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.
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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.

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.
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.