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All seven Medical Spheres ›After pregnancy or major weight loss, the abdomen is often left with skin that exercise can no longer change. The procedure removes it, tightens the muscles if needed and places the scar so low that underwear usually covers it.
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Typical figures from the clinics. Your personal plan is discussed at the preliminary consultation.
The starting point
Pregnancy, major fluctuations in weight and ageing stretch the skin on the abdomen – sometimes so much that it no longer retracts. Between the navel and the pubic area, an excess of skin and soft fat remains; in pronounced cases, an overhanging apron of skin.
Often the abdominal wall itself is involved too: after pregnancy, the straight abdominal muscles can separate, a condition known as diastasis recti. Exercise strengthens the muscles, but it cannot bring back overstretched skin.
A tummy tuck is not a way to lose weight. It makes sense once your weight is stable and your family planning is complete, as a later pregnancy can change the result again. After very major weight loss, for example following obesity surgery, the excess often affects several areas; for this there are dedicated options such as post-bariatric body contouring or a body lift.
After pregnancy, the changes often go beyond the abdomen. Under the name mommy makeover, a tummy tuck is therefore often combined with a breast lift, liposuction or breast implants. This is not a medical term but a plan made up of several procedures, based on the individual findings.
The treatment
Excess skin and fatty tissue on the lower abdomen – up to the rib cage if needed – are removed and the remaining skin is redraped.
If the abdominal muscles have slackened or separated, they can be tightened in the same procedure.
The scar sits low on the abdomen and can usually be hidden under underwear and swimwear. Stretch marks and scars on the section of skin that is removed go with it.
Aesthetics & Function.
Medical Sphere · Harmony in Aesthetics & FunctionThe path
The findings determine how extensive the procedure will be: from the lower abdomen alone to tightening the entire abdominal wall.
A specialist assesses excess skin, fatty tissue, muscles and elasticity and asks about your weight history and family planning.
The variant is decided: a mini tummy tuck of the lower abdomen, a full tummy tuck with a repositioned navel or an extended tummy tuck that also includes the flanks – with liposuction if needed.
Under general anaesthesia, the skin is lifted through an incision just above the pubic area, tightened and the excess removed; if necessary, the muscles are drawn together. Drains or special sutures prevent wound fluid from collecting.
This is usually followed by one or two nights in the clinic. In many cases, drains are removed the day after the operation.
A compression garment or abdominal binder is worn for four to six weeks. Pain can usually be relieved well with medication. The stitches are removed after one to two weeks.
Light work is often possible after two to three weeks, heavy lifting after three to four weeks and sport after six to eight weeks. Many people can move without restriction after about three months.
The abdomen looks flatter straight after the operation. The final result can be judged after about six months, once swelling and scar have settled.
Self-pay or statutory insurance
For aesthetic reasons
A tummy tuck intended mainly to improve shape is not covered by German statutory health insurance. The group’s private clinics charge it as a self-pay treatment; the price depends on the variant, the length of the operation and the stay.
You will receive a personal quote after the preliminary consultation. Several clinics offer financing in instalments.
When medically necessary
If an apron of skin after major weight loss causes recurring inflammation in the skin fold, there may be a medical necessity. Whether health insurance covers the costs is assessed case by case.
Operations with cost coverage take place at the Bürgerspital Wertheim; pre- and aftercare are possible close to home.
Specialists
Operations are performed by specialists, most of them in plastic and aesthetic surgery. Under each name you will find their specialist title and the locations where they perform tummy tucks.
Locations
Each clinic shows on its own website how the treatment works there.
Germany
Specialist clinic for plastic and aesthetic surgery at the group’s headquarters, offering both mini and full tummy tucks.
Book an appointmentGermany
Specialist clinic on Rothenbaumchaussee; the mini tummy tuck of the lower abdomen can also be booked online here.
Book an appointmentGermany
Specialist clinic for plastic and aesthetic surgery, also in combination with liposuction.
Book an appointmentGermany
Private clinic within the Bürgerspital Wertheim, with intensive care in the same building.
Book an appointmentThe Netherlands
Treatment in the Netherlands; where the findings allow, also with a suture technique that does without drains.
Book an appointmentFrequently asked questions
The mini tummy tuck is limited to the lower abdomen; the scar is shorter and the navel usually stays where it is. The full tummy tuck extends up to the rib cage, the navel is repositioned and the scar runs to the hip bones. Which variant is right depends on where and how much excess skin there is.
Horizontally across the lower abdomen, just above the pubic area – with a full tummy tuck as far as the hip bones – plus a fine scar around the navel. It is planned so that underwear and swimwear usually cover it. If vertical tightening is also needed, the result is an anchor-shaped scar that is more visible.
If the straight abdominal muscles have separated or the abdominal wall has slackened, the muscles can be tightened in the same procedure. The examination at the preliminary consultation shows whether this makes sense.
A feeling of tightness, swelling and bruising are normal in the first few days; the pain can usually be treated well with medication and, if healing goes well, subsides within two weeks. If the muscles were tightened, laughing and coughing will pull noticeably at first.
This is generally possible but may change the result again. That is why many people only plan the operation once their family planning is complete.
Possible risks include wound-healing problems, infection, post-operative bleeding, fluid collecting under the skin (seromas) and wider scars. Numbness of the lower abdomen is common at first and usually improves over time. In addition, there are the general risks of anaesthesia.
Yes, the hips and waist are often treated with liposuction in the same procedure to round off the contour. However, each additional step lengthens the operation and is therefore weighed up at the preliminary consultation.
The name for combining several procedures after pregnancy and breastfeeding: usually a tummy tuck and a breast lift, often with liposuction and, if needed, breast implants. It is planned once family planning is complete and at least six months have passed since you stopped breastfeeding. Whether everything can be done in one operation or in two steps depends on your health and the length of the anaesthesia and is decided at the preliminary consultation. As an aesthetic treatment, it is paid for privately.
Not if the main concern is shape. An apron of skin with recurring inflammation after major weight loss may amount to a medical necessity – this is assessed case by case.
Further reading
In-depth articles from the group's clinics.
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Reviews
CGCE GroupVerified
5,888 reviews on ProvenExpert
This was the best decision I have ever taken for myself. The whole experience has changed my life for the better. From the first consultation I felt welcomed and treated very well. I did not feel alone during the journey because the team were just a WhatsApp away and they made regular check-ups on me. Thank you for everyone at the hospital from the staff to the doctors, you are all amazing.
Weight Doctors South AfricaWow, was für ein erster Eindruck! Dr. Frank Gruner, dessen Professionalität von jahrelanger Erfahrung zeugt, war äußerst verständlich und menschlich (was mir sehr wichtig war). Er verstand meine Bedürfnisse, und seine Erklärungen und Anweisungen entsprachen genau meinen Vorstellungen. Die Patientenberaterin Jennifer war mit ihrem Charme ebenfalls eine große Hilfe und erklärte mir alles Notwendige und den weiteren Ablauf. Auch die Mitarbeiter am Empfang waren sehr höflich und freundlich. Ich melde mich nach der Operation mit meinen Eindrücken zurück. Vielen Dank an alle!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch habe eine Unterlidstraffung machen lassen und bin mit dem Ergebnis sehr zufrieden. Mein Dank geht vor allem an Frau Dr. Simidjiiska für ihre Fürsorge, Kompetenz und Empathie. Aber auch das gesamte Team der Klinik macht einen hervorragenden Job!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch bin rundum begeistert von meiner Erfahrung in dieser Haartransplantationsklinik. Von der ersten Kontaktaufnahme bis zur Nachsorge war alles hervorragend organisiert und professionell. Das gesamte Team war unglaublich freundlich, hilfsbereit und zuvorkommend. Man hat sich jederzeit gut aufgehoben und ernst genommen gefühlt. Besonders positiv fand ich, dass sich alle Mitarbeiter ausreichend Zeit genommen haben, um meine Fragen zu beantworten und jeden Schritt verständlich zu erklären. Auch der Service war erstklassig. Die Organisation, die Betreuung vor und nach dem Eingriff sowie die Kommunikation waren wirklich hervorragend. Das gesamte Team hat einen sehr kompetenten und gleichzeitig menschlichen Eindruck gemacht. Die Klinik selbst ist modern, sauber und sehr gut ausgestattet. Während der Behandlung wurde äußerst sorgfältig und professionell gearbeitet, und ich hatte zu jedem Zeitpunkt das Gefühl, in guten Händen zu sein. Ein großes Dankeschön an das gesamte Team für die tolle Betreuung und den freundlichen Umgang! Ich kann die Klinik absolut weiterempfehlen und bin mit meiner bisherigen Erfahrung sehr zufrieden. Wer Wert auf Professionalität, Qualität und einen hervorragenden Service legt, ist hier meiner Meinung nach bestens aufgehoben.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanBisher war es nur ein Beratungsgespräch aber es war sehr gut.
Weight Doctors Group · Original in GermanIch fand, dass der Arzt gut und verständlich erklärt hat. Ich habe diese Woche noch einen Termin in einer anderen Klinik, da ich mich gründlich informieren möchte; auch der Preis wird dabei eine Rolle spielen – darüber bin ich ganz offen.
QUOLE Medisch Centrum · Original in GermanHervorragende Behandlung. Von der ersten Beratung bis zur Nachsorge hat mir Dr. Koch stets ein sehr gutes Gefühl vermittelt. Ich litt jahrelang unter einer echten Gynäkomastie, nach der OP kann sich das Ergebnis sehen lassen, mein Selbstbewusstsein ist endlich zurückgekehrt. Ich kann die Alster Klinik jedem empfehlen, der schon lange mit dem Gedanken spielt sich operieren zu lassen.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanDr. Schubert gab mir das Gefühl, in genau der richtigen Praxis zu sein für mein Anliegen. Ich habe mich beim Beratungsgespräch sehr wohl gefühlt und verstanden gefühlt.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanÜber die ehrliche Einschätzung
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanIch habe mich sehr wohl geführt, das Gespräch war sehr gut, die Ärztin hat mir sehr ausführlich alles erklärt und bin mit einem sehr guten Gefühl nach Hause gegangen.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch bin eine sehr ängstliche Person. Bei Herrn Dr. Neis habe ich mich sofort wohlgefühlt. Behandlungsgespräche, Umgang, Freundlichkeit – es passt alles. Ich kann ihn ohne Bedenken und Einschränkung nur weiter empfehlen. Dankeschön Herr Dr. Neis für die tolle Arbeit.
CGCE Group · Original in GermanDr. Klarner ist sehr nett, hat mich sehr gut beraten und aufgeklärt. Ich hab mich gut aufgehoben gefühlt, vielen Dank!
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Dr. med. Karina Baier
Dr. med. Michael Bromba
Dr. med. Katharina Dette-Oltmann
Dr. med. Frank Gruner
Dr. med. Uwe Herrboldt
Dr. med. Stephan Klarner
Dr. med. Martin Koch
Dr. med. J. Philipp Neis
Dr. med. Martin Reifenrath
Dr. med. Maria Simidjiiska
Prof. Dr. med. Mathias Witt
Dr. med. univ. Nura Zamani