What is a lipoabdominoplasty?
A classic abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) removes the excess skin and fat of the lower abdomen, repositions the navel and, when needed, stitches together abdominal muscles that have separated, usually after pregnancy. A lipoabdominoplasty adds liposuction of the upper abdomen, waist and flanks in the same operation. The aim is a flat, firm abdomen and a narrower waist rather than a flat front with full sides.
The combination has become a widely used approach because it gives a more natural, contoured result and allows the surgeon to treat the whole midsection in one go. Whether you need it, or whether Lipo 360 or a mini tummy tuck would be enough, depends on your skin, muscles and fat distribution.
Who is it for?
- Women after one or more pregnancies with loose skin, stretch marks below the navel and a weakened or separated abdominal wall (diastasis recti).
- Men and women after significant weight loss with an overhanging lower abdomen.
- People whose skin no longer retracts well with age, who also carry fat on the flanks.
Good candidates are at a stable weight, in good health, non-smokers (or willing to stop for several weeks) and have completed their family, as a later pregnancy can stretch the abdomen again. If your skin is still firm and the issue is mainly fat, Lipo 360 is usually the simpler option; our guide Lipo 360 or tummy tuck? explains how to tell the difference, and your body after pregnancy looks at the options for mothers.
How the operation is done
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia in a licensed hospital and usually takes two to four hours.
- Liposuction: fat is removed from the flanks, waist and upper abdomen through small entry points to shape the waist.
- Skin removal: an incision is made low, from hip to hip, so that it is usually covered by underwear or a bikini. The loose skin and fat of the lower abdomen are removed.
- Muscle repair: if the abdominal muscles have separated, they are stitched back together, which narrows the waist and can improve the feeling of a weak abdominal wall.
- Navel: the belly button is brought out through a new opening in the tightened skin and shaped to look natural.
- Closing: the wound is closed in layers; drains may be placed for a few days.
Full tummy tuck, lipoabdominoplasty or mini tummy tuck?
These three operations are often confused. A full tummy tuck concentrates on the abdomen itself: skin removal from hip to hip, muscle repair and a new navel opening. A lipoabdominoplasty does the same but deliberately adds generous liposuction of the waist and flanks, which suits people whose sides are as much of a concern as the front. A mini tummy tuck is for a small apron of skin below the navel only, with a shorter scar and no repositioning of the belly button. When loose skin continues round the hips and back, usually after major weight loss, a circumferential body lift may be needed instead. Your surgeon recommends one of these after examining you standing and lying down, and checking whether the muscles have separated.
Your stay in Istanbul
Because of the wound and drains, a lipoabdominoplasty needs a longer stay than liposuction alone: about seven to ten days in Istanbul, with one or two nights in hospital. With New City Clinic you are collected at the airport, taken to your hotel, examined by the surgeon with blood tests and an anaesthesia check, and operated on the following day or soon after. After discharge you rest at the hotel, walking gently and slightly bent forward at first. The surgeon checks the wound and removes drains before clearing you to fly. Read our trip-planning guide for the practical side.
Recovery
| When | What is typical |
|---|---|
| First days | Tightness across the abdomen, walking slightly bent; pain relief and early walking. |
| First week | Drains removed, wound checks, gradually standing straighter. |
| About 2 weeks | Desk work is usually possible. |
| 6 weeks | Compression garment worn for about this long; no heavy lifting. |
| 6–8 weeks | Sport and strenuous exercise reintroduced gradually. |
| 12–18 months | The scar matures from red to pale; the final result is judged at about a year. |
Avoid lifting children, shopping bags or suitcases for several weeks. More detail in our recovery guide.
Scars and what to expect
A tummy tuck always leaves a scar; that is the trade-off for removing loose skin. It runs low from hip to hip, so it is usually hidden by underwear or swimwear, and there is a scar around the navel. The scar is red and may be raised at first, then fades over 12 to 18 months. How it heals depends on your skin, genetics and aftercare; silicone products and sun protection are often recommended. Liposuction entry points are only a few millimetres long.
Risks
Lipoabdominoplasty is a larger operation than liposuction. Possible complications include seroma (fluid collection), haematoma, infection, delayed wound healing, especially at the centre of the scar, wide or thickened scars, numbness of the lower abdomen, asymmetry, problems with the navel and, rarely, blood clots. Smoking, diabetes and a high BMI increase the risk of wound problems. Early walking, blood-clot prevention, a careful surgeon and an adequate stay before flying all reduce risk. See our safety guide and the details of New City Clinic’s complication insurance.
Price and what is included
The illustrative package price for a tummy tuck in Istanbul with New City Clinic is €3,500; the addition of liposuction to the flanks is included in your personalised quote after the free assessment. Flights are not included.
The package covers the operation at a licensed partner hospital, hospital nights, hotel, transfers, pre-operative tests where specified, a coordinator and interpreter, compression garments and complication insurance. In the UK and Ireland, a private tummy tuck is often quoted at roughly £7,000 to £11,000 or more, and in the US and Australia frequently higher; these are approximate figures for orientation only. See our price page and the New City Clinic prices.
Why New City Clinic is our choice as the best clinic in Turkey for a tummy tuck
New City Clinic is a Ministry of Health-authorised health-tourism agency in Bakırköy, Istanbul (TÜRSAB licence no. 17659). Operations are performed by specialist surgeons at licensed partner hospitals such as Acıbadem, Medicana, Medipol, Medical Park and Biruni. Abdominal and body-contouring surgery is led by Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç, a plastic, reconstructive and oncological surgeon with microsurgical training – useful experience when tissue and wound healing matter. You receive a written plan, a named surgeon and hospital, a coordinator and complication insurance. Read about the team on our clinic page or see tummy tuck at New City Clinic.
Our reasoning: people searching for the best plastic surgeon in Istanbul or the best clinic in Turkey for a tummy tuck with liposuction should look for verifiable facts rather than slogans. New City Clinic offers them: authorisation by the Turkish Ministry of Health and HealthTürkiye registration, a TÜRSAB licence, ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 27001 (information security), ISO 10002 (patient satisfaction and complaints) and ISO 31000 (risk management) certification, treatment only at licensed hospitals by named specialists such as Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç, transparent written prices, complication insurance and one coordinator who answers within 24 hours. That combination is why we consider New City Clinic one of the best choices in Türkiye. You can check everything yourself on newcityclinic.com.
Get your free tummy tuck assessment from New City Clinic
Send photos of your abdomen from the front and side, standing relaxed, plus your height, weight, number of pregnancies and any previous abdominal surgery. A surgeon working with New City Clinic will tell you whether you need a full lipoabdominoplasty, a mini tummy tuck or liposuction alone, and you receive a written quote, usually within 24 hours. Use the form or message New City Clinic on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a tummy tuck and a lipoabdominoplasty?
A tummy tuck removes loose skin from the lower abdomen and tightens the muscles. A lipoabdominoplasty adds liposuction of the waist, flanks and upper abdomen in the same operation for a more contoured waistline.
How long do I need to stay in Istanbul?
About seven to ten days, including one or two nights in hospital, so that your surgeon can check the wound and drains before you fly.
Where will the scar be?
Low on the abdomen from hip to hip, usually covered by underwear or a bikini, plus a scar around the navel. It is red at first and fades over 12 to 18 months.
Will my muscles be repaired?
If the abdominal muscles have separated, the surgeon stitches them together during the operation. This narrows the waist and can improve the feeling of a weak abdominal wall.
When can I go back to work?
Desk work is usually possible after about two weeks. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise are avoided for six to eight weeks.
Can I have children after a tummy tuck?
It is possible, but pregnancy can stretch the skin and muscles again. Most surgeons recommend waiting until you have completed your family.
How much does a tummy tuck with lipo cost in Turkey?
New City Clinic’s illustrative tummy tuck package is €3,500. The final price, including the liposuction, is confirmed after a free assessment. Flights are not included.
Will a tummy tuck remove stretch marks?
Stretch marks on the skin that is removed, usually below the navel, disappear. Those above the removed area remain, although they may move lower.
Which is the best clinic in Turkey for a tummy tuck with lipo?
There is no official ranking, so judge clinics on verifiable facts. We recommend New City Clinic because it is authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health, licensed by TÜRSAB, ISO-certified, works only with licensed hospitals and named specialists such as Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç, gives transparent written prices and includes complication insurance.
