Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck surgery in Turkey

A tummy tuck, medically known as abdominoplasty, is surgery designed to reshape the abdomen by removing excess skin and addressing loose abdominal tissues.

It is commonly considered after significant weight loss, pregnancy or changes in body shape that leave skin and tissue which cannot be improved through weight loss or exercise alone.

Depending on your anatomy, the operation may also involve repair of separated abdominal muscles and liposuction to improve surrounding contours.

At EsteTurkey Group in Istanbul, the surgical plan is based on the amount and location of excess skin, abdominal wall condition, fat distribution and your overall body proportions.

Not every patient needs the same type of tummy tuck.

What can a tummy tuck improve?

Tummy tuck surgery may address:

• Loose or hanging abdominal skin
• Excess skin following significant weight loss
• Changes to the abdomen after pregnancy
• Lower abdominal skin folds
• Abdominal muscle separation in suitable patients
• Reduced definition of the waist and abdomen
• Areas of excess fat when combined with liposuction
• Certain stretch marks located within the skin that is removed

A tummy tuck is primarily a body-contouring procedure rather than a weight-loss operation.

The amount of skin removed and the resulting contour depend on your starting anatomy.

Who is a good candidate for a tummy tuck?

You may be suitable for tummy tuck surgery if you have significant loose or excess abdominal skin that is unlikely to improve through exercise or further weight loss.

Patients commonly consider the procedure after pregnancy or substantial weight loss.

Your weight should ideally be relatively stable before surgery, as significant changes after the operation can affect the result.

Your general health, BMI, medications, previous abdominal surgery, smoking or nicotine use and plans for future pregnancy are also important when assessing suitability.

Tummy tuck after weight loss

Significant weight loss can reduce abdominal fat while leaving behind skin that has lost much of its elasticity.

In these patients, the concern may extend beyond the lower abdomen. Loose skin can affect the upper abdomen, sides of the body and other areas as well.

This is why patients following major weight loss sometimes require a different surgical approach from someone whose main concern is lower abdominal laxity after pregnancy.

The location and direction of the excess skin determine which type of tummy tuck is likely to provide the most appropriate correction.

Full tummy tuck

A full tummy tuck is designed to address excess skin and tissue across the abdomen.

The procedure generally involves an incision across the lower abdomen. Excess skin is removed, the remaining abdominal skin is repositioned and the belly button is brought through the newly positioned skin.

When abdominal muscle separation is present and repair is appropriate, this can also be addressed during surgery.

The length of the incision and amount of skin removed depend on the patient's anatomy.

What is an FDL tummy tuck?

An FDL tummy tuck, or fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty, is a more extensive form of tummy tuck used in selected patients with significant excess skin.

Unlike a standard tummy tuck, which primarily removes excess tissue in a horizontal direction, an FDL tummy tuck removes skin in both horizontal and vertical directions.

This requires an additional vertical incision through the abdomen as well as the lower horizontal incision.

FDL surgery can therefore improve significant laxity through the central and upper abdomen that may not be adequately corrected with a standard tummy tuck alone.

It is most commonly considered after substantial weight loss or when there is considerable loose skin across multiple areas of the abdomen.

Do I need a standard tummy tuck or FDL?

This depends primarily on where your loose skin is located and how much laxity is present.

If excess skin can be adequately addressed through a lower horizontal incision, a standard tummy tuck may be sufficient.

If there is substantial skin laxity extending through the upper and central abdomen, removing skin only horizontally may leave residual looseness.

In selected patients, the vertical component of an FDL allows the abdomen to be tightened in an additional direction.

Clear photographs from the front, side and back are therefore important when assessing patients who have experienced significant weight loss.

Does a tummy tuck repair separated abdominal muscles?

Pregnancy and significant changes in abdominal volume can sometimes leave separation between the abdominal muscles, known as rectus diastasis.

When clinically appropriate, the abdominal wall can be tightened during tummy tuck surgery.

The surgeon assesses the abdominal wall and determines whether repair should form part of the surgical plan.

Tummy tuck vs liposuction

Tummy tuck and liposuction address different problems.

Liposuction removes localised fat deposits but does not remove significant loose skin.

Tummy tuck removes excess abdominal skin and reshapes loose abdominal tissues.

This distinction is particularly important when a patient has both excess fat and significant skin laxity.

Removing fat alone from an abdomen with poor skin elasticity can leave the loose skin still present and, in some patients, make the laxity more noticeable.

For this reason, photographs need to be assessed before deciding whether liposuction alone is appropriate.

Can tummy tuck and 360 liposuction be combined?

In suitable patients, yes.

A tummy tuck primarily addresses loose abdominal skin and the abdominal wall, while 360 liposuction can address selected fat deposits around the abdomen, waist, flanks and back.

Combining the procedures can therefore treat both skin laxity and surrounding body contour.

However, the amount of liposuction and areas treated must be planned according to the individual patient and overall surgical safety.

Not every patient requires 360 liposuction as part of a tummy tuck.

Can a hernia be repaired during a tummy tuck?

Certain abdominal wall hernias may be addressed at the time of tummy tuck surgery in appropriately selected patients.

Whether this is possible depends on the type, size and location of the hernia and the patient's medical history.

If you have a known or suspected hernia, this should be disclosed before surgery and relevant medical reports or imaging should be provided where available.

The surgical team can then determine whether simultaneous repair is appropriate or whether additional specialist assessment is required.

Where is the tummy tuck scar?

A tummy tuck creates a permanent scar across the lower abdomen.

Its exact length depends on the amount of skin that needs to be removed and the patient's anatomy.

The incision is generally planned low enough to be concealed by underwear or swimwear where anatomy allows.

An FDL tummy tuck also creates a vertical abdominal scar because skin is removed in an additional direction.

Scars are initially more noticeable and change gradually over the following months. Their final appearance varies between patients.

What happens to the belly button during a tummy tuck?

During a full tummy tuck, the abdominal skin is repositioned while the belly button remains attached to its underlying structure.

An opening is then created in the newly positioned skin so the belly button can be brought through at an appropriate location.

Its final appearance depends on anatomy, surgical technique and healing.

Belly button position and shape form an important part of planning a natural-looking abdominal contour.

Tummy tuck recovery: what should you expect?

Tummy tuck recovery is more involved than recovery from liposuction alone.

Swelling, tightness and discomfort are expected during the early period. Patients usually need to walk slightly bent forward initially because of tension across the abdominal incision.

Mobility gradually improves as healing progresses.

A compression garment is commonly used during recovery, and postoperative instructions regarding movement, sleeping position, wound care and physical activity should be followed carefully.

Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise remain restricted until the surgeon considers it safe to resume them.

Recovery varies depending on whether surgery involves a standard tummy tuck, FDL, muscle repair, liposuction or additional procedures.

Your tummy tuck journey in Istanbul

Your treatment begins with an in-person consultation and pre-operative tests after you arrive in Istanbul.

The surgeon assesses your abdominal skin, fat distribution, abdominal wall and overall body contour before confirming the surgical plan.

Surgery is normally performed the following day.

After your hospital stay, you continue your recovery at the hotel with daily nurse visits and scheduled surgeon follow-ups.

Your treatment plan also includes coordination of your transfers, postoperative medication and required compression garments.

For larger body procedures, sufficient recovery time in Istanbul is particularly important before flying home. Your exact recommended stay will therefore be confirmed according to the procedures included in your surgical plan.

Tummy tuck before and after

Before-and-after photographs can demonstrate changes in loose skin, abdominal contour and waist definition.

When comparing results, look for patients whose starting anatomy resembles your own.

A patient following significant weight loss may require a very different operation from someone seeking correction after pregnancy.

Also consider when the postoperative photograph was taken. Swelling can remain for months and scars continue to mature considerably after the early recovery period.

How long do tummy tuck results last?

The skin and tissue removed during tummy tuck surgery do not return in the same way, but your body can continue to change.

Significant weight gain or loss, pregnancy and natural ageing can all affect the abdominal contour after surgery.

Maintaining a relatively stable weight helps preserve the result.

How much does a tummy tuck cost in Turkey?

The cost of tummy tuck surgery depends on the extent of the procedure and your individual surgical plan.

A standard tummy tuck, FDL tummy tuck and tummy tuck combined with 360 liposuction involve different surgical requirements and therefore should not automatically have the same price.

Additional procedures, muscle repair or other medical considerations may also affect your treatment plan.

After your photographs and medical information have been reviewed, EsteTurkey Group provides an individual surgical recommendation and quotation with the inclusions clearly explained.

What is included in your treatment plan?

Your treatment package typically includes:

• Your planned surgery
• Pre-operative tests
• Hospital stay
• Hotel accommodation
• VIP airport, hospital and hotel transfers
• Postoperative medications
• Required compression garment
• Daily nurse visits during hotel recovery
• Scheduled surgeon follow-ups
• English-speaking patient coordination
• Continued communication after returning home

Flights are not included.

Your exact inclusions and recommended stay in Istanbul will be confirmed in your individual quotation.

Start with an individual tummy tuck assessment

If you are unsure whether you need liposuction, a standard tummy tuck or an FDL tummy tuck, you do not need to decide this yourself.

Send us clear photographs from the front, side and back together with your height, weight, medical information and any previous abdominal surgery.

Our medical team can assess the location of excess skin, fat distribution and overall abdominal contour before recommending the most appropriate surgical plan.