLLOW UP
2,4,6,12 week.
The Consultation.
The initial consultation will discuss your concerns and expectations. This will be followed by a full medical history, clinical examination and photos. We will then discuss your options and if surgery is appropriate, you will be shown a presentation of the procedure including before and after photos, risks, the recovery process and the different types of abdominoplasty available. You will then be provided with a comprehensive letter and additional information leaflets to help you make a decision. If you decide to proceed with surgery, you will have another consultation to talk through the surgery in more detail and answer any questions you may have.
The Planning.
The surgery is based on the amount of skin and excess fat you have and whether we want to address your flanks or upper tummy. If you have significant fat to your flanks then you will be offered liposuction at the same to give the best result. How much skin and fat we remove is a balance between a great result and ensuring you are not too tight and at risk of complications. A key skill is ensuring the scar is as low as possible. There is an art to getting this surgery right.
This is a good opportunity for a friend to come for support. Importantly we advise no surgery within 2 months of a holiday abroad to ensure you have recovered fully.
The Procedure.
The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic. We reduced post surgery pain by the addition of specialised nerve blocks – similar to an epidural – to ensure you wake up comfortable and able to move. You will be given medicated body wash to use prior to your surgery to reduce the risk of infection. There are no drains and the catheter is removed at the end of the operation so you are fully mobile that evening and able to look after yourself. Most patients need 1-2 nights in hospital to be confident to go home. We use no bandages so you are able to shower the following day.
The Aftercare.
We will follow you up at 2 weeks and remove your glue based dressing. You will then be seen regular until completely healed and finally at approximately 3 months.
Patient reviews
Patient Reviews
5.0
from 88 verified reviews
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Patient Reviews
I had a Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty in February 2020. Mr Holmes was amazing from the first consultation to my last check up. I couldn’t recommend him more. I felt at ease the whole time, considering it been a sizeable operation. He explained everything so thoroughly, so much so that I wasn’t left with any questions myself before the procedure. The result of my operation was and still is outstanding. The aftercare was fantastic, I had regular check ups to make sure I was healing okay. If I was ever to have any more cosmetic surgery, I would always seek Mr Holmes to carry it out. Thankyou again for everything.
My approach
Procedure risks.
Immediate Risks.
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Poor ugly or lumpy scarring
- Seroma – fluid build up that can be managed in the clinic setting with drainage
- DVT/PE/Chest infections – rare
- Numbness to lower tummy skin
Early Risks.
- Asymmetry
- Belly button asymmetry or malposition
- Delayed wound healing
- Chronic pain/discomfort
- Temporary discomfort to thighs
- Fat necrosis – hard tender lumps underneath the skin that resolve after 3 months but persist rarely.
Late Risks.
- Residual loose skin
- Residual overhang
- Prominence of long standing stretch marks
- Mons ptosis/bulk
- Scar asymmetry
- Belly button narrowing
- Changes in abdominal shape and contour due to ageing, weight gain/loss and future childbirth
- Hernia/bulge – rare but if found during surgery we can sometimes fix this.
Interested in a consultation?
If you are interested to learn more, and would like to come for a face-to-face or virtual chat, please send me and my team a message, and we can get in touch to arrange your consultation.
Tummy Tuck FAQs.
What is the difference between a full and mini tummy tuck?.
A full abdominoplasty addresses the entire abdomen including muscle repair. A mini tummy tuck targets only the lower abdomen with a shorter scar. Mr Holmes advises the best option based on your anatomy.
How long is the recovery after a tummy tuck?.
Most patients take 2–4 weeks off work. Light exercise resumes at 6 weeks and full activity at 3 months. A compression garment is worn for 6 weeks.
Will a tummy tuck remove stretch marks?.
A tummy tuck can remove stretch marks on the skin that is excised (usually below the navel). Stretch marks above the navel may be repositioned lower but not fully removed.
Can I combine a tummy tuck with other procedures?.
Yes — abdominoplasty is sometimes combined with liposuction or other body contouring procedures. Mr Holmes will discuss whether combination surgery is appropriate at consultation.
Where is tummy tuck surgery performed in Leeds?.
Surgery is performed at Spire Methley Park Hospital, Methley Lane, Leeds, LS26 9HG. Mr Holmes also consults at Coppergate Clinic, York.
Is Mr Will Holmes GMC registered?.
Yes — Mr Will JM Holmes is fully GMC-registered, holds FRCS (Plast), and is a member of BAPRAS and BAAPS. He is an NHS Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust.
Tummy Tuck in Leeds, York & Yorkshire.
Mr Will JM Holmes performs tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery at Spire Methley Park Hospital, Leeds (LS26 9HG) and consults at Coppergate Clinic, York (YO1 9NR). Patients travel from across Yorkshire — including Harrogate, Wakefield, Bradford, Hull and Sheffield — to consult with Mr Holmes.
As a full-time NHS Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS Plast), Mr Holmes brings a level of training and experience rarely found in private-only practice. He is registered with BAPRAS, BAAPS and PHIN, and holds a 5.0★ rating across 88 patient reviews on iWantGreatCare.
- Body contouring surgery Leeds — Spire Methley Park Hospital, LS26 9HG
- Body contouring surgery York — Coppergate Clinic, YO1 9NR
- Patients from Harrogate, Wakefield, Bradford, Hull & Sheffield welcome
To book a consultation, call 01134 601796 or use the contact form below.
