Full Tummy Tuck
A full tummy tuck addresses what liposuction cannot: loose skin and separated abdominal muscles after pregnancy or major weight loss. The muscles are tightened from the lower chest to the pubis and a new navel is created.
At a glance
How it is performed
In the full procedure the muscles are tightened from the lower chest area down to the pubis, excess skin is removed and a new belly button is created. The scar usually runs from hip to hip, placed low so that underwear and swimwear cover it.
Liposuction is frequently performed at the same time to refine the flanks and produce a better overall contour — in most cases this combination gives the best result.
This is a bigger operation than liposuction and demands a proper recovery: assistance at home for the first days, no lifting, and gradual return to activity on the surgeon's schedule.
Who is it for
- Loose, hanging abdominal skin that does not respond to exercise.
- Separation of the abdominal muscles (diastasis) after pregnancy.
- Patients at a stable weight who have finished having children.
- Non-smokers, or patients willing to stop well before and after surgery — smoking significantly impairs healing here.
Recovery timeline
- Days 1–2
One or two nights in hospital. You walk slightly bent forward at first; this is expected.
- Week 1
Drains, where used, are removed. A compression garment is worn continuously.
- Weeks 2–3
Return to desk work. Standing upright becomes comfortable.
- Weeks 4–6
Gradual return to exercise; no heavy lifting or abdominal training yet.
- Months 3–12
Swelling resolves fully; the scar matures and fades.
Risks & honest expectations
- Fluid collection (seroma), bleeding, infection and delayed wound healing.
- A long, permanent scar — the honest trade for removing the skin.
- Numbness of the lower abdominal skin, which may be long-lasting.
- Blood clots: early mobilisation and preventive measures reduce this risk.
- Poor healing in smokers, and higher risk in diabetes or circulatory disease.
The information on this website is for general information only and is not a substitute for a personal medical consultation. Every surgical procedure carries risks; outcomes vary from person to person. Content is reviewed by Dr. H. Seçkin Öksar, Board Certified Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon.
Questions about this procedure
Full or mini tummy tuck?
If the loose skin and muscle separation are limited to below the navel, a mini procedure is enough. Above the navel — or with a significant overhang — the full operation is the honest answer.
Will I be able to have children afterwards?
Pregnancy after abdominoplasty is possible but will stretch the repair, so the operation is best planned once your family is complete.
Where exactly will the scar be?
Low, from hip to hip, positioned during the consultation so that your usual underwear or swimwear covers it.
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Start with a conversation
Tell us what you are considering. You will get an honest answer about whether it is the right procedure for you — including when the answer is no.
Yeşilbahçe Mah. Metin Kasapoğlu Cad., Gökhan İş Merkezi No:19 D:9, Muratpaşa / Antalya, Türkiye
