Safe and professional
Felt I was in very safe and professional hands from my first consultation with Bo. ESPECIALLY on the day of the operation itself, when I was very n…
Thomas Hansen
About the treatment
A tummy tuck can be a solution if the skin on your abdomen has lost its elasticity, or if the area has changed after pregnancy, weight loss or natural changes in the body. Over time, the skin can lose its ability to contract again, and the abdominal muscles can become weakened or separated. The treatment removes excess skin, tightens the underlying tissue and creates a firmer abdominal profile and a more harmonious body contour.
At Caolín, the treatment is always planned individually, with a focus on natural proportions and on results that suit your body.
At a glance
- Price
- From DKK 30,000
- Anaesthesia
- General anaesthetic
- Surgery time
- 2–3 hours
- Hospital stay
- 1 night (for a full tummy tuck)
- Downtime
- 2–3 weeks
- Final result
- After 6–12 months
What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck – also known as abdominoplasty – is a procedure in which excess skin and fat are removed from the abdominal area and the underlying muscles are tightened. The result is a flatter, firmer and more defined abdomen. It is not a method of weight loss, but a reconstructive procedure for the changes the body cannot resolve on its own – and it is important to be close to your ideal weight before the surgery.
Why does the need arise?
The need arises when the skin and muscles have been exposed to strain that leaves lasting marks:
Pregnancy and childbirth
The abdomen is stretched significantly, and neither the skin nor the muscles always find their way back – especially after several pregnancies or a caesarean section.
Significant weight loss
Significant weight loss often leaves excess skin that the body cannot absorb. The greater the weight loss, the more pronounced the excess skin.
Ageing and genetics
The skin's elasticity decreases with age, and in some cases this alone is enough to create excess skin on the abdomen.
Types of tummy tuck
The procedure is always tailored to the individual. The surgeon assesses your skin, abdominal wall and fat distribution and recommends the variant that will give the best result for you.
Mini tummy tuck
A smaller operation focusing on the area below the belly button. The incision is shorter and placed low, the belly button does not normally need to be moved, and the healing time is shorter. Suitable if the need is mainly in the lower abdomen and the skin is otherwise relatively firm, or as a correction of an unsightly caesarean scar.
Full tummy tuck (full abdominoplasty)
The most common variant. A horizontal incision along the bikini line gives access to the entire abdominal area – the muscles are tightened, excess skin and fat are removed, and the belly button is repositioned. The scar is placed low and is hidden by underwear and swimwear. The procedure requires one overnight stay at the clinic.
Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck
With very significant excess skin – typically after massive weight loss – the horizontal incision is supplemented by a vertical incision running upwards from the belly button. This makes it possible to remove more skin in both directions and is suitable when the skin is markedly lax across the entire abdominal area. The scar is more visible, but in return the result can be significantly better for the right patient.
Body lift / belt lipectomy 360°
For patients with excess skin all the way around the body – e.g. after bariatric surgery – the operation can be extended to a full body lift that lifts the hips, buttocks, thighs and flanks in the same procedure. A more extensive treatment that is carefully planned and requires a longer recovery.
Separated abdominal muscles – diastasis recti
One of the most common reasons for seeking a tummy tuck is separated abdominal muscles – also known as diastasis recti. This is a condition in which the two vertical abdominal muscles have drifted apart along the midline. It happens because the connective tissue between them is stretched, and it is particularly common after pregnancy. The condition can cause a visible bulge in the middle of the abdomen and contribute to a weak “core”, back pain and a general feeling that the abdominal wall is not what it used to be.
Diastasis recti cannot be corrected with exercises, and the wrong kind of training can actually make it worse. During a full tummy tuck, the surgeon can stitch the muscles back together in a procedure called rectus plication. This not only improves the aesthetic result significantly, but also strengthens the abdominal wall and can reduce physical discomfort. At your consultation, we assess whether you have separated abdominal muscles and whether rectus plication is relevant for you.
Tummy tuck combined with other procedures
It is very common – and often logical – to combine a tummy tuck with other procedures. You are only under general anaesthetic once, and the overall results are typically more harmonious than each procedure on its own.
Mommy Makeover
A combination of a tummy tuck and breast surgery – breast lift, breast reduction or breast augmentation. A popular choice for women who experience changes in both the abdomen and the breasts after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Liposuction
Liposuction of the flanks, waist or hips is often combined with the tummy tuck to create a more harmonious contour and a clearly defined waist.
Fat grafting
Fat removed by liposuction can be purified and reused – e.g. for the breasts, hips or buttocks – for a more balanced and natural overall result.
Reviews
What our patients say
Before and after
Tummy tuck
Full tummy tuck with repair of the abdominal muscles and liposuction after significant weight loss.
Good to know
Questions and answers
Here you'll find the whole process step by step — from consultation to your first weeks at home. If there's anything you can't find an answer to, bring it along to your consultation.
A tummy tuck is a well-established procedure, but it is surgery – and surgery always involves risks. The most relevant are bleeding, infection and wound healing problems. Smoking significantly increases the risk of complications and is strongly discouraged. All risks are reviewed thoroughly at your consultation, so you can make your decision on a fully informed basis.
– Stop smoking: At least 4–6 weeks before and after the surgery.
– Stable weight: You should have had a stable weight for at least 3–6 months beforehand.
– Medication: Blood-thinning medication and certain herbal remedies are paused – agreed individually at your consultation.
– Future pregnancies: A pregnancy after a tummy tuck can change the result. We recommend that you have finished planning pregnancies before the surgery.
Every treatment at Caolín starts with a thorough, no-obligation consultation, where we listen, assess and advise. No two bodies are alike – and neither are any two treatment plans. We take the time to understand your starting point and your wishes, and we always give you an honest assessment of what is possible.
There is always a cooling-off period of at least seven days between consultation and surgery. You are welcome to bring someone with you, and you can contact us with questions at any point while you consider your options.
No. A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss method, but a reconstructive procedure that addresses excess skin and lax muscles – changes that the body cannot correct on its own, regardless of diet and exercise. You should be close to your ideal weight before the surgery.
A full tummy tuck typically takes 2–3 hours. A mini tummy tuck is shorter. The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic, and most people stay one night at the clinic.
The swelling subsides gradually over the first few months, and the final result is fully visible after 6–12 months. Many people, however, notice a clear and positive difference within the first few weeks.
The scar is placed along the bikini line – from hip bone to hip bone – and is designed to be hidden by underwear and swimwear. It is red and visible at first, but fades gradually over 12–18 months. At Caolín, we place great importance on achieving the most beautiful scar possible as an integral part of the result.
Pregnancy after a tummy tuck is entirely possible, but it can affect the result. We therefore recommend that you have finished planning pregnancies before the surgery, so the result can last as long as possible.
Diastasis recti is a condition in which the two vertical abdominal muscles have drifted apart along the midline. It is very common after pregnancy and cannot be corrected with exercise alone. During a full tummy tuck, the surgeon can stitch the muscles back together – this strengthens the abdominal wall and significantly improves the aesthetic result.
We generally recommend a BMI of no more than 30 before the surgery. A higher BMI increases the risk of complications and can have a negative effect on healing. At your consultation, the surgeon assesses your starting point and advises you on the best timing.
Yes – and in fact it is very common. Many choose to combine a tummy tuck with liposuction of the flanks and waist, breast surgery (a so-called mommy makeover) or fat grafting. You are only under general anaesthetic once, and the result is typically more harmonious than with separate procedures.
Most people take 2–3 weeks off work. Desk-based work can be resumed after that, while physically demanding work requires a break of up to 6 weeks. Sport and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least 6–8 weeks.
The process
What to expect at Caolín
-
Consultation
The process starts with a thorough consultation, where you meet your plastic surgeon in reassuring surroundings. Here we go through your wishes, your expectations and the changes you would like to achieve.
The surgeon assesses the quality of your skin, the firmness of the tissue and the anatomy of your abdomen, including whether the abdominal muscles also need tightening. Together, you go through the surgical process, the expected healing and the things that are important to know before you make your decision.
It is important to us that you feel well informed and reassured throughout the entire process.
-
Before the surgery
Once your treatment plan is in place, we guide you thoroughly through all the preparations. You will receive guidance on medication, dietary supplements, smoking and fasting, as these factors can affect safety, anaesthesia and your body's healing.
On the day of surgery, you are welcomed by our team and meet the nurse, the anaesthetist and the surgeon. The area is marked and the plan is reviewed one last time, so you feel reassured and well prepared.
-
During the surgery
The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and is always tailored to you. During the procedure, excess skin and tissue are removed, and in some cases the abdominal muscles are tightened to create more support and definition.
Depending on the extent of the treatment, drains may be placed temporarily to support healing. When the surgery is complete, the skin is gently closed with dissolvable stitches, and the area is protected with dressings and compression.
-
After the surgery
After the surgery, you are monitored by our staff until you are ready to go home. In the early days, it is normal to experience swelling, tightness and tenderness in the area.
We recommend rest, light movement and gradual mobilisation from the start. Compression garments should be worn as instructed by the surgeon, and your body will gradually adapt to its new shape over the coming months.
Book a free consultation at Caolín
Your journey begins with a personal consultation. Here we go through your wishes and options, so that together we can create a treatment plan that feels right for you.
The specialists
Bo Sonnich Rasmussen, MD, PHD
Founder & Chief Plastic Surgeon
Bo Sonnich Rasmussen is a consultant in plastic surgery and one of the Nordic region's leading specialists in cosmetic breast surgery and advanced facial surgery, and one of the few surgeons to master endoscopic facelifts with no visible scars. He holds a PhD in breast reconstruction with stem cell-enriched fat transfer and is internationally recognised for his work and research in the field.
Frederik Kølle, MD, PHD
Founder & Chief Plastic Surgeon
Frederik Kølle is a certified and internationally recognised plastic surgeon specialising in facial and cosmetic surgery as well as advanced fat transfer and body contouring. He is among the leading experts in the Nordic region and masters the full spectrum of facial and breast surgery.
Related treatments
Financing your treatment
We offer financing so you can spread the cost. If you have any questions about financing, you are always welcome to contact us – or ask at your consultation.
The calculation is for guidance only. Credit assessment and terms are set by Resurs Bank.