- An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgery procedure used to make the abdomen flatter and firmer
- Excess fat and skin are removed to tighten the muscles and tissues of the abdominal area
- Renowned Plastic Surgeons based in the UK
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What’s on this page
- About this Treatment
- Before and After photos
- What to Expect
- Tummy Tuck FAQs
- Tummy Tuck Clinics
- Things to Consider
- Patient Stories
- Why the Private Clinic
- Meet Tummy Tuck Surgeons
Medically reviewed by Lorcan Sheppard BSc MBBS FRCA, Chief Medical Officer for The Private Clinic of Harley Street, London.
Last Reviewed February 21st 2025
Related Cosmetic Surgery
Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty
Flabby skin on the belly is usually the result of weight-loss, yo-yo dieting or pregnancy. It might just be lax and wrinkled skin that has lost its elasticity, but in more extreme cases the muscles are stretched and there can be unattractive, overhanging folds of skin that won’t spring back into shape.
What can an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck achieve?
Pregnancy, weight loss and the natural ageing process can leave behind excess, sagging skin around the stomach(abdomen) area. This excess skin can’t be removed through exercise or non-invasive treatments. The solution is an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck (mini tummy tuck), which will give you a flatter, firmer abdomen.
What is an Abdominoplasty?
An abdominoplasty, commonly referred to as a tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgery procedure used to make the abdomen flatter and firmer. Excess fat and skin are removed from the abdomen area in order to tighten the muscles and tissues of the abdominal area. Diastasis recti can also be corrected via a tummy tuck procedure where the seperated abdominal wall is sewed back together.
At The Private Clinic, we understand that deciding what you require can be confusing. We are here to help guide you to the best tummy choice so you feel confident. Consultations are available at our clinics in London Harley Street, Birmingham, and Northampton.
What are my Tummy Tuck options?
At your consultation, we can discuss the various body contouring options that will be right for you. Age and skin elasticity can often be a deciding factor, let the experts guide you on our extensive range of tummy options.
- Mini Tummy Tuck (Mini Abdominoplasty)
- Full Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
- Brazilian Tummy Tuck
- Fleur de lis Tummy Tuck/ FDL tummy tuck
- Extended Tummy Tuck
- Liposuction
- Vaser Liposuction
- Non Surgical Fat Reduction, Coolsculpting
What is a Brazillian Tummy Tuck?
Mr William Van Nierkerk discusses the differences between a tummy tuck and a Brazillian tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck at a glance
Procedure Time
2 hours
Anaesthetic Type
General Anaesthetic
Hospital Stay
Overnight
Washing
1 week
Driving
2 – 3 weeks
Up & Mobile
4 – 5 days
Sexual Activity
4 – 6 weeks
Back to Work
2 – 3 weeks
Exercise
6 – 8 weeks
Travel
6 weeks
Full Recovery Time
8 weeks
Final Results
6 – 12 months
Support Garments
Compression garment for 6-8 weeks
Sleeping
Sleeping elevated 45º pillow underneath leg
What type of tummy tuck is best for me?
Full Abdominoplasty
Best for patients who have a large amount of excess skin. A full tummy tuck is known as the standard tummy tuck and it is designed to remove fat, repair any torn muscles and removes excess skin.
Extended Abdominoplasty
Best for patients who have excess fat and skin in the flanks, upper hip, and lower back regions. An extended tummy tuck will remove skin and fat from all of these areas as well as repairing any torn muscles if required.
Mini Abdominoplasty
Best for patients who only have a small amount of tissue between the area above your pubic region to the tummy button, your stomach may have a crinkly appearance but doesn’t necessarily over-hang. A mini tummy tuck can also repair the muscles as well as removing excess skin and tightening up the lower part of the tummy.
Do I need a full or mini tummy tuck? – Find out more here.
Fleur de Lis Abdominoplasty/ FDL tummy tuck
Designed to target excess skin from both the upper and lower abdomen in a vertical direction. The skin is pulled downward and inwards towards the centre of your abdomen resulting in a smooth and tummy.
Brazilian Tummy Tuck
A combination of liposuction with a tummy tuck, best for patients with more excess skin than fat. Liposuction is used to remove fat from the flanks and waist as well as the abdomen to give you a more sculpted appearance. By incorporating liposuction it allows the skin to heal quicker and the procedure can be performed as a day case with less risk of complications associated with a full abdominoplasty. Mr William Van Nierkerk is able to offer Brazilian tummy tucks in London.
“I had a Brazilian abdominoplasty done with The Private Clinic in Harley street. I have to say the operation went very well and the care and the team was fantastic. Most of all the surgeon Mr William Van Niekerk was brilliant. I never had any pain after the op and I highly recommend The Private Clinic. My review is a bit delayed as I had this a year ago but am still over the moon with the results. And it has totally changed my life! I am so much happier now.“
– Michelle, Brazillian Tummy Tuck patient.
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as seen in
Tummy Tuck Before & After Photos
Our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice and outstanding care means your journey with The Private Clinic will be an exciting experience to a newfound shape. Take a look at some of the Abdominoplasty results below.
What to Expect
The Private Clinic has been treating patients for over 40 years with thousands of patients placing their trust in us each year. We pride ourselves on being able to offer a personalised service. We have a team of friendly nurses and expert surgeons who understand the importance of this decision and will support you throughout your journey with us.
The Consultation
Your tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure journey will start with a consultation with one of our expert plastic surgeons.
Your surgeon will be able to discuss in detail the different types of tummy tuck procedure techniques that are available including:
- Mini Tummy Tuck (Mini Abdominoplasty)
- Full Tummy Tuck(Abdominoplasty)
- Brazilian Tummy Tuck
- Fleur de lis Tummy Tuck
- Extended Tummy Tuck
Your surgeon will also:
- Review your medical history
- Assess your suitability for tummy tuck surgery
- Check for diastasis recti if appropriate
- Discuss which technique is most suitable
- Discuss your expectations
- Detail the risks and complications of abdominoplasty surgery
- Go through the aftercare and recovery process
Following your consultation, you will be introduced to one of our knowledgeable patient coordinators who will be your point of contact should you wish to go ahead with surgery.
Pre-Operative Appointment
In the interests of patient safety all our patients are assessed against our patient selection criteria. Following your tummy tuck consultation your medical history will be reviewed our pre-operative nurse will advise on pre-operative tests. Most tummy tuck pre-operative assessments include a blood test, MRSA swabs, urine test and a blood pressure test.
They will also advise you of any precautions you need to take in the days or weeks leading up to your tummy tuck procedure and advise on any medication that you should stop taking ahead of your procedure.
Tummy Tuck Surgery
We usually ask patients to arrive at the hospital an hour before their scheduled surgery time. Tummy tuck procedures are carried out under general anaesthetic and depending on the type of procedure being performed, usually take around 2-3 hours.
On arrival:
- The nursing team will record your blood pressure and prep you for surgery.
- You will meet with the surgeon who will go through the procedure again and answer any questions.
- Pre-operative photos will be taken.
- Your stomach will be marked up ready for surgery.
The Procedure
A full tummy tuck involves:
- General anaesthetic will be administered by the anaesthesiologist.
- Making a large incision across the lower tummy, from hip to hip, just above the pubic area.
- Making a second incision to free the belly button from the tissue that surrounds it.
- Separating the skin from the abdominal wall.
- In most cases realigning the abdominal muscles.
- Removing excess fat and skin.
- Repairing the seperated abdominal wall in cases of diastasis recti.
- Cutting a new hole for the belly button and stitching this back in place.
- Drawing together the remaining skin and stitching it in place with absorbable stitches and applying wound dressings.
- An abdominal support garment will be placed on you which you will be required to wear during your recovery process for the time stated by your surgeon.
A partial/mini tummy tuck involves:
- General anaesthetic will be administered by the anaesthesiologist.
- Making a large incision (cut) across the lower tummy.
- Separating the skin from the abdominal wall below the tummy button.
- Removing excess fat.
- Cutting away excess skin.
- Drawing together the remaining skin and stitching it in place with absorbable stitches and applying wound dressings.
- An abdominal support garment will be placed on you which you will be required to wear during your recovery process for the time stated by your surgeon.
Once the surgery is complete, You will then be taken back to your room where you may be required to stay overnight for observation.
Once the surgeon and nursing team are happy that you are safe to return home, you will be discharged and allowed to leave accompanied by a family member or friend.
After your tummy tuck procedure
A member of our nursing team will call you usually the day following your procedure to ensure you are well following your procedure. You will have information on how to contact your clinic or on-call nursing team should you have any worries or concerns at any point 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during your recovery time.
When you are discharged from the hospital, you will be provided with aftercare information from your surgeon to follow and any medication that you will be required to take during your recovery.
We recommend that you take 2-3 weeks off work and avoid strenuous activities and exercise for at least 6 weeks. You should arrange for someone to help you around the house and to help with childcare if necessary, for the first week.
An appointment will be made for an incision and wound check usually 4-12 days following your tummy tuck procedure. A 6-week follow-up appointment will then also be arranged with your surgeon. At this stage you should be ready to return to your everyday activities, but your surgeon will be able to advise you on anything that you are unsure of.
Watch Mr William Van Niekerk Answer Tummy Tuck FAQ’s
The Private Clinic have collaborated with Chrysalis Finance to offer 0% finance for our patients.*
*Acceptance is subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
We only perform cosmetic procedures on patients over the age of 18. As long as you are fit and well then there is no upper age limit on tummy tuck surgery.
We recommend that you are at your ideal weight before having tummy tuck surgery. If you lose or gain a significant amount of weight after having the procedure you may find yourself having to have additional surgery to correct the results. Although it is not a medical requirement, we also recommend that you do not have a tummy tuck procedure if you are planning on getting pregnant in the future. Pregnancy can cause your skin to stretch which again, may result in revision surgery being required at a later date.
Tummy tucks are not gender specific so men can definitely get tummy tucks. The abdomen is a problem area for men and women alike, with different factors affecting the area. The ageing process affects the elasticity and integrity of the skin, whilst weight loss leaves the body unable to naturally tighten the skin effectively – both problems that affect men.
A tummy tuck consultation with your surgeon is a great way to firstly get to know the surgeon that is potentially going to be carrying out the procedure, discuss your desired outcome, ask any questions that you may have and talk through any concerns that you have about the procedure. The surgeon will ask to see your stomach so they can assess which procedure would be best for you. You will also be able to go through before and after photographs to get a realistic idea of what to expect post-surgery.
Tummy Tuck is Available in these Clinics
Things to Consider
Our advice on what to consider when deciding to have an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) procedure:
1. When choosing a clinic, you should always do your research, and only go to an established, reputable clinic.
The Private Clinic has been in the cosmetic surgery industry for over 40 years. We are here to answer all of your questions and give you peace of mind.
2. When choosing a surgeon, make sure you know who you’ll be seeing. Their expertise, qualifications and patient satisfaction rate are important factors to take into consideration.
At The Private Clinic, we only source the most experienced and specialised surgeons. Find out more about our plastic surgeons here.
3. Price should never be the deciding factor when choosing where to have your treatment. Safety should be your number one priority and feeling confident that they will look after you – not only before, but also after your procedure
4. When it sounds too good to be true, it often is. Always find out what your clinic’s reputation is.
Our excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice and outstanding care means your journey with The Private Clinic will be an exciting experience to a newfound shape.
Tummy TUck Patient Stories
Outstanding care, patient satisfaction and results mean everything to The Private Clinic Team
Read about our patients’ experiences to see what you can expect from our award-winning procedures.
Tummy Tuck – Stella
Abdominoplasty – Marie
Abdominoplasty – Barbara
Tummy Tuck – Esther
Why Choose The Private Clinic
- The Private Clinic has been treating patients for over 40 years with thousands of patients placing their trust in us each year.
- Top UK best tummy tuck surgeons with decades of experience.
- We can offer our patients a wide portfolio of abdominoplasty procedures, including the standard tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, Brazilian tummy tuck and extended tummy tuck.
- Dedicated care with your expert surgeon and nursing team before, during and long after every procedure.
- Our aftercare promise – you can call, email, and visit us to discuss how we tailor-make each procedure and offer ethical and professional aftercare for every patient.
- 24 hour help line so you are always in the best of hands.
- State of the art hospital facilities.
- 5 Star Trustpilot Rating.
Meet our Surgeons
We have dedicated Plastic Surgeons and an expert medical team who will be with you throughout your journey.
At The Private Clinic, our procedures are performed by some of the UK’s top consultant plastic surgeons who have decades of experience in abdominoplasty procedures.
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Consultant Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon
Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive, Cosmetic Surgeon
- NHS – Tummy Tuck (abdominoplasty)
- British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) – Abdominoplasty
- British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) – Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
- Healthline – What to know about getting a tummy tuck
- WebMD – What to know about recovery from a tummy tuck
