Tummy Tuck in Istanbul

What is Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty addresses three issues that often coexist after pregnancy or weight loss: excess skin, residual fat and a stretched abdominal wall. During pregnancy the two vertical rectus muscles can separate along the midline, leaving a bulge that persists despite core training. A tummy tuck usually includes rectus plication, in which the surgeon stitches the muscle sheath together to restore a firmer abdominal wall, alongside removal of loose skin below the navel.

There are several variations. A full abdominoplasty uses a low horizontal incision and repositions the navel. A mini abdominoplasty treats only skin below the navel with a shorter scar, and an extended abdominoplasty continues onto the flanks. Liposuction is often combined to refine the waist. A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss operation, and surgeons usually recommend reaching a stable weight and completing your family first, as future pregnancy can stretch the repair.

Who may be suitable?

• You have loose or overhanging lower abdominal skin that does not improve with exercise
• You have diastasis recti or a weakened abdominal wall after pregnancy
• Your weight has been stable and you are within a BMI range your surgeon considers safe
• You have completed your family or understand the effect of future pregnancy
• You are a non-smoker or willing to stop well before and after surgery
• You are in good general health and accept a permanent low abdominal scar

What can this procedure address?

• Loose, crepey or overhanging skin below the navel
• Abdominal bulging due to separated rectus muscles
• Stretch marks on the lower abdomen, many of which are removed with the excised skin
• Changes after caesarean section, including an overhang above the scar
• Residual fat on the abdomen and flanks, often addressed with combined liposuction

Consultation & assessment

An online assessment allows you to send photos confidentially from the front and side, together with details of pregnancies, caesarean sections, weight history and medical conditions. A surgeon can then give an initial view on whether a mini, full or extended abdominoplasty is likely to be appropriate and whether diastasis recti repair may be needed.

Your in-person examination in Istanbul confirms the plan before surgery. The surgeon examines skin excess, muscle separation and any hernia, reviews scars from previous surgery, arranges blood tests and discusses the incision position, expected scar, drains, thrombosis prevention and the recovery period you will need.

How the procedure is performed

A low horizontal incision is made between the hip bones, usually designed to sit within underwear or swimwear. The skin and fat are lifted off the abdominal wall up towards the ribs. Where diastasis recti is present, the surgeon performs rectus plication, bringing the muscle sheath together with strong sutures to tighten the midline.

The skin is then drawn down, excess is removed, and a new opening is created for the navel. Liposuction may be used to contour the flanks. The incision is closed in layers, and drains or progressive tension sutures may be used to reduce fluid collection. A supportive abdominal binder is applied.

Anaesthesia

A tummy tuck is performed under general anaesthesia by an anaesthesiologist. Because abdominoplasty is associated with a higher risk of venous thromboembolism than many aesthetic procedures, your anaesthesia and surgical team will assess your risk and plan prevention, which may include compression devices and anticoagulant injections.

Recovery timeline

1. Days 1–3

   You stay in hospital, usually walking slightly bent forward to reduce tension on the incision. Drains may be in place and pain is managed with medication.

2. Week 1

   You gradually stand straighter. Drains are often removed once output is low. Your surgeon checks the wound and navel.

3. Weeks 2–3

   Energy improves and most women can manage desk-based work. Avoid lifting and straining the abdominal repair.

4. Week 6

   Swelling reduces and your surgeon may allow a gradual return to exercise, avoiding heavy core work until later.

5. 3–6 months

   The scar remains pink but begins to soften. Numbness above the scar gradually improves.

6. 12 months

   The scar matures and the final contour is visible. Results vary between individuals.

What to expect during the first week

• Walk short distances regularly while keeping slightly bent at the waist as advised
• Wear your binder or compression garment continuously
• Record drain output if drains are in place
• Avoid lifting anything heavier than a light bag, including children
• Take anticoagulant medication exactly as prescribed
• Sleep with your knees and upper body slightly raised

Scars

A tummy tuck leaves a permanent horizontal scar across the lower abdomen and a scar around the navel. Scars are usually red or pink for several months and gradually fade over 12–18 months, but they remain visible. Scar care advice will be provided.

Results

A flatter, firmer abdomen with improved waist definition is the usual goal. Swelling takes several months to resolve. Consented before and after photographs can be reviewed during consultation. Results vary between individuals.

Results vary between individuals. Consented before-and-after images of similar cases may be reviewed with your specialist during consultation — before & after

How long do results last?

Results are long-lasting when weight is stable, although ageing continues. Future pregnancy or significant weight change can stretch the skin and muscle repair again.

Potential risks and complications

All surgical procedures carry risks. Your surgeon will discuss the potential benefits, limitations and individual risks with you before you decide whether to proceed.

• Seroma (fluid collection), one of the more common complications, sometimes requiring aspiration
• Haematoma or bleeding
• Wound healing problems, particularly at the centre of the incision
• Infection
• Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (VTE)
• Widened, raised or hypertrophic scarring
• Numbness of the lower abdominal skin
• Navel abnormality or poor positioning
• Asymmetry, dog-ears at the ends of the scar or contour irregularity
• Fat necrosis or skin necrosis, higher in smokers

Choosing a surgeon

• Confirm specialist training in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery
• Verify registration with the Turkish Medical Association and relevant society memberships
• Ask about experience with diastasis recti repair and different abdominoplasty types
• Review consented before and after photographs, including scar outcomes
• Confirm hospital privileges, inpatient care and a written aftercare plan

Our specialists

Tummy Tuck in Istanbul

Most women stay in Istanbul for 10–14 days after a tummy tuck. This allows for one or two nights in hospital, drain removal and wound review before travelling home.

Women travel to Istanbul for abdominoplasty to access experienced plastic surgeons, modern private hospitals and coordinated international patient support. Depending on the surgeon and procedure, treatments may be performed at leading private hospitals in Istanbul, including LIV Hospital Vadistanbul, Memorial Bahçelievler and selected Acıbadem hospitals.

The cost of a tummy tuck in Turkey depends on the surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, the type of abdominoplasty, whether liposuction or other procedures are combined, hospital stay, garments and accommodation. A personalised written quote follows assessment. Choose your surgeon and hospital based on medical quality, not price alone.

Costs depend on your surgeon, hospital, anaesthesia, complexity and any combined procedures — see treatment costs in Turkey.

Your hospital

Depending on the surgeon and procedure, treatments may be performed at leading private hospitals in Istanbul, including LIV Hospital Vadistanbul, Memorial Bahçelievler and selected Acıbadem hospitals. Your written treatment plan confirms the hospital before you travel. Hospitals & Facilities

Aftercare when you return home

• Continue your binder or compression garment for as long as advised, often around 6 weeks
• Avoid heavy lifting and abdominal strain until your surgeon allows it
• Begin scar care once the wound has fully healed
• Seek urgent care for leg swelling, chest pain, breathlessness, fever or wound breakdown
• Arrange remote follow-up and a local GP contact

Our aftercare pathway