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Image of patient holding up their shirt, revealing lines on the stomach indicating where the doctor will make incisions during surgery

Abdominoplasty
(Tummy Tuck)

Abdominoplasty
(Tummy Tuck)

Image of patient holding up their shirt, revealing lines on the stomach indicating where the doctor will make incisions during surgery

Abdominoplasty
(Tummy Tuck)

• 0% Finance Available
• Available at our 11 Clinics Across the UK
• Care Quality Commission Regulated
• GMC Specialist Registered Surgeons

• 0% Finance Available
• Available at our 11 Clinics Across the UK
• Care Quality Commission Regulated
• GMC Specialist Registered Surgeons

Image of patient holding up their shirt, revealing lines on the stomach indicating where the doctor will make incisions during surgery

Medically Reviewed May 2022, by Mr Sankar - Chief Medical Officer for The Harley Medical Group. Next review due May 2024.

What is a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?

A Tummy Tuck, medically known as an Abdominoplasty, is a popular procedure for anyone carrying excess skin on their abdomen. As we gain weight, either through puberty, pregnancy, or lifestyle choices our skin stretches to accommodate our new shape. Rapid weight gain can cause the skin to develop stretch marks, and equally, if you lose weight too quickly, it can leave you with loose skin. In some cases, your skin may snap back as it once was, but most people may be left with loose skin on your tummy, as well as other areas including thighs and arms.

Feeling self-conscious about your figure can make it really difficult to be confident in yourself and can even stop you wearing outfits you'd love to look good in. Having a firm, flat stomach can make a huge difference to the way you feel and when it's not possible to achieve this through diet and exercise alone, Tummy Tuck surgery can be the right option.

Patient testimonial

I've now had my procedure and I'm grinning like a Cheshire Cat, I feel absolutely fantastic! I went on my first shopping trip last week and for the first time, I absolutely LOVED it! I didn't worry about whether clothes would fit or if they would suit my shape, it was amazing!

Tummy Tuck Examples

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What are the types of Tummy Tuck Procedures?

Here at The Harley Medical Group we offer two different types of Tummy Tuck procedure options for patients depending on what their unique needs are:

  • Mini Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
  • Full Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

During your consultation, you and your surgeon will discuss your individual requirements and learn what your overall goals are, allowing them to advise which Abdominoplasty procedure would be best for you.

What is a Mini Tummy Tuck and how does it work?

A Mini Tummy Tuck, or Partial Tummy Tuck targets a much smaller area i.e., below the belly button and above the bikini line. Whilst you are standing you may look like you have a perfect figure, but when you sit down, you have a small amount of skin that may sit above your bikini line or knickers. This excess skin is commonly the result of pregnancy or slight weight loss and cannot be addressed through exercise and healthy eating.

If you proceed with a Mini Abdominoplasty, any excess skin and fat below your belly button and above your bikini line will be removed and muscles in the area will be tightened. You will not see any difference above your navel, nor will the surgery treat the area around your hips as this would give an uneven result. If you feel that you would benefit from your hips being treated for a more defined result you can combine an Abdominoplasty with Liposuction or Vaser Liposuction.

The surgery itself will be performed under general anaesthetic and takes between one to two hours. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will then remove any excess skin before tightening the muscles and pulling the remaining skin into position and stitching back into place.
Following your surgery, you will have a small scar along the bikini line but over time it will fade becoming barely visible.

Mini Tummy Tuck recovery does require at least two weeks off work. If you have children, you will require assistance for their day-to-day care immediately following surgery.

What is a Full Tummy Tuck and how does it work?

A Full Abdominoplasty addresses areas of concern both above the belly button and below towards the bikini line, making it far more extensive than a Mini one. While you are standing, or sitting, if you have excess and loose skin clearly visible around your abdomen you may be suitable for the procedure. This excess loose skin is commonly the result of multiple pregnancies or significant weight loss and cannot be addressed through exercise and healthy eating.

If you proceed with a Full Abdominoplasty any excess, saggy skin and fat in the abdominal area will be removed and the skin and muscles tightened. In addition, stretch marks may also be removed. The overall result of a Tummy Tuck is a flat stomach with taut muscles; many people experience at least one drop in their dress size. For a more defined result many women choose to have a combined treatment with Liposuction to the hips and thighs at the same time.

The surgery itself will be performed under general anaesthetic and takes between two to three hours. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will make an incision across the base of your stomach, from hip to hip before repairing, repositioning, and tightening the damaged, stretched abdominal muscles with internal stitches. Your surgeon will then remove any excess saggy skin, muscle, and fat before pulling the remaining skin into position and stitching back into place.

Following your surgery, you will have a scar that sits from hip to hip and around the belly button. With dramatic weight loss your surgeon may be required to perform a double abdominoplasty which results in vertical scar from navel to rib cage and another from hip to hip. Any scars as results of surgery are generally hidden by underwear and over time, they will fade so they will barely be visible. If you want to aid the healing process talk to your surgeon about using oil on the incision at your six-week post-surgery consultation.

Why a Tummy Tuck may be right for you?

If you proceed with a Mini Abdominoplasty, any excess skin and fat below your belly button and above your bikini line will be removed and muscles in the area will be tightened. You will not see any difference above your navel, nor will the surgery treat the area around your hips as this would give an uneven result. If you feel that you would benefit from your hips being treated for a more defined result you can combine an Abdominoplasty with Liposuction or Vaser Liposuction.

The surgery itself will be performed under general anaesthetic and takes between one to two hours. Your Cosmetic Surgeon will then remove any excess skin before tightening the muscles and pulling the remaining skin into position and stitching back into place.

Following your surgery, you will have a scar, but this will sit along the bikini line, lower on the body than a Full Abdominoplasty scar. Your Mini Tummy Tuck scar will also be smaller, only a little larger than a C-Section scar, rather than the traditional hip-to-hip incision. Over time your scar will fade so it will be barely visible; if you want to aid the healing process talk to your surgeon about using oils, or similar products on the incision at your six-week post-surgery consultation.

Mini Tummy Tuck recovery does require time off work also, and some patience, as your body recovers. Following your overnight stay in hospital you will need to take at least two weeks off work. If you have children, you will require assistance for their day-to-day care immediately following surgery.

Tummy Tuck Before and Aftercare Explained

Your surgeon will explain in detail how best to prepare for your Tummy Tuck. If you smoke you will have to stop at least 6 weeks before your procedure to decrease the risk of a chest infection that can significantly slow down your recovery. You may also be advised to lose excess weight as you should be as close to your ideal weight as possible before your operation.

Your full and quick recovery is our main priority, that’s why you will be seen by a fully trained, qualified medical professional post-surgery to ensure your recovery and aftercare is a smooth process.Following your Tummy Tuck procedure, you will probably stay in hospital overnight so we can monitor your progress and ensure you’re recovering as expected. When you’re ready to go home we’ll give you printed advice to take with you as well as a number to call 24 hours a day if you have any questions or concerns. Follow up appointments will be arranged and it’s imperative you attend these so you can receive ongoing aftercare from your team of medical professionals.

Explore other Body Contouring options

Choice is always a good thing, it means that you can make the right decisions for you, based on your needs and your desired result.

Here at The Harley Medical Group, we also offer other Body Contouring procedures which could help you achieve your desired results:

Booking a free no obligation consultation will allow you to discuss with our expert patient advisors, which surgery options are best for you.

Tummy Tuck

Who will carry out your Tummy Tuck?

After booking your Tummy Tuck surgery, our Qualified Surgeons and Nurses will support on all pre and post operative procedures, providing all the support you need. With extensive experience in performing Tummy Tuck surgery, all our medically led team of expert Surgeons are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Cosmetic Surgery Nurses are NMC registered.

Patient care is our number one priority, and that is why we insist on a minimum of two pre-surgery consultations, a full assessment of your current health and medical history, and ongoing post-operative care. After your procedure you will receive an emergency phone number which means you are only moments away from speaking to your nurse or surgeon 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We are a trusted cosmetic surgery provider and are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). The CQC and HIW are executive non-departmental public bodies which are part of the UK governments Department of Health and Social Care.

Consultant Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon
Consultant Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon
Consultant Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck cost

Tummy tuck costs vary depending on requirements. Fees at The Harley Medical Group include:

  • your surgeon consultation appointment
  • pre-operative assessment
  • your procedure
  • hospital stay and aftercare.

At The Harley Medical Group, we offer various payment plans to accommodate different budgets, including a 0% finance option with a 12-month payment period.

View Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Guide Prices

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Frequently asked questions

Why choose The Harley Medical Group?

  • Tummy TuckOur medically led team of surgeons and cosmetic surgery nurses have many years' experience in performing TummyTuck procedures in our clinics nationwide
  • With extensive experience in performing Tummy Tuck surgery, all our Surgeons & Nurses are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC)

  • After your procedure you will receive an emergency phone number which means you are only moments away from speaking to your nurse or surgeon 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

  • Patient care and safety is our number one priority. That's why we insist on a minimum of two pre-surgery consultations, a full assessment of your current health and medical history before your surgery.

  • We provide some of the highest quality aftercare available, where you will continue to have full access to your medical team.

  • We have clinics located nationwide so you are never far away from your nearest clinic

  • All of our clinics are registered with the Care Quality Commission (England) and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales to ensure we always perform to the highest standards

  • Our surgeons are specialist Plastic Surgeons, by only performing cosmetic procedures that have become experts - or Masters - in their chosen field.
  • At The Harley Medical Group we only operate from world class facilities.

As an ethical Cosmetic Surgery provider, we do not perform Cosmetic Surgery on people under 18. We do not set an upper age limit for Tummy Tuck surgery. However, the older we get the longer it takes our bodies to recover, so your Cosmetic Surgeon will assess your current physical health and medical history to ensure you’re fit and well enough to undergo surgery.

The results of Tummy Tuck surgery will last for many years if you maintain a healthy weight.

However, it is important to be aware that our bodies change as we get older, so you may find that your skin loses some of its elasticity. If your weight fluctuates this may be exacerbated.

Because our bodies change dramatically during pregnancy, if you plan to have a family we recommend waiting to have Tummy Tuck surgery. However, this is not a medical requirement and is something you should discuss with your Cosmetic Surgeon.

No, we are unable to offer any surgery while you are pregnant or breast feeding. However, please contact us 6 months after giving birth or after breast feeding and talk to our friendly advisors to discuss next steps.

Yes. Tummy Tuck surgery is not a recommended weight loss method as it primarily tightens loose skin on the stomach.  If you have the surgery then lose a significant amount of weight, you may find that you need to have another Tummy Tuck to remove further loose skin.

In some cases it can but we can’t guarantee this. Because the surgery involves pulling the skin taut and removing any excess, for some people the appearance of stretch marks can be reduced.

Full recovery from Tummy Tuck surgery usually takes between six and eight weeks during this time you are required to wear a light support garment. Some bruising and swelling is expected post surgery. It’s important that you attend your post-operative follow up appointments. You will need to take up to two weeks off work following Tummy Tuck surgery. It’s likely you will need help with daily chores during the first week to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the lower abdominal area. In the first six weeks you should avoid any strenuous activities.

With a Full Tummy Tuck, the incision will be made as low on the abdomen as possible so any scar will sit below your hip line and be hidden by your underwear or bikini bottoms. An extensive tummy tuck may also require a scar from navel to breast bone.

With a Mini Tummy Tuck the incision will be made as lower on the abdomen, closer to the bikini line, and will be smaller - only slightly larger than a C-Section scar.

Your scar will be visible in the first few weeks but should fade quickly until it’s barely noticeable. If you’re worried about scarring, please talk to your Cosmetic Surgeon and read about our highly effective scar revision treatment.

 

The risks with Tummy Tuck surgery are the same as with any surgical procedure performed under a general anaesthetic. However, your Cosmetic Surgeon will talk you through these before you make any decisions.

You don’t need to take any long-term precautions, however you will need to avoid any strenuous exercise in the first six to eight weeks.

It is important that your Cosmetic Surgeon is fully qualified and experienced. To ensure your Cosmetic Surgeon is reputable, check the clinic is registered with The Care Quality Commission (CQC) or The Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). You should also look for Cosmetic Surgeons who are registered with The General Medical Council (GMC) and ask if they are carrying out Cosmetic Surgery procedures on a daily basis.

At The Harley Medical Group we highly recommend researching all of your options when considering surgery to ensure you are happy with your decision.

One possible option is the NHS, who operate with BAPRAS and BAAPS surgeons, and we highly recommended speacking with your GP to see if the NHS can help. However we have found that increasingly there is a reluctance to perform 'comsetic' procedures, particularly a tummy tuck, on the NHS.

We see many patients who explain that the wait for their procedure is either too long or they have been advised that they are not presently eligible. For example many women who come to us  have been told that they need to maintain a BMI below 25 for two years before they can be placed on the long waiting list. Often the excess skin is the cause of the increased weight and they find it impossible to drop their BMI lower.

Also, many surgeons who work with the NHS how are required to perform a wide number of surgerys, this means unless they are specialists e.g.gynaecologists they may not frequently perform tummy tuck procedures. At The harley Medical Group are surgeons are dedicated Cosmetic Surgeons who are specialists in their field of expertise.

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