Did Popi Malliotaki have a tummy tuck? Yes, she said so on live TV

What did Popi Malliotaki say about her tummy tuck?

Malliotaki spoke on the Alpha TV morning show “Super Katerina” shortly after returning from Tunisia. Proto Thema quoted her explaining that she had waited a long time: “I was late doing things to my body because I was afraid of surgery.” She then added: “I have had liposuction and, right after it, a tummy tuck.” Parapolitika reported the same words and her remark that she does not hide her procedures the way others do.

That is all we rely on. She did not describe the type of abdominoplasty, the length of the scar, the date or any other medical detail in that interview, so this article does not guess. Where the text below explains a tummy tuck, it describes the operation in general, not her treatment.

What her words tell other people who are hesitating

Two things stand out in what she said. The first is fear: she openly admitted that fear of surgery made her put the decision off. That is a very common feeling, and it is a good reason to take time, ask questions and understand the operation before booking anything. The second is openness: she chose to name the procedures instead of avoiding the question.

A tummy tuck is often mixed up with fat removal, but it is a different operation. It deals with stretched skin and, where needed, separated abdominal muscles. It is not a way to lose weight. This article makes no judgement about anyone’s body; the focus is on what the operation can and cannot do.

What an abdominoplasty involves today

An abdominoplasty tightens the front wall of the abdomen. The surgeon removes excess stretched skin and fat and, if the rectus muscles have separated (diastasis), stitches them back together. It is done under general anaesthesia. The two main versions compare as follows:

A classic operation lasts 2–4 hours. Liposuction of the flanks or waist can sometimes be added in the same session, under one anaesthesia; whether that makes sense is decided individually by the surgeon after examining the skin and muscles.

Who is a candidate and how preparation works

The operation is considered by adults who have:

• excess skin and fat on the abdomen after childbirth or major weight loss;
• separated rectus muscles that exercise has not brought back together;
• a sagging lower abdomen or an overhanging fold of skin;
• scars on the lower abdomen, including after a C-section.

It is not done under 18, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with decompensated diabetes, blood clotting disorders, cancer or severe heart, kidney or liver disease. A pregnancy should be planned at least 12 months later. Before surgery the patient has blood tests, a coagulation panel, biochemistry, infection tests, an ECG and a chest X-ray. Blood-thinning medicines are stopped two weeks before (only with the doctor), alcohol and smoking a week before, and the last meal is eight hours before the operation.

Recovery step by step

After the operation the patient stays in hospital for 1–3 days under medical supervision. A compression binder is worn for 1.5–2 months. Most of the swelling goes within about 30 days, and office work usually resumes after 2–3 weeks. Sport and heavy lifting come back only with the surgeon’s approval. The result is assessed at three months, and follow-up check-ups take place after 7 days, 3 months and 6 months. The timeline below shows the usual stages.

1. Day of surgeryGeneral anaesthesia; a classic abdominoplasty takes 2–4 hours.
2. Days 1–3Hospital stay under medical supervision.
3. Day 7First check-up with the surgeon.
4. Weeks 2–3Most people can return to office work.
5. About day 30Most of the swelling has gone.
6. Months 1.5–2The compression binder is no longer needed.
7. Month 3The result is assessed at a check-up; another follows at 6 months.

Abdominoplasty at City Medical Centre

City Medical Centre in Moscow performs classic and mini abdominoplasty for international patients, taking diastasis and post-pregnancy scars into account. The first consultation is free and can start online. The price of a tummy tuck is given at the consultation, once the surgeon has assessed the skin and muscles, and it is then fixed in the contract. A personal coordinator guides the patient from the first enquiry to the end of recovery. More details are on the tummy tuck page.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Popi Malliotaki or her treatment. Her words are simply a well-known example of a woman who spoke openly about the operation.

Frequently asked questions

Where did Popi Malliotaki talk about her tummy tuck?

On the Alpha TV morning show Super Katerina in September 2022. Proto Thema and Parapolitika reported her words the same day.

Why did she wait before having surgery?

She said she was late doing things to her body because she was afraid of surgery. She did not give further details in that interview.

Does a tummy tuck help you lose weight?

No. It removes stretched skin and some fat and can repair separated muscles, but it is not a weight-loss method and works best at a stable weight.

How much does a tummy tuck cost at City Medical Centre?

The price is named at the free consultation after the surgeon examines the abdomen, and it is then fixed in the contract.

When can I go back to work after an abdominoplasty?

Office work usually resumes after 2 to 3 weeks. The compression binder is worn for 1.5 to 2 months, and sport returns only with the surgeon's approval.