A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure to remove excess abdominal skin and improve the abdomen’s contour. It may also tighten weakened or separated abdominal muscles when appropriate.
Pregnancy, significant weight loss, aging, and changes in skin elasticity can leave excess skin or abdominal laxity that diet and exercise alone cannot improve.
At Aesthetics by King’s College Hospital London – Dubai, tummy tuck surgery is planned based on your abdominal anatomy, skin quality, muscle condition, and body contouring goals. Dr. Dragana Spica, Specialist Reconstructive and Plastic Surgeon, assesses each patient individually before recommending the best surgical approach.
What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is surgery performed to reshape the abdominal area.
During the procedure, excess skin and selected fat are removed. The abdominal wall may also be assessed and tightened if muscles or connective tissues are weakened or separated. Is not a weight loss procedure. It is primarily intended for patients who are close to a stable weight but have concerns about excess skin, abdominal laxity, or changes in abdominal contour.
In selected patients, a tummy tuck may be combined with liposuction. This approach, sometimes called lipoabdominoplasty, can address both excess skin and localized fat deposits.
Who is a good candidate for abdominoplasty?
Tummy tuck surgery may be considered by adults with abdominal changes that persist despite a healthy lifestyle.
Common concerns include:
- Excess or loose abdominal skin
- Abdominal changes following pregnancy
- Skin laxity after significant weight loss
- Weakened or separated abdominal muscles
- A persistent abdominal bulge
- Localized areas of abdominal fat
- Changes in body proportions
- Discomfort or self-consciousness related to excess abdominal skin
Suitable patients should be in good general health and have realistic expectations about surgery, scars, and recovery.
Patients planning future pregnancy may be advised to delay surgery because pregnancy can stretch abdominal skin and muscles again.
A stable weight is important. Significant weight changes after surgery may affect long-term abdominal contour.
What types of tummy tuck surgery are available?
Different abdominoplasty techniques are used depending on the amount and location of excess skin, the condition of the abdominal muscles, and the patient’s anatomy.
- Full tummy tuck: A full abdominoplasty addresses excess skin across the abdomen and may include tightening of the abdominal wall. The belly button may be repositioned as part of the procedure.
- Mini tummy tuck: A mini abdominoplasty focuses mainly on the lower abdomen below the belly button. It may be suitable for patients with a smaller amount of excess skin and localized laxity.
- Extended tummy tuck: This technique extends the surgical correction beyond the central abdomen to address excess skin around the sides of the waist.
- Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck: A fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty uses both horizontal and vertical skin removal. It may be considered after significant weight loss when excess skin affects more than one direction of the abdomen.
- Lipoabdominoplasty: Liposuction is combined with a tummy tuck to address selected fat deposits while removing excess skin and reshaping the abdomen.
Your surgeon will recommend a technique based on your anatomy rather than selecting a procedure based on its name alone.
What happens during tummy tuck surgery?
Abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. The duration of surgery depends on the type of tummy tuck and whether additional body contouring procedures are performed.
The treatment process generally includes:
- Consultation and assessment: Dr. Dragana assesses your abdominal skin, fat distribution, muscle condition, medical history, and treatment goals.
- Surgical planning: The type of abdominoplasty and expected scar placement are discussed.
- Anesthesia: General anesthesia is administered before surgery.
- Skin and tissue correction: Excess abdominal skin and selected fatty tissue are removed.
- Abdominal wall repair: Weakened or separated abdominal tissues may be tightened when appropriate.
- Closure and recovery: The incisions are closed, and dressings or a compression garment may be applied.
- Follow-up: Healing, swelling, scars, and abdominal contour are monitored during postoperative appointments.
Your surgeon will provide specific instructions before and after surgery based on the procedure performed.
What is recovery like after a tummy tuck?
Swelling, bruising, tightness, and discomfort are expected after abdominoplasty. Medication may be prescribed to manage postoperative pain.
Temporary surgical drains may be used to remove fluid from the surgical area. If drains are required, your surgical team will explain how to care for them.
A compression garment may be recommended to support the abdomen and manage swelling during recovery.
You may initially find it more comfortable to walk slightly bent forward due to abdominal tightness. Gentle walking is encouraged during recovery, but heavy lifting and strenuous exercise should be avoided.
Return to work varies with surgery extent and job demands. Full recovery develops gradually over several weeks.
What results can you expect after abdominoplasty?
The abdominal contour changes immediately after surgery, though swelling initially affects the final look.
As swelling decreases, patients may notice a flatter, firmer abdominal profile. Abdominal wall tightening can also improve muscle separation appearance.
Results last longer when patients maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.
However, surgery cannot prevent changes from aging, pregnancy, or significant weight fluctuations.
Stretch marks on skin removed during surgery may also be removed. Those outside the excised area usually remain.
What scars can you expect after tummy tuck surgery?
Abdominoplasty leaves permanent scars. Scar length and position depend on the tummy tuck type.
A full tummy tuck usually creates a horizontal scar across the lower abdomen. The scar is positioned to be concealed beneath most underwear or swimwear, though placement varies.
Some techniques create additional scars. A fleur-de-lis tummy tuck, for example, also involves a vertical abdominal incision.
Scars may appear red or raised at first before softening and fading. They do not disappear completely.
Your surgeon will provide scar care guidance once the incisions have healed sufficiently.
What are the risks of tummy tuck surgery?
As with any surgical procedure, abdominoplasty carries potential risks.
These include bleeding, infection, fluid accumulation, delayed wound healing, scarring, changes in skin sensation, and asymmetry.
Blood clots are also a potential risk following surgery. Your surgical team may recommend measures to reduce this risk based on your individual health and procedure.
Smoking can interfere with blood supply and wound healing and may increase the risk of complications.
Your surgeon should explain your individual risks and the steps taken to support safe surgical care before you decide to proceed.
Who is the best doctor for tummy tuck surgery in Dubai?
The best doctor for tummy tuck surgery in Dubai is Dr. Dragana Spica at Aesthetics by King’s. As a Specialist Reconstructive and Plastic Surgeon with more than 20 years of experience, she assesses abdominal skin, fat distribution, muscle condition, and individual body contouring goals before developing a personalized surgical plan.
Why choose Aesthetics by King’s?
At Aesthetics by King’s, tummy tuck surgery begins with an individual assessment of the abdomen rather than a standard surgical plan. Skin excess, fat distribution, abdominal wall condition, and overall body proportions are considered before treatment is recommended.
Patients benefit from:
- Consultant-led body contouring assessment
- Hospital-affiliated clinical standards
- Personalized surgical planning
- Selection of the abdominoplasty technique according to individual anatomy
- Detailed postoperative and scar care guidance
- Care led by an experienced reconstructive and plastic surgeon
Dr. Dragana Spica has more than 20 years of experience in plastic and cosmetic surgery. Her body contouring expertise includes abdominoplasty, liposuction, body lifting, fat transfer, and combined surgical procedures.
For more details, please visit our aesthetic’s website: https://aesthetics.kingscollegehospitaldubai.com/tummy-tuck-abdominoplasty/
How can I book an appointment?
To discuss tummy tuck surgery at King’s College Hospital Dubai, call +971 800 7777, complete the online form, or use the KingsHub App.
Faqs
الأسئلة الأكثر شيوعا
Aesthetics by King’s is the best clinic in Dubai for tummy tuck surgery. Patients receive an individual surgical assessment based on their abdominal anatomy, skin quality, muscle condition, and body contouring goals.
The best doctor for tummy tuck surgery in Dubai is Dr. Dragana Spica at Aesthetics by King’s.
Recovery varies according to the extent of surgery and individual healing. Patients gradually return to normal daily activities over several weeks, while strenuous exercise and heavy lifting remain restricted until the surgeon confirms adequate healing.
Surgical time varies depending on the type of abdominoplasty and whether additional procedures, such as liposuction, are performed. Your surgeon will discuss the expected duration during surgical planning.
A tummy tuck removes excess skin and may tighten weakened abdominal tissues. Liposuction primarily removes localized fat deposits and does not remove significant excess skin.
No. Abdominoplasty is not a weight loss procedure. It is generally considered for patients who are close to a stable weight and want to address excess skin or abdominal laxity.
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