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Abdominoplasty Tummy Tuck (drainless) and lipo to Flanks on Male, 34 - London

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From Vaser to Tummy Tuck (drainless) on Male, 34

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ukguy18
I have wanted liposuction for a couple of years now to my flanks and my tummy as that’s where I tend to gain extra weight. It only looks better when I am very thin. I can’t exercise as I used to be able to before due to Knee issues.

RealSelf has been such a help and I hope my experience will help someone, so it is detailed but I have broken it down if you want to skip.

So been really fed up of the “muffin top”. In the past I have managed to get hard abs but with little definition. I thought once the fat is vasered I can get defined. I found a high def Vaser specialist in London. Very reputed and I liked his results. I had planned my Vaser dates and everything as I knew he was GOOD! I knew I had ‘some loose’ skin but Vaser can achieve tightening so I thought I’ll be ok.

Waited impatiently for the consultation. He had a cancellation which meant I could see him in a week’s time.

Consultation day, I thought I will ask all the questions etc and book surgery - I am the ideal candidate.

At the consultation, he took one look at my problem areas and said, “that’s just mainly skin, I can’t help you”

I was confused and surprised. I told him how much I really wanted it and I was happy with some excess skin. He said he could not promise anything and only SOME improvement could be achieved. No mid or high fed as the skin was pretty lax, and I wouldn’t get muscular definition anyway. Very disappointed at this point. My problem is how my hip/iliac curve is so pronounced. I want a V-shape.

I had also researched Dr. Wolf but he only had appointments much later at the time and I did not want to wait and get this done ASAP so I did not book to see him. I was still going ahead with the vaser in the hope of getting some improvement on the flanks and lower abdomen. Some improvement is still improvement I thought.

I was talking to my family about this and mentioned Dr. Wolf and it seemed only wise to get a second opinion. I rang the number again and Dr. Wolf answered. He managed to fit me in about two days later.

**Consultation with Dr. Wolf**

At the consultation he said the exact same thing but would not try lipo as that would be the wrong decision he said. I needed a tummy tuck with lipo to get results. My skin tone was already very poor which he could tell from the stretch marks and it was loose. He was very assertive about the fact that I needed a tummy tuck with lipo and that lipo alone would leave me with more sagging skin. He explained how the skin could be pulled and tightened even on the flanks that could be pulled forward. Unfortunately, he did not perform T/T surgery and he said he would email me Dr’s details.

Dr. Wolf was really knowledgeable, approachable and really helpful. If I was getting lipo with him I would be very comfortable and would easily trust him. He also brought to my attention the fact that if I got lipo now, I would have to go through surgeries twice, two GAs, two recoveries and spend money twice! A very valid point!

??????

So I was disappointed but at the same time happy that there was still was a solution for me.

I did my research on T/T and a few names came up. I rang their respective clinics and none of these surgeons performed TT anymore as they were primarily Breast surgeons now.

**Finding Mr. William Van Niekerk**

My last one on the list was Mr William Van Niekerk. I had seen a couple of his photos and what I liked about them was a really neat fine scar and a flat natural looking tummy. So I rang his office and they also advised that he specialised in a BRAZILIAN TUMMY TUCK where drains are not required and a flatter tummy can be achieved. Bonus! My family were not happy about the drains.

I wanted to get the procedure done in CA or FL but I did not see any work that really impressed me. Either the scar was not neat enough or the belly button looked fake. A couple in Miami (eg. Dr. Miami) were good but they mostly do women and I did not like the final shape. But Dr. Miami is a two year wait anyway. As this is a fairly big surgery I wanted it done locally for after care and if any complications arise. And I still preferred Mr. Niekerk’s scar from the photos (albeit limited) and flananouk’s review/scars.

**Consultation with Mr. William Van Niekerk** coming up in next update

ukguy18's provider

William Van Niekerk, MBChB

William Van Niekerk, MBChB

Specialist Registered Plastic Surgeon

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UPDATED FROM ukguy18
7 days pre

Consultation with Mr William Van Niekerk

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ukguy18
I did not know what to expect, was nervous. I took a list of my questions with me. I was quite anxious. He is really friendly, warm and very thorough but to the point. He understood what I wanted and he explained EVERYTHING in so much detail that I did not really have to ask him any questions.

Scar- He said that the scar would be just as long as the fold of the excess skin/overhang. He did not want to extend it at this point. He has assured me he will do his best to give me the best scar he can and the rest was up to me looking after it and how my body heals it. I have bought Healgel to apply two weeks post-op and E45 to massage it and keep it moisturised as advised. He said that the sutures are placed in layers and he would tighten Scarpa’s fascia to achieve the best results.

Belly button- he uses an inverted chevron incision to place the belly button so it will have a slight hood at the top and look natural. He also said he will carve out the vertical 6-pack line which is called Linda Alba I think.

What is a Brazilian Tummy Tuck?

He explained it is Tummy Tuck combined with lipo. Once he uses the cannula to remove the fat on the upper lower abdomen (and flanks in my case) he can then just slide the skin rather than undermining it/detaching it from the underlying muscle. This benefits from a quicker recovery, fewer complications and no drains. blood vessels remain intact so there’s no tissue damage like traditional tummy tuck where skin is lifted and detached.

He said that I COULD get an additional vertical scar where my old belly button is, if there isn’t enough skin on the upper abdomen to pull it low enough and excise the bit with the old belly button “hole”. It is something I would have to bear in mind.

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UPDATED FROM ukguy18
1 day pre

The big day

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ukguy18
Will be on my way shortly for my 7am check in at the Cadogan Clinic. The surgery time is 8am. Excited and a little nervous, but calm overall, have stopped food since midnight. Uploaded another before in my t-shirt, flanks look pretty bad and one of the reasons for TT is to reduce the area which would not be possible without TT due to excess skin

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