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By Abdulaziz Ali - Medically reviewed by Prof. Zeynep Sevim, on Dec 07, 2023

Who is not a good candidate for the surgery? 

Abdominoplasty should only be taken into consideration by patients that have already reached a stable weight but are looking to remove excess skin and fatty tissue from the abdominal area.

Pregnant women or women planning to have children should postpone the surgery for a while. Tummy tuck scars should also be taken into consideration before choosing to undergo this procedure.

How long should you stay in the hospital after the surgery? 

You may spend one night in the hospital after the procedure to monitor your status. 

How long is the procedure? 

The surgery will take between 2 to 3 hours if there is no complication. 

What you should avoid before the surgery? 

Once reaching a stable weight, an abdominoplasty becomes an option. The patient should stop the intake of any vitamins, herbal teas, and aspirin at least 10 days before surgery. The patient should also quit smoking at least 14 days before the procedure.

How is the surgery performed?

The patient is first put under general anesthesia and the surgeon proceeds to outline the incision, which usually runs from one hip to the other. Next, the doctor will separate the loose skin from the abdominal wall and tighten the abdominal muscles through stitches.

This will create a narrower waistline and a firmer abdomen. Once the extra skin is removed, the incision is stitched up and bandages are applied to the area to prevent infection.

Recovery Timeline

Tummy tuck results are noticeable in 2-3 weeks after surgery when the swelling subsides. The tummy tuck recovery period lasts between 2 and 4 weeks with patients usually being able to return to work in 1-2 weeks.

The patient will be provided with a special compression garment that needs to be worn as instructed by the doctor. This garment will speed up recovery and also reduce scarring in the surgery region.

Side effects of the surgery

Patients may feel nausea from anesthesia, numbness in the surgery area, swelling, bruising, and pain that can be soothed with painkillers.

Tummy tuck abroad success rate

A survey based on tummy tuck reviews set the patient satisfaction rate at 86%, with 86% of patients recommending this procedure to family or friends.

What to expect before and after the surgery? 

Before and after tummy tuck pictures may look appealing but the doctor’s guidelines are crucial to a successful abdominoplasty procedure. The patient can lose a considerable amount of fat and excess skin but these results need to be maintained through a strict diet and exercise plan.

How many days should I travel/stay abroad to do the treatment?

You will need a minimum of 7 - 8 nights

Traditional Tummy Tuck Surgery

A traditional tummy tuck procedure also called a “full tummy tuck” is the standard surgery for patients who want a flatter abdomen above and below the belly button area. During this procedure, the doctor will make a long horizontal incision from one hip to the other and around the umbilicus.

Excess skin and tissue are then removed, with the remaining skin and underlying muscle tissue being pulled tightly over the stomach. The belly button is repositioned before the incision is closed with sutures. This procedure is recommended for patients with excess skin in the belly button area and weak abdominal muscles.

General anesthesia is administered to the patient before the procedure can begin. The recovery period usually lasts around 2 weeks with swelling and bruising gradually going down over a longer period of time.

Mini Tummy Tuck Surgery

Mini tummy tuck surgery is less invasive than a standard tummy tuck procedure, but the overall objectives are the same. This technique is better suited for patients with excess skin and tissue below the belly button, making it ideal for slender individuals with a so-called “belly pooch” – a small bulge of skin and underlying tissue in the lower abdomen.

The surgeon will create a smaller horizontal incision under the belly button before removing excess skin and tightening the stomach muscle beneath. The incision is then closed with sutures. Repositioning of the belly button itself is not necessary, due to the smaller incision made with this technique.

Since a mini tummy tuck is less invasive than standard tummy tuck surgery, it can be done under twilight anesthesia and the recovery period is shorter, at around a week.

Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck, also known as a circumferential lower body lift is a more invasive type of procedure used to address issues of the abdomen, lower back, and hips region. This surgery is recommended for individuals who lost a lot of weight and are in good health – this procedure can completely reshape the look of the patient’s body.

A long horizontal incision is required to perform this procedure – the incision stretches across the lower belly and the lower back. A vertical incision is made from the lower belly to the belly button as well. These incisions will allow the doctor to remove any surplus skin tissue and fatty tissue while tightening the underlying abdominal muscles.

Liposuction can be also applied to further reshape the body’s contour for a more aesthetically pleasing result. The belly button is repositioned and all incisions are closed with sutures. Being more invasive than other techniques, extended tummy tuck surgery requires general anesthesia in order to be performed and a recovery period of at least four weeks.

Which technique is better?

Abdominoplasty techniques differ from patient to patient according to several different factors including the patient’s weight, the amount of excess skin and fatty tissue, and their expectations from the procedure. Scarring from previous procedures can also play a role in determining which technique will be used.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Is Tummy Tuck Worth It? 

Yes, 86% of abdominoplasty patients seem to believe so. It’s worth noting that severely overweight patients tend to suffer more from complications after an abdominoplasty, so it’s essential to reach a healthy weight before considering this procedure. 

Mini Tummy Tuck vs Tummy Tuck – What is the difference? 

The main difference between a mini tummy tuck and a full abdominoplasty is the incision length and the amount of fat and skin that can be removed. 

Tummy Tuck vs Lipo – What’s the difference? 

In an abdominoplasty surgery, excess skin and fat are removed – in lipo or liposuction, just fat is removed. Liposuction is minimally invasive and the incisions are very small.