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Cosmetic Surgery

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): What It Is, What It Costs, and What to Expect

June 23, 2026
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)-

If your abdomen has changed shape after pregnancy, significant weight loss, or simply the passage of time, you’re far from alone. Specifically, loose skin, weakened abdominal muscles, and stubborn fat deposits in the midsection are among the most common body concerns patients bring to cosmetic surgery consultations.

Importantly, these changes are structural. As a result, no amount of diet, exercise, or non-surgical treatment can fully reverse them once they’ve developed. That’s exactly where a tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, comes in.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before considering the procedure. Specifically, we’ll walk through what a tummy tuck involves, who it suits, what the different types cost, and what recovery looks like from start to finish.

What Is a Tummy Tuck?

Essentially, a tummy tuck is a surgical body contouring procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while tightening the underlying muscle wall. The goal is a flatter, firmer, more defined midsection that diet and exercise alone cannot achieve.

Importantly, a tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure. Instead, it works best for patients who are already close to their target weight but have specific structural concerns, such as loose skin or separated abdominal muscles, that haven’t responded to lifestyle changes.

Furthermore, a tummy tuck can address diastasis recti, the separation of the abdominal muscles that commonly occurs during pregnancy. As a result, many patients notice not only a flatter appearance but also improved core strength, better posture, and reduced lower back discomfort following surgery.

What Does a Tummy Tuck Treat?

In general, a tummy tuck is the most effective solution for the following concerns:

  • Loose or excess skin on the abdomen following pregnancy or weight loss
  • A persistent “pouch” or rounded belly that doesn’t respond to exercise
  • Weakened or separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
  • Stubborn fat deposits in the lower abdomen
  • Stretch marks in the lower abdominal area (which may be removed along with excess skin)
  • Loss of abdominal definition and core support after significant body changes

Notably, a tummy tuck addresses both the skin and the muscle layer together. Consequently, it often delivers a more comprehensive improvement than liposuction alone, which targets fat but does not treat skin laxity or muscle separation. In many cases, however, combining the two procedures delivers the most complete result.

Types of Tummy Tuck: What Are the Options?

In general, there are three main approaches to abdominoplasty. The right choice depends on your anatomy, the extent of correction needed, and your surgeon’s assessment.

Full Tummy Tuck

Specifically, a full tummy tuck addresses the entire abdomen from the pubic area to the ribcage. The surgeon makes a horizontal incision low on the abdomen, tightens the muscle wall, removes excess skin and fat, and repositions the navel. As a result, this approach delivers the most comprehensive improvement and suits patients with significant skin laxity or muscle separation.

Mini Tummy Tuck

A mini tummy tuck, on the other hand, targets the lower abdomen only, below the navel. The incision is shorter, the navel position stays the same, and recovery tends to be quicker. Consequently, it suits patients with mild to moderate skin laxity confined to the lower belly. Your surgeon will advise whether this approach can achieve your goals.

Extended Tummy Tuck

An extended tummy tuck goes further than a full abdominoplasty by also addressing the flanks and lower back. Furthermore, it suits patients who have lost a significant amount of weight and have excess skin extending around the sides of the torso. This approach, therefore, delivers the most extensive improvement for patients with more significant concerns.

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?

In general, a tummy tuck suits men and women who are close to their target weight but have specific abdominal concerns that lifestyle changes haven’t resolved. Most candidates are in their 30s to 50s, though the procedure suits patients across a wide age range.

Specifically, you may be a good candidate if you:

  • Have loose or sagging abdominal skin following pregnancy or weight loss
  • Have weakened or separated abdominal muscles that exercise hasn’t corrected
  • Are at or close to a stable, healthy weight
  • Do not plan future pregnancies, as these can affect long-term results
  • Are a non-smoker, or willing to stop smoking before and after surgery
  • Are in good overall health with no conditions that could affect healing
  • Have realistic expectations about what surgery can achieve

Importantly, patients who plan further pregnancies should delay surgery until they’ve completed their family. In addition, patients who need to lose more weight benefit from reaching a stable weight first, since significant weight changes after surgery can affect results. As always, suitability is assessed thoroughly during your consultation.

What Happens During a Tummy Tuck Procedure?

Before the procedure, your surgeon will mark the treatment areas and walk you through exactly what will happen. At that point, you’ll have the opportunity to confirm your goals and ask any remaining questions.

Specifically, at Eden Clinic tummy tuck surgery takes place under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a discreet horizontal incision low on the abdomen, typically within the bikini line, so clothing and swimwear conceal it easily.

Through this incision, the surgeon tightens and sutures the underlying abdominal muscles, removes excess skin and fat, and repositions the navel where needed. In total, the procedure takes between two and four hours depending on the extent of correction required. Most patients go home the same day.

Tummy Tuck Recovery: What to Expect Week by Week

Recovery after a tummy tuck requires more time than some other cosmetic procedures. Generally speaking, here’s what most patients experience at each stage:

Timeframe

What’s Happening

Days 1-3

Swelling, bruising, and tightness in the abdomen. A compression garment is worn to support healing. Drains may be in place to remove excess fluid. Rest is essential.

Days 4-7

Swelling begins to ease. Most patients can move around slowly and carefully. Light activity around the home is encouraged. Drains are typically removed.

Weeks 2-3

Most patients return to desk-based work. Bruising fades significantly. The abdominal contour begins to take shape as swelling reduces.

Weeks 4-6

Patients can gradually resume light exercise. The compression garment continues to be worn. Results become increasingly visible.

Months 2-6

Final results settle in as all residual swelling resolves. Scars soften and fade. The full improvement to abdominal contour and core strength is visible.

 

In most cases, patients take two to three weeks off work depending on how physical their role is. However, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for six weeks. As always, your surgical team will provide specific guidance tailored to your procedure and recovery.

How Much Does a Tummy Tuck Cost at Eden Clinic?

At Eden Clinic, pricing is clear and all-inclusive. Specifically, all prices cover your consultation, the procedure itself, your compression garment, and all follow-up aftercare. There are no hidden costs to factor in.

Mini Tummy Tuck

$7,500

Full Tummy Tuck

$9,500

Extended Tummy Tuck

Pricing discussed at consultation

Tummy Tuck with Liposuction

Pricing discussed at consultation

What’s Included

Consultation, procedure, compression garment, and all follow-up aftercare

Anesthesia

General anesthesia

Duration

2 to 4 hours

Hospital Stay

Day case – most patients go home the same day

Recovery

2 to 3 weeks before returning to desk-based work

Location

435 N. Roxbury Drive, Suite 405, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

 

Can a Tummy Tuck Be Combined With Other Procedures?

Yes, and in fact it’s very commonly done. A tummy tuck pairs particularly well with other body contouring and facial rejuvenation procedures, especially for patients seeking more comprehensive results.

For example, popular combinations include:

  • Liposuction of the flanks, waist, or other areas alongside the tummy tuck for a more sculpted overall silhouette
  • Facial fat transfer using fat harvested during liposuction to restore volume to the face
  • Facelift surgery or neck lift for patients also addressing facial aging at the same time
  • Blepharoplasty for patients wanting to refresh the eye area as part of a broader rejuvenation

Importantly, combining procedures means a single recovery period rather than multiple. Consequently, many patients find this approach both more convenient and more cost-effective. Your surgeon will advise on what combinations make sense for your specific goals and health.

How Long Do Tummy Tuck Results Last?

In good news, a tummy tuck produces long-lasting results. Specifically, the excess skin the surgeon removes does not return, and the muscle repair remains stable for many years. As a result, patients typically enjoy a flatter, firmer abdomen for a decade or more.

That said, results are best preserved by maintaining a stable weight after surgery. Significant weight gain can stretch the remaining skin and fat, which may affect the contour the procedure achieves. Furthermore, future pregnancies can reverse the muscle repair, which is why surgeons recommend completing your family before undergoing abdominoplasty.

Consequently, a healthy lifestyle, consistent exercise, and a balanced diet are the most important factors in preserving your results long-term. Your surgical team will discuss this in detail during your consultation and follow-up appointments.

Tummy Tuck vs Liposuction: Which Is Right for You?

This is one of the most common questions patients ask, and it’s worth addressing clearly. Essentially, the two procedures serve different purposes and suit different types of concern.

Specifically, liposuction removes localised fat deposits but does not address loose skin or muscle separation. As a result, it suits patients with good skin elasticity and targeted fat concerns rather than structural abdominal changes.

A tummy tuck, on the other hand, treats all three concerns together: excess fat, loose skin, and weakened muscles. Consequently, it delivers more comprehensive results for patients who have experienced significant body changes. In many cases, combining both procedures in a single session delivers the most complete and refined outcome. Your surgeon will advise on the right approach during your consultation.

Is a Tummy Tuck Right for You?

Overall, abdominoplasty has an excellent track record of patient satisfaction, particularly among post-pregnancy patients and those who have worked hard to lose weight but feel their abdomen doesn’t reflect their effort. For these patients specifically, the improvement in how clothes fit, how they feel in swimwear, and how supported their core feels can be genuinely life-changing.

However, it’s not the right solution for everyone. For example, patients whose concerns involve fat alone rather than skin or muscle may achieve their goals through liposuction alone. That’s precisely why a thorough consultation matters.

Ultimately, the best way to find out is to speak with one of our consulting doctors. At Eden Clinic, we offer free virtual consultations so you can explore your options from the comfort of your home, with no pressure and no obligation to proceed. Book your free consultation here.

Frequently Asked Questions: The Procedure

Is a tummy tuck the same as liposuction?

No. Essentially, liposuction removes excess fat but does not treat loose skin or separated muscles. A tummy tuck addresses all three concerns together. Furthermore, combining the two procedures in a single session often delivers the most refined and complete result. Your surgeon will recommend the right approach based on your specific anatomy and goals.

In some cases, yes. Specifically, stretch marks located on the area of skin the surgeon removes during the procedure disappear along with it. This is often the lower abdominal area. However, stretch marks above the navel remain, as that skin stays in place. Your surgeon will give you a realistic assessment during your consultation.

Generally speaking, patients report significant tightness and moderate discomfort in the first week rather than severe pain. You’ll receive appropriate pain relief to manage this, and most patients find it very manageable. The tightness eases considerably over the first two to three weeks as swelling reduces.

Yes, though the scar sits low on the abdomen within the bikini line, so clothing and swimwear conceal it easily. Over time, the scar fades and flattens considerably. Most patients find it a very acceptable trade-off for the improvement in abdominal contour.

Frequently Asked Questions: Costs and Next Steps

How much does a tummy tuck cost at Eden Clinic?

Specifically, a mini tummy tuck starts at $7,500 and a full tummy tuck is $9,500. Pricing for extended tummy tucks or combined procedures is discussed during your consultation. Importantly, all prices include your consultation, the procedure, your compression garment, and all follow-up aftercare.

Generally speaking, most patients take two to three weeks off work and feel close to normal within a month. Full recovery, including returning to strenuous exercise, takes around six weeks. As always, your surgical team will provide guidance tailored to your specific procedure and recovery.

Yes, and many patients choose to do exactly that. Combining a tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks or waist delivers a more sculpted and defined overall silhouette. As a result, it’s one of the most popular procedure combinations at Eden Clinic. Pricing for combined procedures is discussed during your free consultation.

Simply book a free virtual consultation with one of our consulting doctors. You can book online at edenclinic.com or call us at +1 (424) 266-6670. There’s no commitment required, and our team is happy to answer any questions you have in advance.

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