Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck

Which to choose, abdominoplasty or liposuction abdomen? Liposuction is suitable when you have too much fat on your belly, but your skin is still tight and well elastic to adjust, after fat removal. An abdominoplasty tummy tuck is more suitable if you have sagging skin and weakened abdominal muscles, often after pregnancy, due to ageing or after weight loss. If your skin is stretched and not as elastic anymore, abdominoplasty gives a nicer result than liposuction.

A mini tummy tuck is a less invasive surgical procedure than the full tummy tuck, removing excess skin and fat below the navel. This with a smaller scar and shorter recovery time than a full tummy tuck. The navel remains in place, and the procedure is ideal for people with a relatively small amount of excess skin or fat below the navel and who do not require extensive muscle repair.

In a mini tummy tuck (mini tummy tuck or mini abdominoplasty), the surgeon will only remove excess skin below the navel. The incision is often hidden in the bikini line, just above the pubis (pubic bone). The abdominal muscles below the navel may be strengthened. It is also possible to remove excess fat in the lower abdomen. For detailed information on the specific procedure mini abdominoplasty, please visit our dedicated mini abdominoplasty page.

In a full tummy tuck (tummy tuck or total abdominoplasty), the plastic surgeon at Wellness Kliniek removes excess skin and fat, above and below the navel. Slack abdominal muscles are strengthened to restore a tight abdominal wall. The navel may be repositioned to create a natural look. The full tummy tuck is the most popular abdominoplasty tummy tuck treatment at Wellness Kliniek.

The Fleur-de-Lis tummy tuck is a major abdominoplasty in which an incision is made both horizontally and vertically to remove excess flabby skin and fat on the abdomen and correct your muscles, creating an inverted ‘T’ shaped scar. This procedure is especially necessary after much weight loss, where there is significant excess skin, on both the abdomen and the sides of the abdomen, that cannot be fully addressed with a standard or total tummy tuck.

In Fleur-de-Lis surgery, the navel is repositioned and reattached. Thus, a scar is also visible around the navel.

A reverse tummy tuck is also known as a reverse abdominoplasty or an inverted tummy tuck. A reverse tummy tuck specifically targets the upper abdomen, above the navel. Unlike a traditional tummy tuck (where the skin is primarily pulled downwards), this technique involves pulling the excess skin and tissue upwards towards the breast crease.

The incisions are discreetly placed in the natural fold, leaving a scar underneath the breasts (inframammary fold). This means the scar can often be easily concealed beneath a crop top. This is ideal for people who have already invested a great deal of effort in their transformation and want a natural, aesthetically pleasing result.

This method is particularly suitable for you if you:

• Have lost a significant amount of weight, for example after gastric surgery, weight-loss injections or dieting.
• Mainly have excess loose skin and muscle laxity above the navel (in the stomach area and along the rib cage).
• Want a firmer contour of the upper abdomen (above the navel) without a long scar across the entire lower abdomen.
• Want a smooth transition as an addition to your tummy tuck (lower abdomen) during the same operation.
• Have previously undergone a tummy tuck or traditional abdominoplasty, but the upper abdomen still does not have the desired result and you want to further optimise the outcome.

It is sometimes possible to have your tummy tuck and a thigh lift (butt lift) done simultaneously in one operation. A thigh lift, or thigh plasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper thighs to make the legs tighter and better shaped. The plastic surgeons at Wellness Kliniek usually prefer to do a major, combined, procedure of your abdomen and thighs in two stages. This eliminates the need for a long anaesthetic and makes the surgery safer.

Women tend to have more subcutaneous fat (fat under the skin), which is easier to treat with liposuction or abdominoplasty. In men, excess fat is often deeper, namely around the organs in the abdomen (visceral fat), which cannot be corrected with liposuction or abdominoplasty. Unfortunately, this type of fat can only be reduced through diet and exercise.

In short, the bodies/abdominal regions of men and women differ. And abdominoplasty men are therefore less likely to be among the options than for a woman. Nevertheless, something is often possible, and it also varies from man to man. During a no-obligation consultation, you will receive personal advice based on your body shape.

If you have excess skin and fat around your waist but are otherwise in good health, you are eligible for an abdominoplasty. Commonly cited reasons for a tummy tuck:

• Abdominoplasty after pregnancy: a tummy tuck is very useful for women who have had one or more children resulting in stretched skin and muscles.
• Abdominoplasty after weight loss: after losing weight, the skin often does not stretch back to its once tighter state. Abdominoplasty then offers a solution.
• Abdominoplasty due to age: the process of ageing cannot be stopped and can result in sagging and thickened skin at the abdomen. This can also be a reason to opt for a tummy tuck.

If you plan to lose a lot more weight, it is better to wait with a tummy tuck. If you are overweight, it is a better choice to lose weight first and if your BMI is too high (higher than 34), a tummy tuck is not suitable for you (yet), as it increases the risks of infections, post-bleeding and tissue necrosis. Also, if you are still planning to become pregnant, waiting a while is a better option.

The benefits and options of a tummy tuck vary from person to person. We advise you to discuss this in detail with your plastic surgeon at Wellness Kliniek. You can book a no-obligation consultation for this.

The Fleur-de-Lis surgery (Fleur-de-Lis abdominoplasty) is a larger abdominoplasty suitable for people with significant excess skin. You often experience such an amount of excess skin after losing a lot of weight (possibly through medical procedures, such as gastric sleeve or bypass or slimming medications such as Ozempic). Fleur-de-Lis experiences show that patients often see this as the final step in their transformation to a slimmer body. The Fleur-de-Lis surgery before and after result is therefore significant: your dressed profile is much more attractive, the tummy looks tighter again.

Fleur-de-Lis surgery requires a similar approach to total abdominoplasty, only more excess skin will be removed. You don't have to decide for yourself whether the Fleur-de-Lis tummy tuck, the total abdominoplasty or the mini abdominoplasty suits you better. The plastic surgeon analyses your abdomen and makes a treatment plan. This will be revealed during the no-obligation consultation at Wellness Kliniek.

Tummy tucks or abdominoplasties lead to wonderful results in our patients. In most cases, the results remain visible for life. Getting pregnant after a tummy tuck, or gaining weight, can affect the results, though.

After a tummy tuck, you can expect a tighter and flatter abdomen with less excess skin and fat, but also scarring and a recovery time of several weeks. If you have realistic expectations, understand that you will have permanent scarring and that you will need to recover for a while, then abdominoplasty is a perfect choice.

An abdominoplasty involves removing excess skin and fat and strengthening the abdominal muscles if necessary; the navel is sometimes repositioned. The plastic surgeon usually makes an incision just above the pubic area, sometimes from hip to hip, after which the skin is tightened and stitched. The treatment takes from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the type of surgery. You should allow for a recovery period that lasts several weeks.

The abdominal muscles can be corrected subcutaneously even without removing skin. In this case, the surgeon uses very fine instruments under the skin through an incision in the pubic area. This allows the doctor to tighten the sagging muscles under the skin. This results in minimal scarring. Usually, this treatment is combined with an abdominoplasty.

Stretch marks on the abdomen can be (partially) removed with plastic surgery for the abdomen. The skin with stretch marks below the navel can be removed with abdominoplasty treatment. Stretch marks above the navel and on the flanks usually remain (partially) present, but can become less visible by tightening the skin of the abdomen.

The tummy tuck operation takes between 1 and 4 hours, depending on the complexity of the tummy tuck. A tummy tuck is performed under general anaesthesia. After surgery, you will be given a compression abdominal belt or bandage. Depending on the extent of the procedure and the type of abdominoplasty, you will stay overnight at the Wellness Kliniek.

After abdominoplasty, you can expect swelling, pain and bruising. It may take 6 to 12 months to see final results. Scars after abdominoplasty will fade over time (after 18 months) but remain present.

Abdominoplasty recovery takes about two to six weeks, depending on the type of abdominoplasty. During this period, it is important not to do any heavy physical work. Exercising after the tummy tuck is also not recommended at first.

A numb, painful or tight feeling after a tummy tuck is normal and often occurs as a result of the procedure where skin and nerves are moved or stretched. This feeling may persist for several weeks to months while the nerves recover, and the tight feeling usually disappears gradually as the skin and muscles adjust to the new position.

After an abdominoplasty, also called tummy tuck, it is best to avoid strenuous physical activity, lifting and sports for the first few weeks, and wear a compression bandage or abdominal belt to reduce swelling and promote scar healing. It is also important to get enough rest, not to smoke, and to keep the wound clean to avoid complications.

After your treatment, we will give you clear, personalised, living rules after abdominoplasty. In general, you should take it easy for the first six weeks.

• After a mini abdominoplasty, you can usually resume light work after 1 to 2 weeks, depending on your recovery.
• With a full abdominoplasty, it usually takes 2 to 4 weeks before you can return to work, especially if your work is physically strenuous.
• After a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck, recovery usually takes 6 weeks before you can return to work.

Before the procedure, expectations will be discussed with you so that you can plan your recovery. Many patients prefer to take an extra week off just to be on the safe side so they can unwind after treatment.

It is smart to resume intensive activities and contact sports only after 6 to 8 weeks, as the recovering muscles and tissues should not be overloaded. You may, however, start walking slowly after 2 weeks.

Usually, compression garments are worn for 4 to 6 weeks. The pressure reduces swelling and promotes the healing process. Compression garments (abdominal bandages) help heal the scar on your abdomen and provide smoother skin.

No, preferably not, it can cause symptoms. It is better to sleep on your back, often with a pillow under your knees. You will receive personal advice on this.

After a tummy tuck, you are usually not allowed to shower immediately. Showering after a tummy tuck is possible only after 2 to 10 days, depending on your surgeon's instructions. It is important to keep the wound dry and protect any dressings or drains from getting wet according to your doctor's advice.

You will be given personal instructions on this. However, it may be pleasant to ask for help with washing, as you may do so with a wet flannel. As long as the wound is kept dry so that it can recover better.

Swelling after abdominoplasty will remain noticeable for 2 to 4 weeks, with the greatest swelling in the first few days after surgery. Although the swelling decreases significantly after about a month, it can take up to 6 months for the swelling to disappear completely and for the final result to become permanently visible. Compression garments or an abdominal bandage and following the rules of life will help reduce swelling and speed up recovery.

Yes. The result of abdominoplasty is basically permanent, provided you maintain a stable weight and do not become pregnant. Factors such as ageing, weight fluctuations, or another pregnancy can affect the result and possibly cause skin and muscle laxity again. So ageing, losing a lot of weight or gaining weight after abdominoplasty can cause the tummy tuck result to not stay looking like it did just after the procedure.

The scar after abdominoplasty is usually located low on the lower abdomen, just above the pubic area, and can extend from hip to hip. The scar after tummy tuck will never disappear completely, but fortunately it will lighten and fade, making it less visible. Moreover, a scar after abdominoplasty is usually easy to hide under clothes, your pants or a bikini. Depending on the type of abdominoplasty, the tummy tuck scar will be longer or shorter. If the navel is repositioned, you will also have a scar around your navel.

On darker skin, the scar after abdominoplasty may heal differently than on lighter skin, with the risk of hyperpigmentation (dark discolouration of the scar) or hypertrophic scars (thickened scars) being slightly higher. People with darker skin may also be more prone to keloids, a form of excessive scar tissue. Good aftercare, such as using scar creams, and avoiding sunlight on the scarred area, can help improve scar healing and minimise discolouration of the abdominoplasty scar.

For a successful tummy tuck, it is important that you have had a discussion with the plastic surgeon who will operate on you. It is also desirable that you have a stable weight and stop smoking a few weeks before the operation. In addition, in consultation with your surgeon, you should avoid certain medications such as blood thinners.

Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare and what to do the morning of the operation. Make sure you set up a comfortable recovery room at home and arrange help for the first few days after surgery. Proper preparation ensures a smooth recovery and optimal results.

During the procedure, you will not feel any pain as you will be sedated. Only after recovering may you experience some pain and discomfort in the days after the procedure. Pain medication is prescribed to reduce this, and the pain usually subsides within a week.

Yes, back pain after a tummy tuck is normal and is often caused by your body changing its posture during recovery, which can put tension on the back muscles.

A seroma is an accumulation of clear body fluid (serum) that can form under the skin after a tummy tuck. This often occurs where tissues have been loosened during surgery and can cause swelling or a lump filled with fluid. The fluid is usually naturally absorbed by the body, but sometimes it needs to be removed by the surgeon, at the follow-up checkup, to avoid complications. Removing a seroma after abdominoplasty is easy, quick and does not hurt.

Yes, liposuction is often combined with abdominoplasty at Wellness Kliniek to further improve the contours of the abdomen, waist, hips and back. This combination results in a tighter and slimmer profile. Your surgeon will determine if this combination is suitable based on your specific situation and the goal you want to achieve.

• A full tummy tuck (total abdominoplasty) involves removing fat not only below the navel, but also above it. Often, the navel is moved to a higher level. This makes the procedure a bit more extensive and suitable if you also have fat accumulation at the top of your navel.
• With a mini tummy tuck, only the skin and fat below the navel is corrected, with no relocation of the navel and a shorter scar, making it suitable for a smaller tummy tuck.

A no-obligation consultation will reveal which procedure suits you best. A tummy tuck is tailor-made. The plastic surgeon at Wellness Kliniek analyses your tummy contour, gives expert advice and always aims for the best result.

A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat and firms the abdominal muscles through a horizontal incision at the base of the abdomen. The scar often runs from hip to hip.

With a Fleur-de-Lis tummy tuck, a vertical incision is made in addition to the horizontal incision, allowing more skin to be removed, especially for people who have lost a lot of weight. The Fleur-de-Lis technique offers great results, but leaves an additional visible scar in the centre of the abdomen.

With a (full or traditional) abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), the excess skin on your abdomen is pulled downwards, and the main incision runs horizontally across the lower abdomen, from hip to hip. The surgeon places this incision as low as possible – just above the pubic hairline, in the natural crease or along the bikini line – so that the scar can later be concealed beneath underwear or a bikini.

This allows the surgeon to remove excess skin from your lower abdomen and tighten the skin downwards. The navel is also usually repositioned. This technique is particularly suitable if you have excess skin below the navel, weakened abdominal muscles and a sagging abdominal wall following pregnancy or weight loss.

With a reverse abdominoplasty or reverse tummy tuck (reverse tummy tuck), the excess skin on your abdomen is pulled upwards, and the main incision runs horizontally underneath your breasts. This allows the surgeon to remove the excess skin and tighten the skin upwards.

This tummy lift often produces the best results for men and women who have lost a significant amount of weight, for example after gastric bypass surgery, through weight-loss pills, injections or strict dieting. The reverse abdominoplasty technique is particularly suitable when the skin in the upper abdomen (around the diaphragm and stomach area) has become very loose and sagging, resulting in folds of skin. A reverse abdominoplasty (reverse tummy tuck), in which the abdominal skin is lifted upwards, generally provides the best results in terms of improving the body contour and silhouette in these cases.

A reverse tummy tuck (above the navel) combined with a traditional tummy tuck (lower abdomen) is a popular combination at Wellness Kliniek.

Ideal for optimising your silhouette after weight loss: At our clinic, a reverse tummy tuck is often combined with a full tummy tuck if you have lost a significant amount of weight and want to regain a firm silhouette. Combining both procedures is often necessary to achieve the best possible aesthetic result.

• Reverse tummy tuck: Specifically targets the upper abdomen (above the waist). The excess skin is lifted upwards by the surgeon towards the breast crease, making your stomach and rib area firmer and smoother and improving your silhouette.
• Full tummy tuck: Treats the lower abdomen, removes excess skin folds below and around the navel and can also strengthen your abdominal muscles (rectus diastasis) if needed.

By combining both procedures – often referred to as a 'reverse upper + modified lower abdominoplasty' – you achieve a more attractive, even contour across the entire abdomen, without a transitional fold. This is ideal after significant weight loss, when there are excess skin folds in both the upper and lower abdomen.

Sometimes both procedures can be performed during a single operation. In other cases, the surgeon may opt for treatment in several stages, always taking your health and the duration of the procedure under general anaesthesia into account.

The surgeons at Wellness Kliniek specialise in plastic surgery aimed at optimising body contours. We are internationally recognised in this field and have extensive experience in body contouring and combining procedures. The following procedures are frequently performed in combination with reverse abdominal surgery:

A reverse tummy tuck can be combined with:

• A full tummy tuck and abdominal muscle tightening (lower abdomen).
• Liposuction where necessary, for a more even and balanced result.
• Breast lifting and/or tightening (breasts often become looser following weight loss).
• Arm lifts, such as removing excess skin from the upper arms.
• Thigh lifts, such as removing excess skin from the thighs.

Your surgeon will choose from various types of tummy tuck techniques to achieve the best result. Precision, personalised treatment and minimal tissue damage help to ensure a more natural, symmetrical and long-lasting result, with less visible scars.

Tummy tucks and liposuction are our specialities and are among the most frequently performed procedures at Wellness Kliniek. We have more than 30 years of experience and have performed thousands of aesthetic abdominal corrections.

As no two abdomens are the same, we offer a wide range of surgical abdominal correction techniques. There are clear aesthetic differences between the approaches:

If you only have loose skin below the navel, a mini abdominoplasty may be suitable for you. If the excess skin is located both above and below the navel, a traditional or full tummy tuck is generally more common. Additional excess skin around the flanks sometimes requires an extended version. After significant weight loss, a Fleur-de-Lis tummy tuck (horizontal and vertical scar) or a reverse abdominoplasty (scar in the breast crease) may be necessary. Aesthetic plastic surgery is precision work, tailored to each individual patient.

At Wellness Kliniek, you know exactly what you will pay. Our prices are completely transparent. We specialise in aesthetic abdominal correction and offer a wide range of options.

You can find the prices for abdominal correction procedures, such as a mini tummy tuck, a full tummy tuck, a Fleur-de-Lis tummy tuck and a reverse tummy tuck, in our price list.

The all-inclusive price covers the operation performed by an experienced surgeon, general anaesthesia with an anaesthetist, post-operative check-ups, compression garments and aftercare. VAT is included (or exempt where there is a medical indication). You also benefit from our quality guarantee, which includes a free correction within the first year if medically necessary.

Good to know: A medical indication (MI*) may qualify you for VAT exemption.

Ideally, you should wait until your weight has stabilised (preferably with no fluctuations of more than 5 kg over a period of 6 to 12 months).

For a safe operation and a good result, your BMI should preferably be below 30–32. Being overweight increases the risk of complications, such as wound-healing problems or infections.

After gastric reduction surgery, our surgeons often recommend waiting 12 to 18 months. Following pregnancy or significant weight loss through weight-loss pills, it is also important that your weight remains stable before undergoing a tummy tuck.

Stopping smoking and maintaining a good, protein-rich diet are essential for a smooth recovery after a tummy tuck following weight loss.

A tummy tuck is usually performed on adults aged between 30 and 65, when skin elasticity decreases and the effects of ageing, pregnancy or weight loss become more apparent. There is no exact age limit, but it is important that you are in good general health and have no plans for future pregnancies or major weight chan

The dad bod is also known as the dad belly. This is a normal body that a man gets with age. Features include a drooping belly with flabby skin, or conversely, thickened skin with a belly that is far forward. With a tummy tuck for men, the dad bod can sometimes be addressed, but not always. This is because fat is often positioned differently (deeper) in men than in women.

If the tummy tuck man does not solve your issue, we at Wellness Kliniek have plenty of other techniques in house that may achieve the desired result. Personal advice on tummy tuck men and alternative procedures is important. So book a no-obligation consultation and go for a tight men's abdomen.

Diastasis (rectus diastasis) involves stretching the tissues between the straight abdominal muscles. It is common during pregnancy as the abdomen grows. But diastasis in men can also occur, for example due to weak tissue between the abdominal muscles and high pressure in the abdomen. This can cause the abdominal muscles to be pushed apart. Diastasis is also known as abdominal wall flabbiness.

For diastasis in men or women, (physio) exercises are normally recommended. If this does not help, then surgery such as a tummy tuck after diastasis may be considered. This can potentially be a solution, but often only if the diastasis is accompanied by excess skin. Tummy tuck for diastasis for men and women does not always work. Personalised advice based on your body is necessary.

Yes, a repeat abdominoplasty is possible if you want to optimise the original result or if changes such as weight gain or pregnancy have affected the shape of your abdomen. It is important that you have recovered sufficiently from the first operation before considering a second procedure, and this should always be done in consultation with an experienced surgeon.

Are you unsure whether to undergo the tummy tuck in a hospital or a private clinic? The choice depends on your personal preference and indication as well as your budget. In some cases, a tummy tuck in a hospital can be reimbursed by the mutual insurance company or insurance company. Usually, this is not the case at an aesthetic clinic.

A tummy tuck for medical indication is, in any case, VAT-free, even at a private clinic. A tummy tuck with medical indication is, for example, if the operation is medically necessary due to severe excess skin, hernias, or physical complaints such as skin irritations or back pain. In that case, you can go to a private clinic such as Wellness Kliniek. Discover tummy tuck prices for medical indication (MI) in the price table.

The specialists at Wellness Kliniek who perform abdominoplasty are certified plastic surgeons and have a lot of experience with this procedure. It is important to choose a certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in aesthetic abdominoplasty, good patient reviews and a portfolio of successful before and after results. It is advisable to have an informative consultation and feel comfortable with the surgeon and the clinic before making a decision.

Transparency is very important to us, which is why we share our specialists' experiences and CVs. Check out the top surgeons and specialists at Wellness Kliniek for tummy tuck Belgium.

The best clinic abdominoplasty, or a good tummy tuck clinic, provides experienced plastic surgeons and safe care. The best clinic for abdominoplasty offers modern techniques and facilities. They have internationally recognised quality marks such as ISO 9001. Opt for a clinic that will inform you in detail about all the advantages and disadvantages of abdominoplasty and get personalised advice on the results. Being able to book a free consultation, i.e. without being tied down to anything, is important to make sure your expectations are in line with the possibilities.

Wellness Kliniek is at the international top for the procedure tummy tuck. We receive patients from all over the world. We offer the international quality assurance ISO 9001.

Yes, sometimes it is possible to reduce or even completely remove caesarean section scars with a tummy tuck. The procedure involves removing excess skin. As a result, the scar can often be repositioned or (almost) completely removed. The doctor at Wellness Kliniek can inform you personally about this based on your scar and abdomen.

Liposuction is a good method to get rid of belly fat. This involves removing fat above and below the navel. Do you suffer from sagging skin afterwards? Then you can also have the excess skin removed. With a full tummy tuck, both techniques can be combined for a tighter abdomen with less abdominal fat. By the way, it is initially recommended to follow a diet to get rid of belly fat. Do you continue to suffer from stubborn belly fat? Then the tummy tuck can be a good solution.