Tummy tuck before and after photo courtesy of Dr. Gary Lawton, board-certified plastic surgeon in San Antonio, Texas. Results may vary.
Tummy tuck before and after photo courtesy of Dr. Gary Lawton, board-certified plastic surgeon in San Antonio, Texas. Results may vary.
Tummy tuck before and after photo courtesy of Dr. Gary Lawton, board-certified plastic surgeon in San Antonio, Texas. Results may vary.
Tummy tuck before and after photo courtesy of Dr. Gary Lawton, board-certified plastic surgeon in San Antonio, Texas. Results may vary.
Tummy tuck before and after photo courtesy of Dr. Gary Lawton, board-certified plastic surgeon in San Antonio, Texas. Results may vary.
Tummy tuck before and after photo courtesy of Dr. Gary Lawton, board-certified plastic surgeon in San Antonio, Texas. Results may vary.
Tummy tuck surgery is an outpatient procedure that improves abdominal contours by removing excess skin and fat, while tightening the underlying muscles.
Plastic surgeons take many approaches to tummy tuck surgery, and “one procedure does not fit all,” says Dr. Laurie Casas, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Chicago.
In a traditional, full abdominoplasty, the surgeon:
The surgical procedure is especially popular among women who’ve been left with abdominal muscle laxity and excess skin after significant weight loss or multiple pregnancies.
It’s often a combination of diastasis recti repair, to bring the rectus abdominis muscles back together, and a panniculectomy, to remove excess stretched out skin after pregnancy or an “apron” of hanging skin from the lower abdomen after massive weight loss.
Many people also opt for liposuction to sculpt the waist and flanks—although, according to Dr. S. Larry Schlesinger, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Honolulu, there’s some controversy about whether this should happen before, during, or after a tummy tuck.
Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Baltimore, says “liposuction can be done safely and reliably as long as the surgeon uses techniques that maximize the blood supply of the remaining abdominal skin, to ensure proper healing.”
Some surgeons transfer the excess fat that's removed via liposuction to the hips and buttocks, a combination of procedures that's sometimes marketed as an hourglass tummy tuck.
Tummy tuck surgery can also include a mons pubis lift, and be combined with breast augmentation or a breast lift, as part of a full mommy makeover.
A growing number of men who’ve lost a significant amount of weight are having tummy tucks, too.
Pros
Cons
RealSelf Tip: You can expect to lose a few pounds during a tummy tuck from the removal of extra skin and fat deposits—but it’s not a weight-loss procedure.
Related: Here's Exactly What to Look for in Tummy Tuck Before and After Photos
The price you pay will depend on the complexity of your procedure, the experience level of your surgeon, their practice location, and any additional costs.
Abdominoplasty surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure, so insurance typically doesn't cover it. However, a portion of your fees may be covered if your procedure involves hernia repair.
Most surgeons offer monthly payment plans or accept third-party financing options, such as CareCredit.
As you're choosing your plastic surgeon, look for tummy tuck before and after pictures that show a well-contoured abdomen, a natural-looking belly button, and a low, inconspicuous scar.
The tummy tuck photos in our gallery have been shared by the surgeon who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
Over 5,790 patients who recently reviewed the procedure on RealSelf give tummy tuck surgery an impressive 95% Worth It Rating.
Tummy tucks are particularly popular for mothers seeking to reclaim their body after having children, and most are thrilled with how the surgery transforms their body.
Many happy patients report a positive impact on body image and a major boost in self-esteem. “My body changed so much with each pregnancy, with stretch marks and loose skin that no gym can fix,” says a abdul in her review. After surgery, “when I looked in the mirror, I couldn’t believe I had my body back.”
Opting for this surgery after extreme weight loss is often seen as the final step in people’s weight-loss journey. Such was the case with Resourceful3, who lost 110 pounds and had excess skin he wanted to get rid of. “Everytime I look at myself in the mirror, I smile,” he says.
Satisfaction isn’t guaranteed, however. Among reviewers on RealSelf who say tummy tuck surgery isn’t worth it, several cite poor results (including asymmetry and scars) and complications.
To reduce your chance of being disappointed,find a board-certified plastic surgeon who regularly performs the procedure. Look closely at their patient reviews and photo gallery. Ideally, you’ll see dozens of before-and-after photos taken from multiple views.
With a well-done tummy tuck, surgical scars can be hidden under a swimsuit or underwear. You should see a mostly flat abdominal contour with some degree of muscle definition, a narrower waist, smooth skin, and a natural-looking belly button. This kind of result requires careful preoperative planning and attention to detail in the operating room.
The best candidates for a full tummy tuck have these things in common.
Excess abdominal skin. “If you sit up straight and have hanging skin, you’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck,” says Dr. Casas.
Being in generally good health. Conditions like advanced cardiopulmonary disease, cirrhosis, and uncontrolled diabetes, are risk factors, so most patients need medical clearance before undertaking surgery.
Not smoking. Cigarette smokers are considered poor candidates, since nicotine consumption constricts blood flow and increases the risk of poor healing. If you smoke, plan to stop a minimum of two weeks prior to surgery (ideally six weeks in advance) and avoid smoking during the months-long healing process.
Being at a stable weight. Dramatic weight fluctuations A common concern of people contemplating a tummy tuck is whether they need to lose weight to qualify for the surgery. The answer varies by surgeon, but the most common stance is that you should be within 10–15 pounds of your goal weight. Many surgeons won’t operate on someone with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 30, due to a commonly held belief about an increased risk of complications.
A 2019 study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery concluded that "Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) can be safely performed in obese patients, with no increase in complications compared to non-obese patients." According to Dr. Rodriguez, "surgery in patients with BMI up to 35 can be carried out safely, when combined with a program of dietary counseling and a waiting period to verify the patient is achieving fitness and dietary goals.”
Having realistic expectations. A perfectly flat tummy isn't always possible. Many patients don’t realize that a big component of the belly protrusion may be the visceral or “mesenteric fat” inside the abdomen. In these cases, even the best muscle repair and skin tightening will result in a rounded abdomen because of the bulky mesenteric fat, notes Dr. Rodriguez.
Related: What Real Women Who Had a Tummy Tuck Wish They'd Done Differently
Make arrangements in advance to have someone help out for the first week after surgery. You’ll need assistance to do even the most basic things, such as get in and out of bed, go to the bathroom, bathe, and get dressed. Most surgeons advise against lifting anything for six weeks, so having a friend or family member staying under the same roof is especially important if you have kids and pets.
To make recovery easier, stock up on supplies beforehand, including food.
As your surgery date nears, adjust your medication and supplement regimen as directed by your doctor.
Many surgeons will provide patients with an appropriate post-operative garment, but you may want to have an extra, in case one becomes soiled with blood or fluid.
Other supplies you’ll need to have on hand include:
Taking these extra steps a few days pre-op will help make your recovery go even more smoothly.
Line up entertainment. It’s not uncommon for people who have tummy tucks to experience severe mood swings, ranging from depression to elation (which may lead to over-activity), warns Dr. Tom Pousti, a board-certified plastic surgeon in La Mesa, California. Being prepared to distract your mind with books, magazines, and movies can help you handle the emotional hurdles of the surgery.
A complete abdominoplasty takes between 90 minutes and five hours, depending on the complexity of the treatment plan and surgeon’s technique.
This major procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia (so the patient is fully asleep), although it can be performed under IV sedation and tumescent anesthesia. Check with your surgeon to see if this alternative is available, as the recovery is easier and faster, according to Dr. Rodriguez.
Here's what happens during the procedure.
Most surgeons use dissolvable internal sutures, except in the muscle repair. If sutures are used on the surface of the skin, they should be removed at your first follow-up appointment, within a week of your surgery.
Dr. Schlesinger routinely removes all external stitches and staples on the third postoperative day and all drains on the fifth postoperative day. Other surgeons may leave drains in longer.
RealSelf Tip: Some surgeons perform drainless tummy tucks using a suturing method that restricts fluid accumulation. Although patients report less pain, it’s a longer procedure, with greater potential for indentations or irregularities.
You won’t feel any pain during tummy tuck surgery, thanks to the anesthesia. Tummy tuck recovery, on the other hand, can be uncomfortable, with significant tightness in the abdominal area.
According to doctors on RealSelf, patients vary in how much pain they experience: some have significant pain, while others find it’s not as bad as they expect.
Most of the pain from the operation comes from the tightening of the intra-abdominal muscles. “Patients who’ve had a C-section have said that the pain is similar to a tummy tuck, but that the recovery is easier because they don't have a newborn to take care of,” says Dr. Lisa Peters, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Forest Park, Illinois.
The first few days after tummy tuck surgery are the most uncomfortable. After that, the pain diminishes rapidly.
In addition to prescription and over-the-counter pain medication, surgeons rely on these strategies to minimize the pain:
Each surgeon will have their own protocol for post-op pain relief. Talking to your provider during your consultation about how they’ll help manage your pain will help relieve your anxiety, which may even help minimize the amount of pain you experience.
There’s no getting around the fact that a tummy tuck will hurt to some degree. The good news, says Dr. Peters, is that it’s “happy surgery. Patients are excited to achieve the improvements for which they've been hoping, and that makes a few days of pain well worth it in the end.”
Plan on needing at least two weeks of downtime before you go back to work, and up to six weeks of total recovery time before you’ll be healthy enough for strenuous activity or exercise after a tummy tuck.
If you can take more than two weeks off work, do it. You won't regret having the extra time to heal and get your energy back.
Here's what to expect during and after that time:
Related: Your Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline: What’s Normal and What’s Not, at Every Stage
Tummy tuck surgery is generally considered safe when performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. Most patients experience only minor side effects, including bruising, swelling, and temporary numbness along the incision site.
However, this is a major surgery, with a high complication rate compared to other cosmetic procedures.
In one 2015 study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the complication rate of abdominoplasty was double that of other cosmetic surgeries—3% versus 1.5%. These were most common major complications and tummy tuck complications:
Patients can also experience pulmonary thromboembolism (blood clots reaching the lungs), but this is rare. The use of IV sedation and tumescent anesthesia further reduces this risk.
Tummy tucks also have a higher mortality rate than most other cosmetic surgeries. But as board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Tholen of Minneapolis notes, “Published mortality rates associated with tummy tuck range from 0.02% to 0.16%. To put this in perspective, the death rate for elective C-section delivery is about 0.02%.”
Not following your surgeon’s recommended guidelines for rest and movement after a tummy tuck procedure can result in increased pain, delayed wound healing, damage to your incision, or even skin necrosis, leading to a longer recovery time, more scarring, or the potential need for corrective surgery.
However, some movement as you heal can help prevent blood clots, so talk with your surgeon about how soon you should start walking and how to do that safely.
Related: 5 Scary Tummy Tuck Complications—and What Happens If You Experience Them
Swelling after abdominoplasty can last up to three months.
Once all swelling in the abdominal area has subsided, you'll be able to see your final results.
Those who’ve had significant excess skin and fat prior to surgery will almost immediately be able to see a “massive” change after surgery, says Dr. Dona, but the final result will initially be obscured by swelling.
You’ll see much of your outcome within a few weeks, but it may take three months or more to see your final results.
Related: The 10 Most Popular Tummy Tuck Before and Afters on RealSelf
Tummy tuck results can be long-lasting: 10—20 years and sometimes much longer, according to doctors on RealSelf.
The longevity of your result depends on whether you maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid significant weight gain, as both can contribute to an early loss of your result.
“Proper diet and exercise are necessary to maintain your surgical result, so be sure that these habits are in place prior to having a tummy tuck,” says Dr. Casas.
Skin quality prior to surgery, as well as changes that occur naturally with aging, can also impact the results of your tummy tuck. In the future, you may want to consider a nonsurgical body contouring treatment such as Emsculpt, in addition to a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Tummy tuck surgery leaves a scar that runs horizontally, from hip bone to hip bone. The scar is typically very low, just above the pubic area, so it’s easily concealed by underwear or a bikini bottom.
You can talk with your surgeon about placement and length, but there’s no guarantee that your tummy tuck incision won’t need to be longer than you hoped. If you have a lot of excess skin, your surgeon may also need to make a vertical incision.
To get an idea of how far your tummy tuck scar will extend, try this trick from Dr. Casas:
An abdominoplasty scar will never completely go away, but it will fade over time and become less noticeable. Your surgeon will give you instructions to care for your incision, which should help minimize and fade the scar. They might also recommend laser therapy or a topical scar treatment.
Most plastic surgeons agree that it’s safe to have a baby after an abdominoplasty, but any future pregnancies will inevitably stretch the skin and muscles.
There's no guarantee you’ll need revision surgery, but plan for the possibility if you become pregnant following your surgery.
Waiting on a tummy tuck until after you've completed your family comes with other benefits. According to a study published in February 2018 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), abdominoplasty can “improve back pain and urinary incontinence after childbearing.”
Related: 5 Questions About Getting Pregnant After a Tummy Tuck, Answered
Many doctors on RealSelf consider three to six weeks an appropriate amount of time to wear a compression garment, though some surgeons don’t recommend one at all or prefer a shorter stint.
Dr. Schlesinger recommends two weeks in a surgical garment provided by your surgeon followed by four to eight weeks of commercial garments, such as Spanx.
Seattle plastic surgeon Dr. Shahram Salemy says, “I place my patients in a binder right after surgery, then switch over to Spanx or a similar over-the-counter binder at the first-week visit. I have them wear it night and day, except when showering, for the next three weeks and then during the day only for two more weeks. After the drains are removed, at around 10 days or so, they seem to do fine with the binder on and say it actually feels a bit better with it on for the first month.”
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Compression Garments
Some patients choose to have lymphatic massage during their recovery, to stimulate the flow of lymph and help purge waste and fluids from tissue.
Doctors on RealSelf agree that it’s not necessary, and if you choose to have a lymphatic massage, wait until you’re properly healed in order to avoid complications.
Consult with your surgeon before you decide to have lymphatic massage.
A full tummy tuck is the most effective way to get rid of excess fat and skin around your stomach while tightening your muscles. “There’s nothing on the market that will tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall and remove loose skin in the way that a tummy tuck will,” says Dr. Schwartz.
If you’re mostly concerned about the lower “pooch” area, a mini abdominoplasty, or mini tummy tuck, may be a good option. Be aware, however, that the procedure removes loose skin only in the lower abdominal area. “A mini tummy tuck produces mini results that would benefit only a small percentage of women—maybe 2%,” says Dr. Schlesinger.
You may have also heard of a Tummy Tuck belt. This compression garment (similar to a girdle) claims to burn extra fat via a combination of topical cream and your body’s own abdominal contractions, with the belt creating a “thermal fat-burning effect.” Its website touts that it typically results in a reduction of approximately 0.35 inch the first week and 1 inch in 30 days. It also claims that the belt has been jointly tested by two universities but doesn’t list their names—nor does it provide any medical evidence to back up the claims.
Wherever the truth lies, it’s safe to say that any results from a belt will be far less dramatic than what you’d get with plastic surgery, in terms of excess fat and skin removal and muscle tightening.
Updated February 2, 2024