Abdominoplasty · Body
Abdominoplasty. Firm again, from the inside out.
After pregnancy or significant weight loss the skin of the abdomen can stay loose and the muscles beneath it apart, whatever you do in the gym. An abdominoplasty removes the excess skin, repairs the muscle wall and leaves a flatter, firmer abdomen with the scar low enough to sit beneath your underwear.
Results
Before and after.
We show only a small selection of results, with each patient's written consent, and never ask patients to share their photographs. Results vary from person to person.
Before
AfterAbout the procedure
Skin, muscle and contour.
A tummy tuck addresses three things that diet and exercise cannot: skin that has stretched and will not shrink back, abdominal muscles that have separated down the middle, and the apron of tissue that sits over the lower abdomen after weight loss or pregnancy.
In a full abdominoplasty Dr Ouali makes a long incision low across the abdomen, from hip to hip, and a second around the navel. The skin is lifted, the two rectus muscles are stitched back together down the midline, the excess skin is removed and the navel is brought out through a new opening in its natural position. Liposuction of the flanks is often added to refine the waist.
A mini abdominoplasty suits those whose loose skin sits only below the navel. The incision is shorter, the navel is left where it is, and recovery is quicker. Dr Ouali will tell you plainly which you need, and will not suggest a fuller operation than your abdomen calls for.
This is the largest procedure Dr Ouali offers. It is carried out under general anaesthetic, you usually stay one night, and you should plan for two to four weeks off work and six weeks without heavy lifting. The scar runs low across the lower abdomen, where it sits beneath underwear or swimwear.
Is it right for you?
You may be considering it if
An abdominoplasty is not a weight-loss operation and is not the right time if you plan further pregnancies or a significant change in weight. If your concern is fat rather than loose skin, liposuction alone may be enough, and Dr Ouali will say so.
Your journey
What to expect.
Consultation
A complimentary video consultation with Dr Ouali, private and unhurried. Over video, with photographs if helpful, he looks at your abdomen, checks the muscle wall, explains whether a full or mini abdominoplasty is right for you and shows you where the scar would sit. If you would rather meet in person at Langham Hospital first, that can be arranged; a consultation fee applies.
The day of surgery
Carried out under general anaesthetic in two to four hours. You usually stay one night at Langham Hospital and go home the next day with dressings, a compression garment and someone to accompany you. Small drains may be in place for a few days.
The first two weeks
Expect tightness, swelling and bruising, eased with prescribed pain relief. You walk slightly bent at first and straighten over the first week or two. Gentle walking from day one helps recovery. A nurse checks your wounds at one week.
The result
Most people return to work in two to four weeks and avoid heavy lifting for six weeks. The compression garment is worn for about six weeks. Swelling settles over three to six months and the scar fades over 12 to 18 months. Dr Ouali reviews you at each stage.
Risks and safety
Told to you plainly.
Abdominoplasty is a well-established operation with a high rate of satisfaction, but it is major surgery and no procedure is without risk. Dr Ouali will go through each of these with you before you decide.
Common and temporary: swelling, bruising, tightness, numbness of the lower abdomen and a feeling of pulling when you stand straight. Uncommon: bleeding, infection, fluid collection beneath the skin, slow wound healing particularly at the centre of the scar, asymmetry, scars that widen or thicken, or an unevenness of contour. Rarely, blood clots in the legs or lungs, loss of skin at the wound edge, changes to the navel, or a need for further surgery to revise the scar or shape.
Good to know
- Anaesthetic
- General
- Duration
- 2 to 4 hours
- Stay
- Usually one night
- Back to work
- 2 to 4 weeks
- Results
- Long-lasting
Every procedure is planned around you. These are typical figures; Dr Ouali will confirm what applies in your case at your consultation.
Ask a questionFor men
Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) for men.
Men come for an abdominoplasty most often after major weight loss, when the skin of the lower abdomen hangs loose and no amount of training changes it. The operation is the same in principle, with the scar placed low and the aim a flat, natural abdomen rather than a sculpted one. Liposuction of the flanks is often added to restore the line of the waist.
Your surgeon
Abdominoplasty with Dr Braham Ouali.
A tummy tuck is a significant operation and Dr Ouali treats it as one: careful selection, a plan matched to your abdomen rather than a standard procedure, and a scar placed low and level so that it stays hidden. His years in NHS plastic and reconstructive surgery underpin every part of it.
Your consultation is private and unhurried. He will tell you plainly what surgery can achieve and what it cannot, and you will never be hurried towards a decision. From the first conversation to your final review, you are supported at every stage, and you always know who to turn to.
Where you will be treated
Langham Hospital, Hallam Street.
Dr Ouali consults and operates at Langham Hospital, a private hospital a few minutes' walk from Harley Street. Calm, modern and entirely discreet, with consulting rooms, treatment rooms and operating theatres under one roof.
Patient stories
In their own words.
I felt completely at ease with him - he was incredibly kind and gentle throughout the procedure, which really helped calm my nerves.
The healing process has been excellent, with minimal scarring thanks to your skill and expertise. The entire experience has been an outstanding success.
His demeanour, gentleness and understanding was outstanding throughout. He took his time, explaining exactly what he was doing. He treated me as a person not a number.
Common questions
What patients ask.
What anaesthetic is used, and how long does it take?
Abdominoplasty is carried out under general anaesthetic and takes two to four hours depending on whether it is a full or mini procedure and whether liposuction is added. You usually stay one night at Langham Hospital.
When can I go back to work?
Most people return to desk-based work in two to four weeks. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for six weeks. Allow longer for physical work.
Where will the scar be?
Low across the lower abdomen, from hip to hip for a full abdominoplasty and shorter for a mini, placed so it sits beneath underwear or swimwear. There is a second small scar around the navel in a full procedure. Scars fade over 12 to 18 months.
What is the difference between a full and a mini tummy tuck?
A full abdominoplasty treats loose skin above and below the navel and repairs the muscles along the whole midline, with the navel repositioned. A mini treats loose skin below the navel only, with a shorter scar and quicker recovery. Dr Ouali will tell you which you need.
Is liposuction included?
Often. Liposuction of the flanks or upper abdomen is frequently combined with an abdominoplasty to refine the waist. Dr Ouali will advise whether it would help in your case.
Will it help with stretch marks?
Stretch marks on the skin that is removed, usually below the navel, go with it. Those above the navel remain, though they may be pulled lower and tighter.
Is abdominoplasty available on the NHS?
Rarely. The NHS treats it as cosmetic in almost all cases, including after weight loss, so most people arrange it privately.
I am flying in from abroad. How long should I stay?
Plan to be in London for at least two weeks after surgery so your wounds can be checked and any drains removed before you fly. Dr Ouali will advise on flying after major surgery. Your first consultation is by video, and so are later follow-ups wherever possible.
Complimentary virtual consultations
Begin with a conversation.
Your first consultation is complimentary and takes place by video, with no obligation and no hurry. Tell us a little about what you are considering, and we will arrange a time to talk.