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Abdominoplasty | Tummy Tuck

Pregnancy, weight fluctuation, and the passage of time all change the abdomen in ways that no amount of exercise can reverse. Skin stretches beyond its ability to retract. The deep abdominal muscles that run down the midline can separate — a condition called diastasis recti — causing a visible outward bulge. Fat redistributes to areas that resist targeted reduction.

Abdominoplasty addresses each of these. It is one of the most transformative body contouring procedures available, and one of Mr Matthew Potter’s priority procedures — the operations in which he has the deepest expertise and where he invests the greatest level of surgical attention.

Mr Potter has performed abdominoplasty for sixteen years. He assesses every patient across multiple consultations before recommending the appropriate type of procedure, and offers two approaches — mini abdominoplasty and full abdominoplasty — each suited to different degrees of skin excess and muscle involvement.
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Why Mr Potter

16 years performing abdominoplasty

0% unplanned return to theatre

0% wound dehiscence

Single revision case — minor skin excess corrected under local anaesthetic as a day case

Average post-operative stay: 2 nights

PHIN patient satisfaction score: 99%

PHIN is an independent government audit of consultant patient outcomes, randomly sampling post-operative patients. A 99% satisfaction score places Mr Potter among the highest-rated plastic surgeons in the country.

Our Technique

Mini Abdominoplasty

The mini abdominoplasty addresses excess skin in the lower abdomen only. A horizontal ellipse of skin is removed from below the tummy button, leaving a single scar below the bikini line. This procedure can be performed as a day case and does not resite the umbilicus.

Full Abdominoplasty

The full abdominoplasty addresses the entire abdominal skin from below the tummy button to the pubic bone. The skin is excised, the abdominal skin re-draped and sutured closed, and the umbilicus resited — concealed within its own natural indentation so that the scar around it is visible only on close inspection. The main scar sits below the bikini line.

The full procedure offers two significant advantages over the mini: it commonly removes stretch marks within the lower abdominal skin, and it allows Mr Potter to tighten the rectus abdominis and Scarpa’s fascia — the deep muscular and fascial layers of the abdomen — which the mini approach cannot address.

Two approaches — chosen for your anatomy

Where the abdominal muscles have separated in the midline, Mr Potter repairs them — a technique called rectus plication — as part of the full abdominoplasty. He also plicates Scarpa’s fascia, the deeper fascial layer. Together these techniques restore the structural integrity of the abdominal wall and contribute to a flatter, firmer long-term result.

Muscle and fascial repair

Abdominoplasty is frequently performed alongside liposuction to reduce fat towards the outer abdomen and flanks, feathering the transition between the treated front and the surrounding areas. Mr Potter will assess whether simultaneous liposuction is appropriate for you during consultation.

Simultaneous liposuction

Patient Imagery

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Your Recovery

What to Expect

Bruising will develop over the first few days and is expected. Swelling is also normal and should settle within a week in most cases. It will take on average five to seven days to regain relatively normal mobility. Wound tapes will begin to peel after a few days and can be trimmed at home.

Recovery Timeline

Days 1 – Shower encouraged; wound tapes washed and air dried; drains removed if used

Days 2–4 – Bruising develops; swelling present; oral pain relief as needed for 2–4 days

Days 5–7 – Relative normal mobility returning

7 days – Wound review at original hospital; wounds and operative sites checked

3 weeks – Review with Mr Potter

2 weeks – Return to low-demand activities such as office work

4 weeks – Return to driving when able to perform emergency manoeuvre

6 weeks – Strenuous activities and heavy lifting avoided until this point

8 weeks – Return to normal activities

Do's & Don'ts

  • Shower from day one; wash wound tapes thoroughly and allow to air dry
  • Wear a supportive compression garment day and night for 6 weeks following the procedure
  • Sleep in a comfortable position; avoid positions that put tension on the wound
  • Take oral pain relief for the first two to four days as needed
  • Avoid coughing and straining for 2 weeks
  • Avoid strenuous exercise for 6 weeks
  • Avoid lifting heavy weights for 8 weeks
  • Do not drive until you can safely perform an emergency manoeuvre — on average at least 4 weeks
  • Return to low-demand office work within 2 weeks
  • Return to normal activities at 8 weeks

The Procedure

What Happens on the Day

You will be admitted on the day of your procedure and seen by the anaesthetist and Mr Potter before going to theatre. Your abdomen will be marked with you standing and sitting, and you will have the opportunity to ask any final questions before surgery begins.

The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and takes approximately two to three hours. All sutures are dissolving. Wounds are dressed with skin-coloured surgical tape designed to be showered from day one. Raised wound edges from the deeper sutures will flatten at around one month, producing the optimal long-term scar.

Where a full abdominoplasty is performed, drains may be placed within the cavity to remove excess fluid and reduce swelling. These are typically removed the following day. Most patients stay one to two nights in hospital. Mr Potter injects the area with local anaesthetic during the procedure to limit post-operative pain.
Mr Potter will discuss all risks with you in detail during your consultations. His outcome data across sixteen years of abdominoplasty surgery reflects a strong safety record.
Risks associated with abdominoplasty include:
  • Scarring — scars run above the pubic hairline from hip to hip; initially puckered, settling to flat scars at around one month; abnormal lumpy or raised scarring is rare
  • Infection or wound breakdown — uncommon; managed with dressings at the hospital
  • Pain — Mr Potter injects the area with local anaesthetic during the procedure to limit post-operative pain; oral pain relief typically needed for two to four days
  • Swelling — expected; settles within a week in most cases; rarely may take longer
  • Bruising — expected; settles within a week
  • Bleeding / haematoma — rare; drains may be placed during surgery to reduce this risk; return to theatre may be required to remove blood and stop any bleeding
  • Changes in skin sensation — common around the operative site including the groin, flanks and lower tummy; typically resolves with time; rarely permanent numbness occurs
  • Asymmetry
  • Fat necrosis — rare; loss of fat volume after the procedure that may cause lumps or an oily discharge; managed with dressings or massage
  • Pulling on the pubic area — the pubic area may feel elevated after the procedure due to tension; improves as skin tension eases with time
  • Over / under resection — Mr Potter errs toward under-resection, which is more straightforwardly corrected than over-resection
  • DVT / pulmonary embolus — specialist stockings and blood-thinning injections are provided during your stay
  • Further procedures — where any adjustments are needed, Mr Potter and his hospital teams are happy to facilitate further surgery to ensure you are happy with your result

What Patients Say

I met Matthew Potter in 2024 when I first enquired about abdominoplasty. I had the operation booked in for March 2025. I unfortunately became unwell the week of the operation but Mr Potter very kindly just rescheduled for the next available date without any fuss. He explained everything very clearly and I am four weeks into my recovery now and couldn’t be happier with the results. I had very little post op pain and the scar is neat and healing well. I had the operation at the Ridgeway hospital and cannot praise them highly enough. Mr Potter and all the staff at the hospital looked after me exceptionally well and it was a pleasure to stay there. The nurses are all kind and gentle and the food is amazing. I have no hesitation in recommending Mr Potter and the Ridgeway hospital, they were both fantastic.
I’m coming up to 10 weeks post op following a breast lift, tummy tuck and 3 moles removed (in one surgery), with Matthew, and I have been so pleased with the whole process from start to finish along with the brilliant results he’s achieved. I couldn’t recommend Matthew more; he took plenty of time to explain the procedures and answered my questions, I felt completely at ease throughout the process. The aftercare, both in hospital and follow up appointments, has been great and the results achieved are everything I could have hoped for.
Thank you for all you did for me at the beginning of this year, I am extremely grateful.
I would like to thank you once again for all the kindness and friendship that you have given over the last few months. Knowing that I was in expert care was a great comfort.
Matthew Potter has been excellent in every way. He is clear in his explanations of the processes and procedures being undertaken and has exhibited a high level of holistic care concerning the wellbeing of his patient that has been very much appreciated. He has delivered in every way. I would highly recommend Matthew Potter as a plastic surgeon.
John DoeCEO
I write to put on record my gratitude for your great care and surgical skills during and after my recent operation.
John DoeCEO

Frequently Asked Questions

What is abdominoplasty?

Abdominoplasty — commonly called a tummy tuck — removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the underlying muscle and fascial layers. It addresses skin excess, stretch marks, and muscle separation that cannot be corrected through diet and exercise alone.

A mini abdominoplasty removes excess skin from the lower abdomen only and does not resite the umbilicus. A full abdominoplasty addresses the entire abdominal skin, resites the umbilicus, and allows Mr Potter to tighten the deep muscle and fascial layers. The full procedure also commonly removes stretch marks in the lower abdomen.

Yes — and it frequently is. Liposuction to the flanks and outer abdomen is often performed alongside abdominoplasty to feather the transition between the treated area and the surrounding skin. Mr Potter will assess whether this is appropriate for you.

Yes — abdominoplasty produces a permanent scar running above the pubic hairline from hip to hip. The scar is placed below the bikini line and is initially puckered, settling to flat at around one month. Mr Potter will discuss what to expect during consultation.

Most patients return to office-based work within two weeks. Normal mobility returns within five to seven days. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for six to eight weeks. Mr Potter reviews you at seven days and at three weeks.

No. Abdominoplasty is most effective for patients who are at or near a stable weight. It removes excess skin and tightens muscle — it is not a substitute for weight management.

At the Manor Hospital in Oxford, Ridgeway Hospital in Swindon, Stratum Clinic in Wootton Oxfordshire, ProDerm in Cheltenham, and Interface Business Park in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Book a Consultation

Contact us if you have any health concerns or are looking to get a consultation. You can contact Matthew Potter by using the form below or contact him through one of the available telephone numbers or email addresses listed on this page.

Private Secretary & All Correspondence

T. 07917 965717

Swindon - Ridgeway Hospital

T. 01793 814848

Cheltenham - ProDerm, Festival House

T. 0800 0489230

Oxfordshire - Stratum Clinic,
Wootton Business Park

T. 01865 320790

Wiltshire - Interface Business Park, Royal Wootton Bassett

T: 0808 2803560

Oxford - The Manor Hospital

T. 01865 307777

Contact Lissie on 07917 965717 or use the form below.