Body contouring in Alicante
Removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen and, when needed, repairing the separation of the stomach muscles that is often left after pregnancy or major weight loss. It leaves a low scar and recovery takes time, so before suggesting it Dr Navarro assesses whether it is the right option for you.
Anaesthesia
General
Duration
2 to 4 hours
Hospital stay
Usually one night
Compression garment
About 4 to 6 weeks
Back to work
Around 2 to 3 weeks
Result
Gradual, from 3 to 12 months
Approximate figures. They are confirmed at your consultation for each case.
The technique
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and tightens the skin over the rest of it. It is done through a low horizontal incision, above the pubic area and from hip to hip, designed so that the scar sits under your underwear or swimwear. The belly button is kept and moved to its new position, with a small scar around it.
Often, especially after one or more pregnancies, the rectus muscles of the abdomen have separated along the midline (diastasis recti) and the tummy bulges even without much fat. In that case, a plication is carried out: the muscles are brought back together with internal stitches, which restores firmness to the abdominal wall and improves the waistline. It is often combined with liposuction of the flanks.
Depending on how much excess skin there is, there are variations: the mini tummy tuck, for a limited excess below the belly button, and the circumferential tummy tuck, which also treats the back and is considered after very significant weight loss.
It is not a weight-loss treatment. It works best with a stable weight and when you are not planning any more pregnancies. The scar is permanent, although it usually fades and becomes more discreet over time.
Suitability
If the excess skin is small and only below the belly button, a mini tummy tuck may be enough; if the excess is fat and the skin is firm, liposuction may be. It is best to wait if you want more children or if your weight is not yet stable.
Smoking greatly increases the risk of healing problems, so you need to stop for some weeks before and after surgery.
Before you decide
At your first consultation you are seen personally by Dr Navarro. The aim is to understand what bothers you about your abdomen and to decide, after an examination, which technique makes sense in your case.
01
Pregnancies, changes in weight, previous operations such as a caesarean section, and what you would like to improve.
02
The amount of excess skin, how the fat is distributed, the condition of the muscle wall and any hernias, and the position of the belly button and any previous scars.
03
Which type of tummy tuck Dr Navarro recommends, where the scar will be, whether plication or liposuction is needed and what recovery will involve.
04
You take the information away in writing, with the quote and the risks. You can ask about anything you are unsure of before you decide.
On the day of surgery
Before
Pre-operative tests and an assessment by the anaesthetist. If you smoke, you will need to stop well in advance. On the day of surgery, Dr Navarro marks out the design of the incision.
Start
It is carried out under general anaesthesia. A low incision is made above the pubic area, following the marked design.
Abdominal wall
If there is diastasis, the rectus muscles are brought together along the midline with internal stitches. If appropriate, liposuction of the flanks is added.
Finish
The excess skin is removed, the belly button is repositioned and the wound is closed in layers. Drains are left if needed and a compression garment is fitted.
Afterwards
Days 1 to 3
Discomfort and a feeling of tightness, controlled with the prescribed medication. You walk from the first day, bending slightly forward so as not to put tension on the scar.
First week
Follow-up appointment at the clinic and removal of the drains, if any were placed. The compression garment is worn day and night.
Weeks 2 to 4
With work that is not physically demanding, many patients return after 2 to 3 weeks. Avoid lifting heavy objects, and care for the scar with the creams or dressings Dr Navarro recommends.
From one month
If the muscles have been plicated, exercise is avoided for at least a month and intense abdominal exercise usually has to wait a little longer. Dr Navarro will tell you when to start.
From 3 to 12 months
The abdomen looks flatter from the start, but it takes months for the swelling to go down completely. By around 3 months the contour is usually quite well defined; the final result and the scar continue to improve for up to a year, depending on the person.
Comparison
The difference lies in how much excess skin there is and where it is. It is not a question of better or worse: each technique has its own indication.
| Mini tummy tuck | Full tummy tuck | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | A limited excess of skin and fatty tissue below the belly button. | Excess skin above and below the belly button, often with diastasis. |
| Scar | Shorter, above the pubic area, similar in length to a caesarean scar. | Longer, low and from hip to hip, plus a small scar around the belly button. |
| Belly button | Not usually repositioned. | Moved to its new position. |
| Muscles | The lower part of the abdominal wall can be reinforced if needed. | Plication of the rectus muscles from top to bottom when there is diastasis. |
| Recovery | Usually shorter. | Longer, with more weeks of aftercare. |
Important information
Like any surgery, a tummy tuck carries risks. They are uncommon, but it is important to know about them before you decide:
Dr Navarro will go through them with you at your consultation, and they will be set out in the informed consent form.
Common questions
Low down, above the pubic area and from hip to hip, designed to sit under your underwear or swimwear. There is also a small scar around the belly button.
It is the separation of the two rectus muscles of the abdomen along the midline, which is common after pregnancy. If present, it is corrected during the same operation with a plication.
It depends on your job and the extent of the surgery. With work that is not physically demanding, it is usually around 2 to 3 weeks.
The abdomen looks flatter from the first few days, but the swelling goes down gradually. By around 3 months the contour is usually quite well defined, and the final result and the scar are assessed between 6 and 12 months, depending on the person.
It removes those on the skin that is taken away, usually the ones below the belly button. The others do not disappear, although they may look slightly better once the skin is tightened.
Yes, but a later pregnancy can stretch the skin and muscles again. That is why it is advisable to have surgery once you are no longer planning any more pregnancies.
It is sometimes combined with liposuction or breast surgery. Dr Navarro assesses in each case whether it is sensible to do this in a single operation.
It depends on the type of tummy tuck and whether plication or liposuction is added. The quote is confirmed after your first consultation.
Your surgeon
Plastic surgeon in Alicante, focused on facial, breast and body surgery. He sees you personally at the first consultation, during surgery and at every follow-up.
“Every procedure is unique. My commitment is to combine advanced technique with sound medical judgement, with one clear aim: natural results in harmony with your face and body.”
Clinic at Carrer de Velázquez, 2, 03560 El Campello (Alicante)
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