Abdominoplasty - Tummy Tuck Berlin
A flat, firm abdomen is part of our ideal of beauty. For many people, however, it is not or only very limitedly achievable. A flabby abdomen changes the entire body shape - self-perception and self-confidence can suffer considerably as a result.
Both women and men suffer from sagging abdominal walls, but women are particularly affected. This is due, among other things, to genetic factors - the firmness of female connective tissue decreases particularly sharply with age. In addition, women's abdominal skin is particularly stressed and stretched by diets and pregnancies. A mild consequence of this are the well-known stretch marks after a pregnancy - since the skin has lost elasticity, they remain permanently. Significantly more serious for one's own body feeling are sagging skin areas on the abdomen and waist - the common term for this is "fat apron".
However, this is not fat, but primarily skin tissue that has lost its elasticity. Strong weight fluctuations can have the same effect. Once the sagging skin structures have formed, diets, sports or massages are ineffective. The sagging abdominal wall can only be removed by a surgical procedure. Through an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), those affected regain their original body shape, a positive body feeling and thus a great deal of quality of life.
In our Berlin specialist practice for plastic-aesthetic surgery, we perform abdominoplasties using various surgical methods. Optionally, the procedure can be combined with other cosmetic surgical measures - for example, liposuction or a so-called Mommy Makeover. The combination of medical and aesthetic excellence is important to us. The procedure should help you achieve a sustainably positive body and life feeling.
- Duration of the procedure
- approx. 3 hours
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia
- Clinic stay
- one day
- Socially presentable
- After ten days to two weeks
- Able to work
- After ten days to two weeks, for activities with stronger physical exertion after three to four weeks
- Sport
- after four weeks
- Wound healing
- two weeks
- Costs
- depending on the extent of the tummy tuck and the surgical method from 7,000 Euros
- Aftercare
- physical rest for at least two weeks, wearing a compression garment for six weeks, after suture removal: scar care
A tummy tuck is performed as an inpatient procedure. You usually stay in the clinic for 24 hours, but after a major tummy tuck, the hospital stay can also be somewhat longer. After a final preliminary discussion about the surgical procedure and aftercare, you will receive general anesthesia. At the end of the procedure, drains are placed for the drainage of wound fluid, the incisions are sutured, and a dressing is applied. The drains are removed after 24 hours. The sutures are removed after one week.
If a tummy tuck is performed by a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery with proven experience in this field, complications are rarely to be expected, even with a major abdominoplasty. However, as with any other operation, risks cannot be completely ruled out with a tummy tuck. Possible surgical risks include wound healing disorders, infections, medication intolerances, or allergies. To minimize them, we recommend discontinuing pain medication, blood-thinning preparations, and sleeping pills at least one week before the procedure and refraining from nicotine and alcohol consumption during this time. Bruising and swelling are unavoidable in the first few days after the operation, and slight post-operative bleeding may also occur. For wound pain, we will prescribe a pain medication that you can take as needed.
After a tummy tuck, you should allow yourself at least 14 days of rest and recovery. However, it is important that you also move during this time to stimulate circulation - walks are a good option for this. Immediately after the procedure, a compression garment will be applied along with the wound dressing, which you will wear continuously for the next four to six weeks. It serves to support and compress the skin and muscle tissue in the surgical area, prevents excessive strain on the sutures due to movements or coughing, and supports the formation of the final body contours. After the drains are removed, showering is possible again. The sutures are removed after 14 days. Afterwards, you can start with scar care. For this, I will show you the correct technique and recommend special scar creams as care products. Light sports activities are possible after about four weeks, jogging and fitness 14 days later. If you engage in highly strenuous sports such as strength training, you should take a break for about three months. Direct exposure of the surgical area to UV radiation (sunlight or UV light) should be avoided for several months to prevent unwanted pigmentation of the scars.
With a tummy tuck in Berlin for firm and aesthetic body contours
An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a plastic-surgical procedure in which sagging skin in the abdominal area is removed. An abdominoplasty can also be used to tighten the rectus abdominis muscles and the abdominal wall, and thus the waist. If there is muscle weakness here, a bulging abdomen forms, known as rectus diastasis. Many people automatically associate a tummy tuck with liposuction - however, these two procedures are not identical. An abdominoplasty focuses on tightening skin and muscles, while liposuction in the abdominal area focuses on reducing fat tissue. However, neither procedure is suitable for weight reduction - rather, they should complement an already healthy lifestyle in the aesthetic dimension. Especially in cases of loss of skin elasticity accompanied by larger fat deposits on the lower abdomen, a tummy tuck can be very well combined with liposuction, allowing for optimal modeling of the waist and abdominal wall.
What results can be achieved with a tummy tuck in Berlin?
The result of an abdominoplasty is a flat, firm abdomen and, if applicable, a slimmer, sculpted waist. During the approximately three-hour operation, we remove excess skin and sagging tissue - the procedure usually focuses on the lower abdominal area. Through a tummy tuck, you regain your original body shape. You will see positive changes immediately after the procedure. However, the final result will only become clear after four to six months, along with the final completion of the wound healing process. With a healthy lifestyle, the result of a tummy tuck lasts a lifetime. A repeat of the procedure may be necessary in case of significant weight fluctuations that lead to renewed sagging of the abdominal wall and abdominal skin.
Where are incisions necessary for a tummy tuck?
Depending on the findings, an abdominoplasty will be performed using different surgical procedures. The incision depends on the chosen technique. The choice of method depends on the amount of tissue to be removed. A complete or total tummy tuck (large abdominoplasty) is performed on patients who have developed very large skin flaps. In this form of abdominoplasty, in addition to the lower abdomen, the middle and upper abdominal areas are also included in the treatment. This requires an incision just above the pubic area, and another incision runs just above the navel. The navel is detached from the surrounding tissue. Excess tissue is removed and the abdominal muscles are also tightened if a rectus diastasis is present. Subsequently, the remaining tissue is laid tautly over the abdomen, adapted to the body contours, and the navel is repositioned. This form of abdominoplasty is most commonly used for tummy tucks. Optionally, a tummy tuck is combined with liposuction. If the skin excesses are mainly in the lower abdomen, a complete abdominoplasty is not necessary. In this case, a so-called mini-tummy tuck (mini-abdominoplasty) is sufficient to address the aesthetic problem. Tissue removal is performed via a horizontal incision above the pubic area. The navel can remain in its original position. In this form of tummy tuck, liposuction is also possible for fat deposits on the flanks or upper abdomen. An endoscopic tummy tuck is performed if no excess skin is to be removed, but only a tightening of the abdominal muscles is to be performed. For this, a minimal access is made at the pubic hairline, which later leaves only a small and usually barely visible scar.
Tummy Tuck in Berlin – individual consultation and treatment
The first step towards a tummy tuck in our Berlin specialist practice for plastic and aesthetic surgery is a detailed consultation, during which we get to know your personal circumstances and wishes. We discuss which surgical procedure is suitable for your case and what result can be expected. We explain the course of the operation, its possibilities and limitations, as well as possible risks associated with it. We also take a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination. Immediately before the tummy tuck, we discuss the procedure and the aftercare again.
If you desire a flat and firm abdomen, book your initial consultation for a tummy tuck in Berlin here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on your individual findings, the correction of a C-section scar can be performed with both a full (abdominoplasty) and a mini tummy tuck. Additionally, adhesions are removed, and the visibility of the C-section scar is visually minimized.
A tummy tuck with liposuction is not only possible but in many cases even advisable to achieve an optimal surgical result. In our Berlin practice, however, we only perform liposuction together with an abdominoplasty on the lower abdomen and the lateral abdominal areas. Liposuction on the upper abdomen in a combined operation carries too high a risk of skin necrosis and other complications. If you desire liposuction in the upper abdominal area, we will arrange a separate appointment for that.
Basically, yes. This combination is often chosen as part of a so-called Mommy Makeover. A Mommy Makeover includes various plastic-surgical procedures such as tummy tuck, breast lift, breast augmentation, or even intimate surgical measures (like labiaplasty) to restore the body's original appearance after pregnancy.
A tummy tuck is always indicated when skin and muscle tissue in the abdominal area have lost their elasticity, e.g., due to an apron belly and connective tissue weakness, resulting in perceived impairments of body image and quality of life. Depending on the extent of tissue changes, various surgical techniques, such as a complete or full abdominoplasty, or a mini tummy tuck, may be considered.
A mini abdominoplasty is indicated when the loose, excess skin is located only on the lower abdomen. This can be combined with a tummy tuck with liposuction on the upper abdomen or with liposuction of the fat pads on the legs.
The result of a tummy tuck lasts a lifetime. However, a prerequisite for this is that strong weight fluctuations are avoided. Through a healthy diet and regular exercise, you secure the surgical result in the long term. A second operation is fundamentally possible.
A previous tummy tuck does not preclude another pregnancy – however, it is better to perform the procedure only after family planning is complete, as pregnancy can negatively affect the surgical result.
A tummy tuck is generally possible at any age. However, due to some pre-existing conditions, contraindications to the procedure may exist. If you are affected by this, we will discuss possible solutions that are suitable for your case during my medical consultation.
Unless there is a medical or psychological indication for a tummy tuck, health insurance companies do not cover the costs of abdominal wall treatment.
Do you have questions about tummy tuck with liposuction?
Should you still have any questions, we will be happy to discuss them personally and without obligation in our Berlin practice.