Abdominoplasty in Abu Dhabi
Abdominoplasty is an operation on the abdominal wall that repairs separated rectus muscles and removes excess skin. It is considered after pregnancy or weight change, once weight is stable, and it is not a weight-loss treatment. In Abu Dhabi, it is performed at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) by Dr Thomas Colson, Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery.
Indications for abdominoplasty
Abdominoplasty addresses findings that exercise does not reach: separation of the rectus muscles, and skin that has lost its elasticity after pregnancy or weight change. It is not a treatment for obesity and not a method of weight loss.
Weight must be stable before the operation is planned. Because a future pregnancy will stretch the repair again, the operation is generally deferred until the patient does not plan a further pregnancy.
- Separation of the rectus abdominis muscles (diastasis recti), with a bulge that persists in a patient who is otherwise thin
- Excess skin of the abdomen after pregnancy or weight change
- A stable weight
- No further pregnancy planned
How abdominoplasty is carried out
Abdominoplasty combines the repair of the muscular layer with the removal of excess skin. The examination determines which form of the operation applies.
Repair of the muscle wall
The rectus abdominis muscles can separate along the midline, producing a bulge that persists in a patient who is otherwise thin. The muscles are sutured back to the midline with non-absorbable sutures, which closes the gap, restores tension to the abdominal wall and reduces the circumference of the waist as a consequence of that closure.
Skin removal and contour
Once the muscle layer is secured, the excess skin and the fat attached to it are removed. Liposuction of the flanks is frequently carried out in the same operation, so that the transition between the treated abdomen and the untreated flank is continuous rather than abrupt.
The umbilicus
The navel is not removed during a full abdominoplasty: it stays attached to the abdominal wall while the skin around it is moved, and it is brought out through a new opening. Its shape and the position of the surrounding scar determine whether the abdomen reads as operated or not.
Full or mini abdominoplasty
A full abdominoplasty addresses the abdomen above and below the navel, and is the operation used after pregnancy or major weight loss. A mini abdominoplasty addresses only the area below the navel, and applies where the skin excess is limited to that area and there is no separation of the upper abdominal muscles.
The incision
The incision is placed low on the pubis and extends between the two hips. Its length is proportional to the amount of skin removed. It is a long scar, it is placed so that it sits below the line of underwear, and it remains visible.
Recovery timeline after abdominoplasty
A long-acting local anaesthetic is used together with enhanced recovery protocols. Most patients describe tightness of the abdominal wall rather than sharp pain.
| Period | What is usual |
|---|---|
| First days | A sensation of tightness rather than sharp pain. Walking slightly bent forward, to protect the muscle repair. Drains in place at the start. |
| First weeks | A compression garment is worn. Swelling settles progressively. The return to desk work and the removal of drains are set at follow-up. |
| Following months | Sensation of the lower abdomen returns progressively, and may remain reduced in places. |
| 12 to 18 months | The scar continues to change over this period, after which it remains visible. |
Risks of abdominoplasty
Every operation on this page is carried out under general anaesthesia and carries the risks common to any surgery: bleeding and haematoma, infection, delayed wound healing, collection of fluid under the skin, venous thromboembolism, and reaction to the anaesthetic. These are discussed individually before consent, with the factors that raise them — smoking, diabetes, obesity, and a personal or family history of thrombosis.
- Collection of fluid under the flap (seroma), the most frequent specific complication of this operation, which may require drainage
- Healing difficulty at the incision, particularly at its centre
- Necrosis of the edge of the flap, whose risk is markedly raised by smoking
- Areas of reduced or absent sensation on the lower abdomen, which may persist
- Asymmetry of the navel, and a scar that widens or thickens
Venous thromboembolism deserves particular attention here, because the muscle repair raises intra-abdominal pressure.
What should prompt a call to the department
Contact the department in case of fever, a calf that becomes painful or swollen, shortness of breath, an area of the flap that turns dark or cold, discharge from the incision, or a sudden increase in swelling.
Choosing a surgeon in Abu Dhabi: verifiable criteria
The criteria below apply to any surgeon and can be checked independently. They are listed to help a patient ask the right questions, not to compare practitioners.
- Licence: a surgeon operating in Abu Dhabi holds a Department of Health Abu Dhabi licence, and its number can be requested and checked. Dr Colson is licensed as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon under licence GD47532.
- Specialist certification: board certification in plastic surgery, with the issuing board named. Dr Colson is double board certified by SOFCPRE (French Board) and EBOPRAS.
- Hospital setting: where the operation takes place, and what support is on site. Dr Colson operates at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), a government tertiary hospital within the SEHA network, with anaesthetic, imaging and inpatient support on site.
- Consultation and consent: an examination by the surgeon who will operate, and a consent discussion that covers the risks, the alternatives and the limits of the operation, with no promise of a particular result.
- Follow-up: who sees the patient after surgery, and how the team is reached if a complication occurs. At SKMC, follow-up takes place in the Department of Plastic Surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Is abdominoplasty a weight-loss operation?
No. Abdominoplasty repairs the abdominal wall and removes excess skin. It is not a treatment for obesity and not a method of weight loss, and weight must be stable before it is planned.
What is the difference between a full and a mini abdominoplasty?
A full abdominoplasty addresses the abdomen above and below the navel, and is the operation used after pregnancy or major weight loss. A mini abdominoplasty addresses only the area below the navel, where the skin excess is limited to that area and there is no separation of the upper abdominal muscles. The examination determines which applies.
Where is the scar placed for an abdominoplasty?
Low on the pubis, extending between the two hips. Its length is proportional to the amount of skin removed. It is positioned so that it sits below the line of underwear. It is a long scar and it remains visible.
Is the recovery from an abdominoplasty painful?
A long-acting local anaesthetic, marketed as Exparel, is used together with enhanced recovery protocols. Most patients describe tightness of the abdominal wall rather than sharp pain. Walking is slightly bent forward for the first days, to protect the muscle repair.
Can I become pregnant after an abdominoplasty?
It is possible, but a pregnancy will stretch the muscle repair and the skin again. The operation is generally deferred until a patient does not plan a further pregnancy.
Who performs abdominoplasty, and where?
Dr Thomas Colson performs abdominoplasty at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi, where he is Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery. In the UAE, consultations and surgery take place exclusively at SKMC.
Related pages
Consultation
In the UAE, consultations and surgery are performed exclusively at SKMC, Abu Dhabi.
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Educational disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified surgeon or health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.