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Tummy tuck

Abdominoplasty · Dermolipectomy

Removing excess abdominal skin and repairing separated abdominal muscles — the most requested procedure after pregnancy and after major weight loss.

Tummy tuck
Duration2–4 hours
AnaesthesiaGeneral
Hospital stayOne night
Back to work10–14 days

Who this procedure suits

A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss operation. It solves a mechanical problem: skin that has lost its elasticity and muscles that have separated and will not come back with exercise.

A good candidate if

  • After pregnancy, particularly with abdominal muscle separation (diastasis)
  • After major weight loss with excess skin that does not respond to exercise
  • Lower abdominal laxity with a previous caesarean scar
  • Stable weight for at least six months

Not suitable if

  • Current smoking — must stop at least four weeks before
  • Planning a pregnancy within the next two years
  • Uncontrolled diabetes or untreated clotting disorders
  • Expecting the surgery itself to reduce your weight

How the procedure is performed

Consultation

Clinical examination, measurement of muscle separation, photography, and discussion of exactly where the scar will sit — drawn on your body and agreed before surgery.

Preparation

Blood work, anaesthetic assessment, stopping blood thinners, stopping smoking four weeks ahead. You receive a written checklist.

Surgery

A horizontal incision low on the abdomen within the underwear line, removal of excess skin, suturing of the separated muscles, and repositioning of the navel. May be combined with waist liposuction when clinically appropriate.

Follow-up

One night in hospital, then reviews on day 3, week 1, week 3 and month 3. For international patients, video follow-up after you return home.

Tummy tuck

Recovery — what actually happens

Day 1–3Pain controlled with medication. Short walks, slightly bent. Compression garment around the clock. Drains usually in place.
Week 1Drains normally removed. Gradually standing upright. No lifting above 2 kg.
Week 2–4Return to desk work at day 10–14. Visible swelling is still normal. Garment continues.
Month 2–3Gradual return to exercise with clearance. The shape begins to settle.
Month 6–12Result stabilises. The scar continues to lighten gradually, though it remains permanently visible.

Honest medicine — the risks

Every surgical procedure carries potential risks. Risks vary with the procedure and your health, and the surgeon will discuss them with you along with the measures used to reduce them:

The scarPermanent. We place it as low as possible within the underwear line, but it will not disappear.
Fluid collection (seroma)The most common issue. Reduced with drains, compression, and progressive tension sutures.
Skin numbnessCommon across the lower abdomen; improves over 6–12 months and may remain partial.
Blood clotsA real but uncommon risk. Reduced with early walking, compression stockings, and sometimes anticoagulation.
Delayed wound healingMore frequent in smokers, diabetics, and after major weight loss. This is why we require stopping smoking four weeks before surgery.
InfectionThe second most common complication. Reduced with prophylactic antibiotics, strict sterile technique, and written wound-care instructions.
Minor asymmetryBodies are asymmetric to begin with; the goal is improvement, not mathematical perfection.

Frequently asked questions

Will the scar be visible?

Yes — the scar is permanent. It is placed horizontally low on the abdomen, within the underwear or swimwear line. For the first three months it is red and raised, then lightens progressively over 6–12 months into a faint line. You receive a written scar-care protocol.

When can I fly after surgery?

Flight timing is decided individually based on your recovery and clot risk, but as general guidance: short flights (under four hours) are typically possible from around 10–14 days, and long-haul from around three weeks, always with compression stockings and hourly movement. For patients coming from the Gulf we typically plan a 10–14 day stay in Abu Dhabi, confirmed at your consultation.

Can it be combined with liposuction?

Yes, when clinically appropriate — this is called lipoabdominoplasty. Liposuction of the waist and flanks can noticeably improve the waistline, and Dr. Roseli will advise whether it suits your case at the consultation.

How is it different from a mommy makeover?

A mommy makeover is not one operation; it is a combination that pairs a tummy tuck with a breast procedure (lift or augmentation) in a single session, for patients who prefer one recovery.

Will it affect a future pregnancy?

Pregnancy after a tummy tuck is possible and medically safe, but it will stretch the skin and muscles again and undo the result. We advise completing family planning first.

Is it covered by insurance?

Usually not, as it is classified as cosmetic. The exception is an abdominal hernia or recurrent skin infection under a skin fold, where insurers may cover part. Assessed case by case.

Is this procedure right for you?

The only correct answer comes from a clinical examination. Book a consultation — in person, or by video if you are outside the UAE.

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