Tummy Tuck: A Firmer Stomach, a Stronger Sense of Well-Being
After pregnancy or weight loss, your body deserves balance again. A tummy tuck restores not only contour, but confidence - expertly, safely and tailored to who you are today.
Body Corrections
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A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat on the middle and lower parts of the abdomen. It also tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall. A tummy tuck is often done after pregnancy or when a person has lost a tremendous amount of weight. Most patients who undergo a tummy tuck have a lot more self-confidence afterwards.
When to choose a tummy tuck?
- If you have a hanging belly, stretch marks on your belly or excess skin around your belly that won't go away with diet or exercise.
- If the shape of your abdomen is affected due to pregnancy or extreme weight loss.
- If you feel that your belly does not look nice.
- If you are insecure due to the shape and size of your abdomen.
Not sure if you’re a good candidate? In our article , “Tummy Tuck: What, Who, and How,” you’ll learn who can benefit from the procedure, how it differs from liposuction, and when rectus diastasis is a factor in the decision.
Patients who still want to achieve significant weight loss should postpone a tummy tuck. The same applies to women who still have a desire to have children, as pregnancy can again negate the effect of the surgery.
Abdominoplasty: the treatment
A tummy tuck is done under general anesthesia and takes about an hour and a half to two hours. The abdominal skin is completely detached from the underlying muscle layer and the belly button is circumcised, leaving it in place. The surgeon then tightens the skin and the excess skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue are removed. Should the abdominal muscles be sagging and stretched, they are immediately tightened again. We make a small hole in the abdominal skin to allow the navel to come out again. Drains are placed during surgery so that wound fluid can be drained. Scars after a tummy tuck run around the navel and bikini area.
Recovery after a tummy tuck
In general, a tummy tuck is somewhat painful, especially when the muscles are sutured you will have a tight feeling. After surgery, the wound is taped with band-aids, and the drains remain in place until there is no longer much wound fluid. Allow for a day or two. If, after the tummy tuck, your abdominal muscles have also been tightened, you will need 1 day of strict bed rest after surgery. In addition, for the first six weeks after surgery, you should not lift or press too heavily. A lipo panty, supportive corset, or abdominal band is necessary to allow the abdominal wall to tighten properly. The total recovery period is about four to six weeks, after which all movements are possible again as usual. The sutures dissolve on their own, and massage with cream or lotion can help make the scars supple. Start doing this after the wound has healed, usually about three weeks after surgery.
The Results After a Tummy Tuck: What You'll See and When
Immediately after the procedure, your abdomen will be tighter, but that’s not the final result yet. During the first few weeks, you’ll mainly notice swelling and a tight feeling, and the scar line will be clearly visible and red. That’s to be expected: at that point, your body is still in the midst of healing.
After six to eight weeks, most of the swelling has subsided and the new contours begin to emerge. For most patients, this is when they notice a noticeable difference in how their clothes fit—often the first time they can really feel the difference.
The final result takes longer to appear. Expect it to take six months to a year for the last of the swelling to subside and for the scar to fade into a fine, light line. That line is placed as low as possible so that it is covered by underwear or a bikini bottom. How quickly this happens and what the scar will ultimately look like varies from person to person and depends, among other things, on your skin type.
The results will last as long as your weight remains stable. Significant weight gain or another pregnancy could alter your body contours again. That’s why, during the consultation, we’ll also discuss your long-term plans—not out of curiosity, but because they help determine whether now is the right time.
Abdominoplasty at Duinbergen Clinic
Tummy tucks are performed at Duinbergen Clinic in Knokke under general anesthesia and require an overnight stay. The procedure is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Our clinic is QuADA-accredited, and our surgeon is a member of the Royal Belgian Society for Plastic Surgery and ISAPS.
It all starts with a consultation. During this consultation, we assess the condition of your skin and abdominal muscles, discuss which technique is best suited to your situation, and explain what you can realistically expect. You will receive a detailed cost estimate. By law, at least fifteen days must elapse between your signed consent and the procedure—a cooling-off period that is in place for good reason.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tummy Tucks
How much does a tummy tuck cost?
The price depends on the extent of the procedure: from a minor correction of the lower abdomen to a full abdominoplasty with repair of the abdominal muscles and repositioning of the navel. The type of anesthesia, the duration of the surgery, and the length of the hospital stay also contribute to the total cost.
Because every abdomen is different, we do not provide a price estimate without seeing you first. During the consultation, the plastic surgeon will assess what is needed, and you will receive a detailed and personalized estimate—including exactly what is included in the price.
Is a tummy tuck covered by insurance?
A purely cosmetic tummy tuck is not eligible for reimbursement. However, if there is a medical reason, the situation is different: in cases of severe rectus diastasis or a skin flap that causes persistent skin irritation or infections, part of the procedure may be eligible for reimbursement.
Whether this applies to you depends on your diagnosis and the applicable criteria. We will assess this during your consultation and provide you with a written explanation of the distinction so that you can discuss it with your health insurance provider.
What is the difference between a full tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck?
In a full tummy tuck—also known as abdominoplasty—the skin of the entire abdomen is detached, the abdominal muscles are repaired if necessary, and the navel is repositioned. The scar runs from hip to hip.
A mini-tummy tuck is limited to the area below the navel. The scar is shorter and recovery is faster, but this procedure is only suitable when the excess skin is located below the navel and the abdominal muscles are intact. Which option is right for you depends on the condition of your skin and muscles, not on any prior preference.
When can I return to work and exercise after a tummy tuck?
Most patients return to office work after two to three weeks. Jobs that involve heavy lifting or a lot of standing usually require a longer recovery period. Walking is permitted and even encouraged starting from the first few days, in consultation with your surgeon.
Abdominal exercises and intense physical activity should not be resumed until several months have passed, as the abdominal wall needs time to heal. During that time, you will wear a support garment. The final results will be visible once the swelling has completely subsided.
Will there be a visible scar after a tummy tuck?
Yes. A tummy tuck always leaves a scar—that’s part of the procedure, and we’re open about it. The scar is placed as low as possible so that it’s covered by underwear or a bikini bottom.
In the first few months, the scar will be red and raised; after that, it will gradually fade into a fine line. How it will ultimately look varies from person to person and depends, among other things, on your skin type and how you care for the scar. We’ll guide you through this during your post-operative care.
Contacting us for a tummy tuck
Would you also like to have a tummy tuck performed by the specialists at Duinbergen Clinic? Then contact us so we can invite you for a consultation to discuss the many possibilities together. Every person and every situation is different, but you can rest assured that we will always look for the best solution for you.
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