Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is a transformative procedure for patients dealing with excess abdominal skin, separated muscles, and stubborn fat after pregnancy, significant weight loss, or aging. This guide covers candidacy, surgical technique, and recovery in detail.
Who Is a Candidate?
Ideal candidates include those with post-pregnancy abdominal laxity and muscle separation, excess skin after significant weight loss, exercise-resistant abdominal bulging from diastasis recti, or combined skin excess and fat accumulation. Patients should be at a stable weight, in good general health, and ideally not planning future pregnancies.
The Surgical Procedure
Performed under general anesthesia, a bikini-line incision extends from hip to hip. Through this access, excess skin and subcutaneous fat between the navel and pubis are removed. If diastasis recti is present, the separated rectus muscles are repaired with internal sutures — this step is crucial for restoring core strength and a flat abdominal profile. The belly button is repositioned through a new opening. Surgery takes 2-4 hours.
Mini vs. Full Abdominoplasty
Mini abdominoplasty addresses limited sagging below the navel with a shorter incision and no navel repositioning. Full abdominoplasty is indicated when excess skin extends above the navel and comprehensive muscle repair is needed.
Recovery
Rest for the first 1-2 weeks with a slight forward lean when standing. A compression garment is worn for 6 weeks. Light activities resume at 2-3 weeks, exercise at 6-8 weeks. The scar fades progressively and sits within the bikini line. Final results are apparent once swelling fully resolves at 3-6 months.
Practical Information — Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) in Istanbul
Tummy tuck takes 2-4 hours. Hospital stay 1-2 nights. International patients stay in Istanbul 10-14 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mini or full?
Mini: only below-belly-button. Full: entire abdomen + muscle repair.
What is diastasis recti?
Separation of abdominal muscles common after pregnancy.
Visible scar?
Long bikini-line scar. Fades with care.
When after childbirth?
At least 6-12 months postpartum.
Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) in Istanbul — Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal's Practice
Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal's private clinic is located in central Istanbul, in the Nisantasi district — Istanbul's premier neighborhood for plastic surgery and luxury services. Address: Teşvikiye Cad. No:9/12, Istanbul. The clinic is easily accessible from major Istanbul hotels and from Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW).
Istanbul has become a leading destination for plastic surgery worldwide, attracting patients from Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia. International patients choose Istanbul for the combination of board-certified plastic surgeons, modern accredited hospitals, competitive pricing compared to Western Europe and the US, and the cultural appeal of the city itself.
Dr. Erdal's Istanbul practice is structured to provide international patients with seamless coordination: video consultation prior to travel, airport-hotel transfer, English-speaking medical team, accommodation arrangements at partner hotels near the clinic, and full postoperative follow-up. Hospital partners are accredited facilities in central Istanbul with international anesthesia standards. WhatsApp consultations are available at +90 544 850 72 32 for international inquiries.
Author: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal — Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist, FACS (American College of Surgeons), FEBOPRAS (European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery). Hacettepe University Medical School graduate; trained at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (NYC) and Ghent University Hospital (Belgium). 30+ peer-reviewed international publications.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual evaluation requires in-person consultation.