Many people feel uncomfortable with the appearance of their midsection if it’s protruding or sagging because of multiple pregnancies or significant weight loss/gain.
They may find it hard to achieve a slimmer waistline with diet or exercise. A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, can fix this problem.
Both men and women can undergo a tummy tuck in Turkey to flatten and reshape their lower abdomen.
What Is A Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is cosmetic plastic surgery that reshapes and improves the appearance of the abdomen.
Depending on the aesthetic needs and concerns of the patient, they can have either a mini tummy tuck or a full tummy tuck.
However, it is the latter that achieves more dramatic results. Plastic surgeons make recommendations on the type of surgery that will best suit you.
How Does A Tummy Tuck Work?
In a tummy tuck operation, the surgeon removes excess skin, fat, scars, and stretch marks (only in the surgical areas) and tightens the muscles in the abdominal wall.
After the muscles have been sutured, the skin is also stitched back up for a smoother and flatter abdominal contour.
Since the skin and fat are excised permanently from the body, the results of this procedure will stay with you. However, it’s important that you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
What Is The Cost Of Tummy Tuck In Turkey?
Tummy tuck cost in Turkey can start around £2,500. There may be variation in prices depending on the type of tummy tuck you’re getting. Mini tummy tuck cost in Turkey may be slightly lower.
While in the UK, a tummy tuck can cost anywhere between £5,000 and £10,000. A mini tuck may be around £5,000 to £6,000 while a full tuck might cost £8,000 to £10,000.
Price can vary depending on the location of the clinic, the expertise of the surgeon, and the surgical technique. And since it’s a cosmetic procedure, it is not available on the NHS, so it can be quite expensive.
However, tummy tuck in Turkey cost is low because the surgeon’s fee, medical equipment, and operation theatre costs are lower.
Moreover, the exchange rate makes tummy tuck prices in Turkey far more affordable for medical tourists.
The tummy tuck in Turkey price may also include hotels, transfers, personal hosts, and 12-month aftercare for medical tourists.
Why Should Turkey Be Preferred For Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Turkey can be a good option if you’re considering tummy tuck since the surgery here can cost you 2-3 times less than in the UK or US for the same quality.
Turkey has many qualified and specialised plastic surgeons, with some even having international accreditations, offering tummy tuck in state-of-the-art facilities. Because of Turkey’s rapidly growing health tourism industry, many also have vast experience with a diverse patient base. So, you can consider getting a Turkish tummy tuck.
What To Think About Before Having A Tummy Tuck?
An abdominoplasty is an invasive surgery, and the aftercare can be quite difficult.
Therefore, it is important that you know all about this procedure and its potential risks and complications from the plastic surgeon.
Even before that, you have to decide on the surgeon and clinic that will perform your abdominoplasty surgery.
For this, you should make sure to find out that the tummy tuck clinic is registered with the Turkish Ministry of Health.
You should also learn more about the specialisation, registration, licensing, and affiliations of your plastic surgeon and make sure that they have insurance against malpractice.
Moreover, you can ask for their patient portfolio to learn more about the surgical outcome. You can ask the surgeon how many tummy tuck surgeries they have performed and for how many years.
After this, you need to ask more about the procedure itself and learn about the kind of scars that this surgery can leave.
It’s also helpful to go through the “before/after” photos of the patients to find out how they recover months after the surgery.
You can even meet with a previous patient of the surgeon who had the same procedure.
Lastly, learn about the overall success, complication, and patient satisfaction rates for the best tummy tuck in Turkey experience.
Am I Suitable For Tummy Tuck?
What Does A Tummy Tuck Do?
A tummy tuck targets the abdominal area of the body to get rid of excess skin and fat and repair separated tummy muscles so that you can achieve a slimmer profile. Essentially, it flattens the abdomen and gets rid of any unwanted stomach bulges.
Who Can Have A Tummy Tuck & Why?
You’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you:
- Are unable to lose excess fat after dieting and exercising and find your protruding tummy disproportionate to the rest of your figure.
- Have loose skin and muscles because of genetics.
- Had a baby and are left with stretched, sagging skin and are experiencing diastasis recti due to tearing of the muscles in the anterior abdominal wall.
- Gained/lost weight significantly as a result of gastric sleeve or diet/exercise and have excess skin in the abdominal area.
- Have achieved your ideal weight (since it is not a weight loss surgery) and aren’t planning any pregnancies in the future.
- Have poor posture and are experiencing pain in the lower back from the excess skin.
Is It Safe To Have A Tummy Tuck In Turkey?
Health tourism is a regulated industry in Turkey. Plastic surgeons here are required to be registered with the Turkish Medical Association and operate in Ministry of Health regulated facilities. Moreover, they also need to have liability insurance by law. Therefore, you can find an experienced and qualified surgeon in Turkey who can safely perform a tummy tuck on you.
Keep in mind that no matter where you’re getting this surgery, you must do your research. Turkey tummy tuck price shouldn’t simply be the deciding factor in your choice of surgeon or clinic.
You should try and verify the credentials of your surgeon, check out their reviews and try to talk to their previous patients, ask them all the questions about the procedure and check out the before and afters of their patients, among other things. These measures might help you find the best surgeon in Turkey for your tummy tuck.
How Best To Prepare For A Tummy Tuck?
To best prepare for your tummy tuck procedure, you need to do the following:
- Inform the surgeon about any previous abdominal surgeries that you’ve had, your medical history, and any active treatments (including their medications) that you’re on.
- You need to stop smoking and drinking alcohol 2 weeks and 1 week before the surgery, respectively.
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before surgery.
- Remove any jewellery that you’re wearing, do not apply any body moisturizers, and make sure to wear loose-fitting clothes with zips or buttons.
- Have someone accompany you after your procedure.
What Is The Procedure For A Tummy Tuck In Turkey?
To ensure your safety, your surgeon will first perform a physical exam and may need to perform some medical tests. If you’re clear, you can undergo a tummy tuck.
Usually, the operation takes place under general anaesthesia, so you’ll be asleep during the surgery.
However, a tummy tuck can also be performed under local anaesthesia and sedation in some instances.
There are two different surgical techniques that are chosen depending on the amount of skin and fat that needs to be removed:
Mini Tummy Tuck
In a mini tummy tuck in Turkey, the surgeon makes an incision above the pubic area.
It is called a “mini” abdominoplasty because it requires smaller incisions (usually not extending from hip to hip). This may be done using an electric cauterization device.
If the patient had a C-section, a plastic surgeon would reuse its scars.
The surgeon lifts the skin and fat layer and begins by suturing the abdominal muscles. And then, they will remove excess skin that hangs below the incision line.
A mini tummy tuck does not change the position of the belly button (umbilicus).
The whole surgery may take 1-2 hours, and you may have drainage tubes below the incisions.
However, the surgery can take longer if the patient’s getting liposuction with a tummy tuck.
It wouldn’t be accurate to call a mini-abdominoplasty surgery “minimally” invasive. However, it is relatively less invasive than a full tummy tuck.
Full Tummy Tuck
This aesthetic surgery is right for you if you want more dramatic results. In this, the surgeon makes incisions above the pubic area and a second incision around the belly button.
This helps separate it from the surrounding skin and allows the surgeon to lift the skin over a larger area.
After this, the surgeon will tighten the abdominal muscles. The remaining skin that hangs down the incision line is removed.
The skin which gets cut out includes the circular incision of the navel. Therefore, the surgeon creates a new hole for the belly button by cutting the skin on top of it in a circle.
The surgeon then sutures the skin using dissolvable stitches. Usually, two drainage tubes are placed above the pubic area for the excess fluid and blood.
You’ll end up with a dressing and a compression garment that you’ll have to wear for some time after the surgery.
A full abdominoplasty surgery takes place in 2-5 hours.
Book A Free Consultation With Our Patient Consultants
We offer free consultations for patients across the UK & Ireland, so you can discuss your individual requirements with our specialists. Book A Free Consultation With Our Patient Consultants Today.
Recovery & Results Of Tummy Tuck
This plastic surgery is inpatient, and you might have to stay in the hospital for 1-2 days. You can take a bath the day after returning to your hotel.
You’ll leave the clinic centre wearing the compression garment, which you can take off while showering. Otherwise, you have to wear it all the time for 6 weeks.
Meanwhile, make sure to take the painkillers and antibiotics that the surgeon prescribes. The results of tummy tucks are permanent.
However, future pregnancies and weight gain can make you lose your flat stomach and loosen up the abdominal muscles.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck recovery might take 1.5 to 2 months. However, since you’ll have swelling following the surgery, you might start to see the initial results of your procedure after about 6 weeks.
Keep in mind that the full healing process can take 6 months to 1 year. You’ll be able to see the final results of your tummy tuck only after that. In the meantime, make sure you follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions.
Aftercare Of Tummy Tuck
No matter whether you had a mini tummy tuck or a full tummy tuck, it is important that you strictly follow the aftercare instructions.
Otherwise, you may experience a delay in healing. You need to avoid smoking for at least 2 weeks after the tummy tuck surgery in Turkey as it can result in poor blood circulation.
Moreover, you need to avoid drinking alcohol while you’re taking your prescription medicines.
You can take small walks while having someone accompany you to promote circulation.
However, you need to avoid lifting and heavy exercise for at least 6 weeks after the surgery. You may feel a little tight in the abdominal area and find it difficult to stand up.
Make sure to not move around that much, as it can make your wounds reopen. You also need to avoid any sexual activities for at least a month.
While lying down, try to keep your knees bent. This would take the strain off the incisions.
It’s better if you take 2-4 weeks off from work after the surgical operation. You can start driving after 2-3 weeks, though.
Just make sure that you have a healthy diet. Also, lightly massage the surgical area one month after the surgery to speed up the recovery process.
Side Effects to Expect After Tummy Tuck
After your tummy tuck, you may experience the following side effects:
- Bleeding: This can result from the reopening of the wounds. Usually, it’s only a slight opening and heals on its own after some time. Make sure to follow the aftercare instructions.
- Scarring: This is a part of the surgical procedure. Excess abdominal skin removal requires making incisions, which will leave you with scars.
They may be red at first but fade with time. It can take over a year for it to do so.
If you had a mini tummy tuck, the size of the scar will be smaller than in a full abdominoplasty.
It’s important to note that if the appearance of the scar is changing for the worse (red, thickening, painful), you should get in touch with the surgeon.
- Pain, Bruising & Swelling: Pain and bruising are common following surgery. It will go away after some time.
Swelling can take around 6 months to go away. That’s why you can see the final results of a tummy tuck sometime after the surgery.
- Numbness: You may feel numb along the incision lines and even above the surgical area for weeks to a few months.
Rarely, it can also be permanent in some abdominoplasty patients.
- Pulling Sensation: You may feel tight and experience a pulling sensation.
Keep in mind there’s an adjustment period after the tummy tuck. It can take a few weeks for you to start getting used to your flat abdomen.
- Itching & Bumps: For a few days after the surgery, you may feel slightly itchy in the surgical area. It’s just your skin trying to heal.
Moreover, you may notice small bumps, which develop because your body is trying to get rid of damaged fat cells. This will resolve on its own.
What Could Go Wrong After A Tummy Tuck?
After your tummy tuck surgery, you can experience the following problems:
- Infection: To reduce its risk, make sure to take your antibiotics and avoid going to any dusty areas.
Sweating can also cause an infection, so make sure to follow the aftercare instructions.
- Seroma: This is the collection of fluid in the abdomen. You might have to go to the clinic to get the seroma drained. It is done on an outpatient basis.
- Delayed Healing: It can occur due to the reopening of the wound and smoking. If this happens, you can end up with bad scarring. Moreover, it will prolong the recovery period.
- Blood Clots: After getting a tummy tuck, you are at risk of developing blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis), which can rarely enter the lungs (pulmonary embolus).
Experienced surgeons anticipate this and give the patients the necessary medications to deal with them.
However, its risk is generally higher in smokers.
What To Do If You Have Problems After Tummy Tuck In Turkey?
If you’re experiencing any problem in the recovery process of a tummy tuck surgery, you need to get in touch with the Aftercare team for a free consultation online.
In addition, you can open a ticket on our Support Portal to reach out for assistance.
Lastly, you can learn more about the aftercare process of tummy tucks in Turkey in the post-operative guides on our website.
Alternatives To Tummy Tuck
This plastic surgery has no alternative. There’s no other surgery that specifically addresses concerns regarding excessive abdominal skin.
If your main concern is sagging skin, tummy tuck surgery is your only option.
However, if your main concern is excess fat deposits around your tummy area, 360-degree liposuction can also help.
But, again, this surgery (liposuction) does not make any difference to your sagging skin.
Other Procedures to Have with Tummy Tuck In Turkey
It is common for people to get liposuction with their tummy tuck Turkey. It can be in the abdomen or another area of concern.
This can also make a fat grafting procedure possible, where the surgeon injects the fat into the buttocks for a BBL.
Mommy makeovers are also quite popular, which involve a tummy tuck, liposuction and breast surgery. Other than that, you can also get dental treatment with a tummy tuck.
FAQ
Does a tummy tuck affect any future pregnancy?
No. You can get pregnant. However, it will change the results of this cosmetic surgery.
Can a tummy tuck fix an abdominal hernia?
No. You need to have another surgery (herniorrhaphy) for its treatment; tummy tuck surgery won’t fix it.
Are the surgeons performing my tummy tuck board-certified?
Yes. They are certified by the Turkish Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the Turkish Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery.
Is a tummy tuck dangerous?
A tummy tuck is generally considered a safe procedure that can help you get your desired abdominal contour. Keep in mind, however, that every surgery carries certain risks. Make sure you’re aware of them before the procedure.
Can you get pregnant after a tummy tuck?
You can get pregnant after a tummy tuck, but the pregnancy can affect the results of a previous surgery by stretching the skin out. For this reason, doctors usually advise their patients to have the surgery after completing their family.
Does a tummy tuck get rid of stretch marks?
A tummy tuck can get rid of the stretch marks that are in the surgical area – the skin that’s cut out of the body. It won’t address stretch marks in any other areas.
How long after tummy tuck can I have a bath?
It might be okay for you to shower 2-3 days after the surgery, but the advice may differ if you have surgical drains. In any case, make sure you ask your surgeon about this.
Are tummy tuck scars permanent?
While incision scars from a tummy tuck are permanent, normally, they will fade over time, so they will become less and less noticeable. A good surgeon will also take care to create incisions in those areas that can be easily hidden underneath clothes.
Are tummy tucks painful?
You can experience pain and tenderness for a few days to weeks after your tummy tuck procedure. However, it should get better with time.
Are tummy tucks permanent?
The results of a tummy tuck are permanent since the skin and fat are removed from the target areas. But keep in mind that naturally ageing will affect the overall quality of your skin.
Can I get a tummy tuck without losing weight?
It’s important that you’re already at your ideal weight before getting a tummy tuck. If you lose weight after the surgery, it can leave you with lose skin, which will negatively impact the overall results.
Reviewed and Approved by Prof Fuat Yuksel
