Dr Evan Woo
Senior Consultant Breast and Plastic Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery), MRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS (Plastic Surgery)
MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery), MRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS (Plastic Surgery)
Your Guide to Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Your body tells the story of every stage of life, but that doesn’t mean lasting changes have to define how you feel about yourself.
If you’ve been unable to achieve the abdominal contour you want despite your best efforts, a tummy tuck may offer another option to help restore your confidence.
Understanding Tummy Tuck
What is a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is an aesthetic surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while tightening weakened or separated abdominal muscles where appropriate. It is designed to restore a firmer, flatter abdominal profile and improve overall body proportions. Every procedure is tailored to your anatomy, concerns and treatment goals.
A tummy tuck may help address:
For women experiencing both abdominal and breast changes following pregnancy, a tummy tuck may also be performed as part of a personalised mummy makeover, depending on their individual concerns and treatment goals.
Potential Benefits & Outcomes
What Are the Benefits of a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck may offer several benefits by addressing changes to the abdomen that cannot be improved through diet and exercise alone.
Every tummy tuck is carefully planned according to your anatomy and treatment goals to achieve balanced, natural-looking body contours while maintaining harmony with your overall physique.
Understanding Your Suitability
Is a Tummy Tuck Suitable for Me?
A tummy tuck may be suitable for individuals who wish to address persistent changes to the abdomen that have not improved despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Suitability depends on your anatomy, overall health, treatment goals and whether surgery can be performed safely.
You may be a suitable candidate if you:
Take the First Step Towards a Firmer Abdomen
Every tummy tuck begins with a personalised consultation to understand your concerns and determine whether surgery is suitable for your anatomy and goals.
Treatment Options
Types of Tummy Tuck Procedures
The most appropriate tummy tuck technique depends on the amount of excess skin, the condition of your abdominal muscles and your treatment goals. During your consultation, Dr Evan Woo will assess your anatomy and recommend the surgical approach best suited to your needs.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A mini tummy tuck addresses excess skin below the belly button and may be suitable for individuals with mild skin laxity and limited abdominal muscle separation confined to the lower abdomen. It is designed to improve the lower abdominal contour while requiring a shorter incision than a full tummy tuck.
Full Tummy Tuck
A full tummy tuck addresses excess skin and fat across the entire abdomen while repairing weakened or separated abdominal muscles where appropriate. It is commonly recommended for patients with more significant changes following pregnancy or substantial weight loss.
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck removes excess skin from the abdomen while also improving the contours of the flanks or hips. It may be considered for patients with more extensive skin laxity, particularly following significant weight loss, where a wider area of contouring is required.
Liposuction-Assisted Tummy Tuck
A liposuction-assisted tummy tuck combines abdominoplasty with liposuction to remove localised fat deposits while addressing excess skin and abdominal muscle laxity. This approach may enhance waist definition and create smoother, more harmonious body contours for suitable patients.
Pre-Surgery Preparation
Preparing for a Tummy Tuck
From your initial consultation to the day of surgery, each stage of preparation plays an important role in ensuring your treatment is planned around your anatomy, health and recovery needs.
| Step | What to Expect |
| Consultation and Assessment | Your concerns, medical history, previous pregnancies or weight loss history, abdominal anatomy and treatment goals will be assessed to determine whether a tummy tuck is appropriate and identify the most suitable surgical approach. |
| Optimising Your Health | Achieving or maintaining a stable weight and ensuring existing medical conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, are well managed can help reduce the risk of complications and support recovery. If required, Dr Woo may recommend optimising your health before proceeding with surgery. |
| Preparing for Surgery | You will receive personalised instructions to help you prepare for your procedure. This may include stopping smoking several weeks before surgery, reviewing your medications and supplements, temporarily avoiding medications that increase bleeding risk where appropriate, and arranging support during your recovery. |
Consultation and Assessment
Your concerns, medical history, previous pregnancies or weight loss history, abdominal anatomy and treatment goals will be assessed to determine whether a tummy tuck is appropriate and identify the most suitable surgical approach.
Optimising Your Health
Achieving or maintaining a stable weight and ensuring existing medical conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, are well managed can help reduce the risk of complications and support recovery. If required, Dr Woo may recommend optimising your health before proceeding with surgery.
Preparing for Surgery
You will receive personalised instructions to help you prepare for your procedure. This may include stopping smoking several weeks before surgery, reviewing your medications and supplements, temporarily avoiding medications that increase bleeding risk where appropriate, and arranging support during your recovery.
What to Expect
What Happens During a Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is tailored to your anatomy and the surgical approach selected. While every procedure is personalised, it generally involves the following steps:
| Step | What to Expect |
| Anaesthesia | General anaesthesia is administered so you remain asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure. |
| Incision and Tissue Preparation | Incisions are carefully planned according to the type of tummy tuck being performed. Excess skin and fat are separated to allow access to the abdominal wall. |
| Abdominal Muscle Repair | If weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti) are present, they may be repaired to restore the integrity of the abdominal wall and improve abdominal contour. |
| Abdominal Contouring | Excess skin is removed and, where appropriate, liposuction may be performed to refine the abdominal contours and improve body proportions. |
| Closing the Incisions | The remaining skin is repositioned, incisions are closed with sutures, and dressings and compression garments are applied to support healing. |
| After the Procedure | Most patients remain in hospital for one or more nights before being discharged with personalised aftercare instructions and scheduled follow-up appointments. |
Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia is administered so you remain asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure.
Incision and Tissue Preparation
Incisions are carefully planned according to the type of tummy tuck being performed. Excess skin and fat are separated to allow access to the abdominal wall.
Abdominal Muscle Repair
If weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti) are present, they may be repaired to restore the integrity of the abdominal wall and improve abdominal contour.
Abdominal Contouring
Excess skin is removed and, where appropriate, liposuction may be performed to refine the abdominal contours and improve body proportions.
Closing the Incisions
The remaining skin is repositioned, incisions are closed with sutures, and dressings and compression garments are applied to support healing.
After the Procedure
Most patients remain in hospital for one or more nights before being discharged with personalised aftercare instructions and scheduled follow-up appointments.
Ready to Restore a Firmer, Flatter Abdomen?
Arrange a consultation with Dr Evan Woo to discuss your concerns and receive a personalised tummy tuck treatment plan tailored to your anatomy and goals.
Post-Surgery Recovery
Recovery After a Tummy Tuck
Recovery after a tummy tuck varies depending on the extent of surgery performed, your overall health and your body's natural healing process. While most patients gradually resume light daily activities within the first few weeks, complete healing and the final results take longer to develop.
| What to Expect | Details |
| Initial Recovery | Swelling, bruising, tightness and discomfort are expected during the early stages of recovery and gradually improve over the following weeks. Light walking is encouraged soon after surgery to promote circulation and support recovery, while strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and activities that strain the abdominal muscles should be avoided until advised by Dr Woo. |
| Aftercare Recommendations | You will be advised to wear a compression garment to help reduce swelling, support healing and maintain your abdominal contours during recovery. Regular follow-up appointments allow Dr Woo to monitor your healing and provide guidance as your recovery progresses. |
| Final Results | Your abdominal contour will continue to improve as swelling subsides and the tissues settle. While noticeable improvements are often seen within the first few weeks, the final results may take several months to become fully apparent. |
Initial Recovery
Swelling, bruising, tightness and discomfort are expected during the early stages of recovery and gradually improve over the following weeks. Light walking is encouraged soon after surgery to promote circulation and support recovery, while strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and activities that strain the abdominal muscles should be avoided until advised by Dr Woo.
Aftercare Recommendations
You will be advised to wear a compression garment to help reduce swelling, support healing and maintain your abdominal contours during recovery. Regular follow-up appointments allow Dr Woo to monitor your healing and provide guidance as your recovery progresses.
Final Results
Your abdominal contour will continue to improve as swelling subsides and the tissues settle. While noticeable improvements are often seen within the first few weeks, the final results may take several months to become fully apparent.
Understanding the Risks
Risks and Potential Complications of a Tummy Tuck
As with any surgical procedure, a tummy tuck carries general risks associated with anaesthesia and surgery.
Potential tummy tuck-specific risks may include:
Careful patient selection, meticulous surgical planning and close postoperative follow-up help support a safe recovery. Dr Evan Woo will discuss the potential risks relevant to your treatment plan during your consultation.
Trusted Tummy Tuck Expertise
Why Patients Choose
Dr Evan Woo for Tummy Tucks
Minimally Invasive Abdominal Wall Repair
Where suitable, Dr Woo uses minimally invasive techniques to repair abdominal muscle separation alongside tummy tuck surgery, tailoring the approach to the condition of the abdominal wall.
Extensive Experience in Women’s Surgery at KKH
Dr Woo’s experience at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) has shaped his understanding of women’s surgical needs and the physical changes associated with pregnancy and childbirth. This experience informs his approach to restoring abdominal contour and function after pregnancy.
Comprehensive Abdominal Assessment
Every tummy tuck begins with a detailed assessment of the abdominal wall and body contours. In addition to a physical examination, Dr Woo uses ultrasound where appropriate to assess muscle separation, screen for hernias and guide surgical planning.
Focus on Breast and Body Surgery
With a practice focused on breast and body surgery, Dr Woo plans each tummy tuck around the patient’s anatomy and overall proportions, with the aim of achieving balanced, natural-looking contours.
Your Journey Starts Here
Achieve a Firmer, More Balanced Abdominal Contour
with Dr Evan Woo
A tummy tuck can help address excess abdominal skin, weakened abdominal muscles and changes in body contour that may occur following pregnancy or significant weight loss. Because every patient’s anatomy, concerns and treatment goals are different, surgery is carefully planned to determine the most appropriate technique while balancing aesthetic improvement with functional restoration.
At Evan Woo Plastic Surgery, treatment is centred around careful assessment, personalised planning and natural-looking results. Dr Evan Woo will evaluate your concerns, explain whether a tummy tuck is appropriate for your needs and recommend a surgical approach tailored to your anatomy and treatment goals. Arrange a consultation to discuss your options and take the first step towards restoring your abdominal contours.
Helpful Information
FAQs About Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Will a tummy tuck remove my stretch marks?
A tummy tuck is not specifically performed to treat stretch marks. However, stretch marks located on the skin that is removed during surgery, usually on the lower abdomen, may also be removed. Stretch marks outside the area of skin excision will remain, although their appearance may change as the abdomen is tightened.
When can I have a tummy tuck after pregnancy?
A tummy tuck is generally considered only after you have fully recovered from pregnancy and childbirth, have finished breastfeeding, and your weight has stabilised. If you are planning future pregnancies, your surgeon may recommend postponing surgery, as pregnancy can affect the long-term results.
Will I have a scar after a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck involves an incision, so some scarring is unavoidable. Dr Evan Woo carefully plans the incision so that it is typically concealed beneath underwear or swimwear where possible. Scars usually fade over time, although their final appearance varies depending on individual healing and the extent of surgery performed.
What happens if I gain weight after a tummy tuck?
Weight gain after a tummy tuck can affect your results by stretching the abdominal tissues and altering your body contours. Maintaining a stable weight through a healthy lifestyle helps preserve the long-term outcome of your surgery.
Can a tummy tuck be combined with other procedures?
Yes. A tummy tuck may be combined with procedures such as liposuction or breast surgery as part of a personalised treatment plan, particularly for patients seeking more comprehensive body contouring after pregnancy or significant weight loss. Your surgeon will advise whether combining procedures is appropriate based on your overall health and treatment goals.
Experience You Can Rely On
Our Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon
Experience You Can Rely On
Our Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon
Dr Evan Woo
Senior Consultant Breast and Plastic Surgeon
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, National University of Singapore
- Master of Medicine (Surgery), National University of Singapore
- Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- Fellow, Academy of Medicine, Singapore (Plastic Surgery)
Dr Evan Woo is a specialist plastic, reconstructive and breast surgeon whose practice is dedicated to breast and body surgery, with particular expertise in aesthetic breast surgery, breast reconstruction and breast cancer surgery. Following specialist training in Singapore, he completed a Microsurgery Fellowship at the Nottingham Breast Institute in the United Kingdom, further advancing his expertise in reconstructive and complex breast surgery.
Dr Evan Woo’s experience in both breast and body contouring surgery allows him to develop comprehensive treatment plans for women seeking to address the physical changes that can occur following pregnancy and childbirth. Whether a patient requires a tummy tuck alone or a combination of procedures as part of a mummy makeover, every surgical plan is tailored to their anatomy, concerns and treatment goals to achieve balanced, natural-looking results.
