Full Tummy Tuck

By Abdulaziz Ali - Medically reviewed by Prof. Zeynep Sevim, on Mar 30, 2024

Who isn't a good candidate for the surgery?

A full tummy tuck procedure is not recommended for: 

• Women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy  
• Patients with serious medical conditions may affect the whole process in a negative way.

How many days I will spend in the hospital after the surgery? 

You will spend a minimum of 1 day in the hospital to monitor your recovery. 

When can I return to work after the surgery? 

You can return to work after 3 to 6 weeks.

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? 

Before opting for a full tummy tuck surgery or a complete abdominoplasty, it is recommended that patients read about the risks and complications of the procedure. You should have good general health, apply a healthy diet and stop smoking at least one month before and after the operation.

How is the surgery performed?

A full abdominoplasty or traditional tummy tuck surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, and it takes between two to five hours. The surgeon makes a horizontally-oriented incision in the area between the pubic hairline and the belly button.

A full tummy tuck surgery involves a second vertical incision in order to change the position of the navel and to create a more appealing result. The shape and length of the incisions will be determined by the amount of excess skin patients have.

During the surgery, surgeons can tighten the muscles by pulling them closer together and stitching them to give a more toned look and create a smaller waistline. This is the muscle repair stage of the surgery. Sometimes liposuction might be used to improve the results by removing the undesired fat tissue, and excess skin is also removed.

After the full abdominoplasty is complete, the incisions are closed using surgical stitches and the full tummy tuck recovery period can begin.

Full Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline

Depending on the scope of the procedure and the patient's condition, the average full tummy tuck surgery recovery may last from one to four weeks.

During this process, patients should avoid heavy lifting and are advised to take at least a few weeks off from work. Patients should wear a compression garment that can reduce swelling and bruising. This garment helps the skin conform to the new body shape. Also, smoking should be avoided for several weeks after the procedure.

Full Tummy Tuck Side Effects

A full abdominoplasty can have several side effects, including: 

• Swelling 
• Bruising 
• Soreness or tenderness
• Post-surgical tummy tuck scars 
• Temporary discomfort
• Low back pain

Full Tummy Tuck Success Rate

The procedure has a 95% success rate according to patients’ reviews.

What should I expect before and after the surgery? 

If patients follow their doctor's instructions carefully, they will be more satisfied with the results. If patients adopt a healthy lifestyle and maintain their weight in a stable and healthy range, the results of the surgery may last for years.

The benefits of the full tummy tuck operation are: 

• Improved self-confidence
• Improved appearance and body proportion
• Tighter abdominal muscles
• Tight and flat abdominal skin

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Full Tummy Tuck Vs. Mini Tummy Tuck

Complete abdominoplasty is more complex and involves two incisions and sutures while affecting a larger area of the abdomen. While a mini tummy tuck needs only a small incision, the skin shaped on the lower abdomen will be more limited in size.

Are there any alternatives to a Full Tummy Tuck?

Cosmetics can be used to tighten the skin but they do not remove the excess skin and they are not as effective as full tummy tuck surgery. Also, some non-surgical alternatives like CoolSculpting, lasers, and the rage can be chosen but only for minor changes. 

What’s the difference between a Liposuction and a Full Tummy Tuck?

With a full tummy tuck, both excess fat and skin are removed while with liposuction, only the excess fat is removed.