A Guide to Tummy Tucks: Preparation, The Procedure & Recovery

What is a tummy tuck? 

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure to remove the excess fat and skin around the stomach and abdominal area. While crunches and sit-ups can help you strengthen this area, they do little to remove the stubborn belly fat and loose skin that causes a protruding tummy. That’s where the tummy tuck comes in. 

During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision so they can remove the excess fat and skin. They also tighten the tissue that holds the muscles in place to improve the function of the abdominal wall and create a more toned appearance. Some patients combine a tummy tuck with liposuction to remove fat from the ‘love handle’ area and improve the overall result. 

Read more: Liposuction vs. tummy tuck – which procedure is right for you?  

Who should or should not get a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is a popular procedure for men and women but it is not a quick fix for losing weight. To have a tummy tuck, you should be in good general health, have a healthy body mass index (BMI) and be close to your ideal weight – typically within 15-20 pounds. 

You might choose a tummy tuck if you have a weak lower abdominal wall and excess fat or skin around the belly button area that you cannot shift through exercise or diet. That may be caused by:

• Pregnancy
• Significant weight loss
• A previous surgical procedure
• Natural ageing    

Individuals who are not good candidates for a tummy tuck include those with a high body mass index (over 30), smokers and people with certain pre-existing health conditions. Many surgeons also advise against having the procedure until you have finished having children, as pregnancy can stretch the muscles and skin and affect the results of the procedure.  

Read more: Can I have a tummy tuck after a C-section?

What are the benefits of tummy tucks?

A tummy tuck can:

• Change the shape and tone of the abdomen 
• Create a firmer and smoother profile
• Restore and tighten separated or weakened muscles
• Improve bladder function
• Reduce skin infections and itching caused by excess skin 
• Make you feel more comfortable in your skin and boost your body image

Importantly, if you maintain your general health and weight, the results and benefits of a tummy tuck can last a lifetime. 

Preparing for your tummy tuck

If you are a suitable candidate for a tummy tuck and have goals the procedure can help you achieve, it’s worth thinking a little more about what the process will look like from your first contact with Enhance Medical. 

Consultation

The first step is the consultation. You will meet your surgeon in a private and comfortable consulting room at one of our UK clinics. They will take a detailed medical history and discuss the goals you want to achieve. They’ll ask you about your health and lifestyle, recommend the best tummy tuck options to meet your objectives and discuss the realistic outcome of the procedure along with the risk of complications.

They’ll also examine your abdomen to assess the quantity of fat, muscle tone and skin quality and take photographs for comparison purposes. Finally, your surgeon will plan your procedure with you and advise you on the steps you should take to prepare. 

Pre-operation 

After the initial consultation, you’ll have a pre-operative visit to review consents, receive prescriptions for medications and ask any other questions you have. At this point, you’ll also receive information to help you plan for the surgery. You’ll be advised on what to wear, who to bring with you and the steps you can take to aid your recovery. 

How to prepare and what to avoid 

To prepare for the tummy tuck, your surgeon will ask that you stop smoking for a period as it increases the risk of complications and delays the healing process. They’ll also ask that you eat well-balanced, nutritious meals before and after the procedure to help you heal. You may also have to stop taking certain medications or dietary supplements.

There are also some practical tips to follow. For example, before the procedure, it’s worth setting up your home so the items you need are within arm’s reach in the first couple of days after the procedure. You should think about who will drive you home after the procedure, what you’ll eat and who is on hand to help you prepare it. Someone should also stay with you for at least 24 hours after the operation.   

What happens during the tummy tuck procedure? 

A tummy tuck takes between one and three hours depending on the complexity of the procedure and the quantity of skin and fat being removed. It will be performed under general anaesthetic and usually requires an overnight stay. 

The exact procedure depends on whether you have a full or mini tummy tuck. In a full tummy tuck, your surgeon will make an incision between the belly button and the pubic area to give them access to the muscle and tissue. They’ll then remove the unwanted skin and fat and tighten the supporting muscles. 

Your surgeon will make an opening to move the belly button into position and drain any fluid. Finally, they’ll close the incision sites and cover them with bandages. Your incision scar will fall along the natural crease within the bikini line to make it less visible. 

Your surgeon may perform a mini tummy tuck if you have less excess fat and sagging skin. Although it involves the same techniques, the procedure is less invasive and focuses on the area below the belly button so the recovery period is usually shorter.

You’ll receive an antibiotic to prevent infection during the procedure and be kept under observation until the anaesthetic wears off. 

Is a tummy tuck safe and what are the risks and side effects? 

As with cosmetic surgery, there are risks associated with a tummy tuck, but it’s generally considered a safe procedure. A Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery study found that complications occur in just 4% of cases. You can reduce the risks by choosing a qualified surgeon with specific experience in tummy tuck procedures. 

In the UK, all surgeons must be registered with the General Medical Council. Many are also members of professional bodies such as The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) and The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS). 

We advise against travelling abroad for a tummy tuck or any other cosmetic procedure. We appreciate that the prices can be attractive, but a lack of aftercare, flying after an operation and lower levels of regulation all increase the risks. 

The expected side effects of a tummy tuck include a scar that runs horizontally across your bikini line. If you have a full tummy tuck, you’ll also have a scar around your belly button. You’ll experience pain and bruising for the first week and find it difficult to stand up straight initially. You may also experience numbness in your tummy that usually lasts a few months. 

The most common complications of tummy tucks are:

• Thick and obvious scarring
• Wounds not healing properly
• Excessive bleeding
• Stomach cramps or pain
• Infection
• A build-up of fluid (seroma)
• Blood clots 
• Breathing problems

Tummy tuck scars

A permanent scar will form at the incision sites. The main scar along the lower abdomen is usually easily hidden in the bikini line. Over time, this scar will fade and change colour, from purple to red and pink before slowly fading to white over 18 months to two years. 

If we remove abdominal tissue around the belly button or reposition your belly button as part of the procedure, you’ll also have a small scar around the central abdomen. That scar typically fades and blends in well over time. 

Recovering from a tummy tuck

The first week after surgery will be the most uncomfortable and your tummy will be swollen, bruised and sore. You should get plenty of rest but also try to walk for a few minutes every hour to keep your blood circulating. You may struggle to stand up straight until your sutures are removed.

After a couple of weeks, you’ll start feeling more like yourself and may be ready to return to work. You’ll probably still be bruised and numb and have a tightness around your abdomen, but that will start to ease. 

By the third and fourth week, the pain and swelling will be just about gone and you should be able to do light exercise, although you must still avoid strenuous abdominal exercises such as weight lifting or situps. With your surgeon’s approval, you can return to full activity levels by around week six.  

After around three months, you’ll have a good idea of the final result of the procedure, although the swelling will continue to go down over the next few months and the scarring will improve. 

We provide comprehensive surgery aftercare throughout the recovery process, including regular follow-up appointments. We also ask that you contact us at any time if you experience pain, bleeding or swelling or notice potential complications. 

Discuss your tummy tuck goals with an Enhance Medical surgeon

The first step in your tummy tuck journey with Enhance Medical is to book a free consultation. We will discuss your goals and outline what you can realistically achieve with a tummy tuck. Our specialist surgeons are registered with and licensed by the GMC and will carefully guide you throughout the process.