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Tummy tuck

Abdominoplasty in Benguela: Scar and Results

Free consultation

Price at consultation

The price is fixed in the contract before surgery

Real case
Tummy tuck: a patient's abdomen before and after surgery before after
A flat tummy and a toned silhouette in one operation. Your individual surgical plan and the expected result are discussed at the consultation

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Results

Tummy tuck results
of our patients

All cases are real patients. Faces and identifying details are hidden.

Tummy tuck: a female patient's abdomen before and after surgerybeforeafter
Tummy tuck: a male patient's abdomen before and after surgerybeforeafter
Tummy tuck: a female patient's abdomen before and after surgerybeforeafter
Tummy tuck: a male patient's abdomen before and after surgerybeforeafter
Tummy tuck: a female patient's abdomen before and after surgerybeforeafter
Tummy tuck: a female patient's abdomen before and after surgerybeforeafter
Tummy tuck: a female patient's abdomen before and after surgerybeforeafter
Tummy tuck: a female patient's abdomen before and after surgerybeforeafter
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Comparison

Tummy tuck techniques

A tummy tuck is done as a full (classic) or mini operation, or combined with liposuction as lipoabdominoplasty. Compare the scope of surgery, the indications and the expected results to choose the right technique together with your surgeon.

Tummy tuck

Removal of excess skin, abdominal muscle tightening

Tummy tuck diagram: the abdomen before surgery with the incision line, and the result
Main goal
Removal of excess skin, diastasis repair
When it is done
Excess skin after childbirth or weight loss
Anaesthesia and stay
General anaesthesia, up to 3 days in hospital

Lipoabdominoplasty

Tummy tuck with added liposuction

Lipoabdominoplasty diagram: the abdomen with fat on the flanks before surgery, and the result
Main goal
Tummy tightening and waist contouring
When it is done
For fat deposits on the flanks and waist
Anaesthesia and stay
General anaesthesia, up to 3 days in hospital

The benefits and recovery times shown are averaged for each technique and given for guidance: the scope of correction and rehabilitation depend on your anatomy and individual features, and the surgeon confirms them at the consultation.

At the consultation the surgeon draws up a plan for your case and explains how your tummy tuck will go.

Free, before surgery and with no obligation.

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Tummy tuck from the inside

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About the clinic

A clinic where you can feel at ease

Modern equipment, comfortable rooms and care for every patient

A doctor and a patient in a clinic ward

Contact us the way that suits you

We will answer your questions and find a convenient time for a consultation

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A tummy tuck is not for everyone

If your case can be solved without surgery, the doctor will tell you so at the consultation — and you will not spend money for nothing.

Suitable

A surgeon shows a patient on a model and a monitor how the abdominal contour changes after a tummy tuck
  • Rectus abdominis diastasis
  • Skin folds after weight loss
  • Loose abdominal skin
  • Stretched skin after pregnancy
  • A distorted abdominal contour

Not suitable

A surgeon discusses the indications and contraindications for a tummy tuck with a patient
  • Acute infections
  • Severe disease of the heart, kidneys or liver
  • Problems with blood clotting
  • Age below 18
  • Decompensated diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Skin inflammation in the surgical area
  • Pregnancy and nursing

Not sure the surgery is right for you?

Message us — the coordinator will ask for your photos in the messenger, and the surgeon will tell you whether a tummy tuck suits you. No surgery booking needed.

Find out if it suits me
A surgeon goes through a tummy tuck diagram with a patient at the consultation

Prices

You know the price
before surgery

The price is set at the consultation and fixed in the contract.

Other services

  • First consultationFree
  • Liposuction of the abdomen and flanksfrom $1,700
Book a consultation

Find out your tummy tuck plan and price

The surgeon assesses your abdominal skin and muscles, listens to your wishes and chooses the right correction technique.
The price is set at the consultation and fixed in the contract.

A nurse talks to a patient in a clinic ward

Message our coordinator

Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

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A patient's abdomen before a tummy tuck in the operating room

all inclusive

What the price includes

From preparation for surgery
to post-op check-ups.

  • All scheduled dressings
  • Scheduled post-op check-ups
  • A personal coordinator on call
  • Compression garments fitted on the day of surgery
  • A stay in a comfortable
    hospital ward with meals
  • Individual recommendations
    for recovery
  • Remote progress monitoring
    by photos
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How it works

Three days at the clinic —
from preparation to discharge

An agreed correction plan, inpatient observation and post-op check-ups.

A doctor shows a patient a tummy tuck diagram on a monitor1

Consultation
and the surgical plan

The surgeon assesses your abdominal skin and muscles and checks for diastasis, listens to your wishes and chooses the right correction technique.

Paying the deposit by card at the clinic reception2

Booking the date
of surgery

We reserve a surgery date for you: the deposit can be paid by card at the clinic or online by bank transfer. The terms are fixed in the contract for medical services

A blood sample tube for tests before a tummy tuck3

Check-up before
surgery

Before surgery you complete a full lab check-up: blood tests, an ECG, a chest X-ray and reports from the required specialists.

The surgical team during the operation4

Surgery

The surgeon performs the tummy tuck with the chosen technique, repairs diastasis if needed and shapes a firmer abdominal contour.

A hospital ward at the clinic5

Inpatient stay

After surgery the patient stays for 1–3 days in a comfortable hospital ward with meals, under medical supervision.

A surgeon and a patient in the ward during recovery6

Recovery

After surgery you get a recovery programme. Check-ups at 7 days, 3 and 6 months help track your recovery.

Book a free consultation — the surgeon will plan every step with you.

A doctor discusses the tummy tuck plan with a patient
Book a consultation
A doctor discusses the tummy tuck plan with a patient

How it really happens

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After a tummy tuck: recovery

Right after the operation, 1–3 days in hospital under medical supervision. Drains usually come out after two days and stitches after 7 days. The compression binder stays on for 1.5–2 months, supporting the abdominal wall and shaping a smooth contour. Most swelling passes within 30 days, and you can go back to office work after 2–3 weeks. Sport, sauna and heavy lifting are ruled out for 2–3 months; it's advised to sleep on your back with knees bent early on. After 12 months the scar is fully mature — faded and barely noticeable.

Post-op check-ups

After 7 days, at 3 months and at 6 months. Until the end of the year, get a post-surgery consultation with your surgeon to review results and get more information, at the clinic's expense

Advantages

Reasons to choose City Medical Centre

A surgeon discusses the tummy tuck plan with a patient at the consultation

Just find out — you lose nothing

At the consultation we discuss your wishes and assess your abdominal skin and muscles. The surgeon explains what changes are possible, chooses the correction technique and answers your questions.

A surgeon on a video call with a patient after surgery

We stay with you after surgery

The surgeon follows your recovery and the changing abdominal contour at check-ups after 7 days, 3 and 6 months. Check-ups, dressings and aftercare advice are already included in the price of surgery.

A surgeon shows a patient a model and tummy tuck diagrams

A beautiful contour that fits your figure

We choose the correction technique based on your skin, muscles and figure. Our aim is a harmonious abdominal contour that keeps the natural proportions of your body.

A patient writes down a convenient visit time in her planner

Your schedule is our priority

We respect your time: we work 24/7, with easy booking and a personal approach — we adapt to your pace.

A surgeon shows a patient the fixed price of surgery with no extra charges

Fixed prices

After the consultation the surgeon defines the extent of correction, and you get a clear price for the surgery — no surprises on the way to the result you want.

A surgeon visits a patient in the hospital ward after surgery

Round-the-clock care after surgery

Recovery starts in a comfortable hospital ward under round-the-clock nursing care. The stay and meals are already included in the price.

FAQ

We answer what
people ask before booking

Other services of our clinic

How a tummy tuck works for Benguela residents

Two techniques are available. The classic tummy tuck uses a horizontal incision above the pubic area, repairs the muscles, removes excess tissue and repositions the navel; it suits marked excess skin and a C-section scar. The mini tummy tuck corrects only the lower abdomen through a shorter incision without moving the navel. For each patient from Benguela, the surgeon chooses in person.

Preparation is straightforward. Two weeks before surgery, medicines affecting blood clotting are stopped; a week before, alcohol and smoking are ruled out for faster healing; the last meal is eight hours before. On the day, you meet the surgeon, the skin is marked and compression garments are fitted. The operation takes 2–4 hours under general anaesthesia. This is the plan for everyone in Benguela.

Start with a free consultation for a tummy tuck in Benguela. The surgeon assesses your abdomen, explains the difference between the classic and mini techniques for your case and gives the final price, which is then recorded in the contract. Apply before the end of the year and the consultation is at the clinic's expense. Write to us in any messenger or use the form on the page.

Benguela and why a tummy tuck is planned here with extra care

Benguela is a city on the Atlantic coast in western Angola and the capital of Benguela Province. It has 555,124 inhabitants in the city and 561,775 in the municipality, at the 2014 census, which makes it one of the most populous cities in the country. A city of this size has a busy, social rhythm: work, markets, church, school, football and family events fill the calendar. All of this matters when you plan an abdominoplasty, because the operation itself is only one part of the process. The weeks before and after it need to fit into real life.

People in Benguela who think about a tummy tuck usually have a similar background. Some have had pregnancies and births, and the abdominal wall and skin no longer return to their former shape. Others have lost a lot of weight and are left with loose skin. Some simply have a stubborn fold that does not respond to exercise or diet. A tummy tuck deals with excess skin and fat and, where needed, with weakened abdominal muscles. It is not a method of losing weight.

The centre works with you remotely. You do not need to leave your city to start. The first conversation is a free online consultation with a coordinator, and coordinators are available 24/7 on Telegram and WhatsApp. You can write from home in the evening after work or between lectures, and nobody will rush you.

Climate of Benguela and what it means for recovery

Angola has alternating rainy and dry seasons. The dry season, called cacimbo, is often marked by heavy morning mist, and the coolest months are July and August. Temperatures tend to rise closer to the Atlantic, and rainfall along the coast is generally lower than in the interior. For a person in Benguela this means that warm, humid air is a normal part of life, and it is worth thinking about how that air will feel under a compression garment.

The garment after a tummy tuck is a requirement, not an option. Recovery is worse without it, because it supports the tissues and reduces swelling. For the first 3–4 weeks it stays on around the clock, then during the daytime for roughly a month more. Your operating surgeon will name the exact period. In warm weather, plan soft cotton underlayers, loose dresses or loose trousers and shirts that do not rub the garment, and a second garment so that you can change when one is washed.

Sun needs attention too. Fresh scars should not be exposed to direct sun, and tanning beds are excluded for at least a month. If you walk outdoors during the day, choose shade, light loose clothing and a hat for your head. Heat can increase swelling and tiredness, so rest in the cooler part of the day and drink water regularly. Questions about sunscreen on a healing scar should be put to your surgeon, who will say when it is suitable.

Sea, pool and the coast: what to avoid and when

Life in Benguela is closely tied to the Atlantic coast. Weekend walks by the sea, family days on the shore and swimming are natural plans for many people. After a tummy tuck these habits have to wait. The pool, sauna, steam bath and tanning beds are out for at least a month, along with alcohol and smoking. Sea water is not sterile, and a healing wound should be kept away from it, so ask your surgeon when the wound is ready for water.

When the restrictions end, return to the water gradually. The compression garment is still worn for part of the day in the first weeks, which should be kept in mind when planning a beach day. It is sensible to start with short, calm walks rather than long hours in the sun and heat.

Plan your recovery calendar so that the restricted period does not fall on a time you have promised to spend at the sea. Telling relatives and friends in advance that you will not swim for a while saves awkward explanations and removes the pressure to join in.

Work, study and everyday life in a trading city

Benguela has long been a centre of trade between the coast and the interior. The city remains an important commercial link between western and eastern Angola, and its industries include fish processing and the milling of sugarcane, as well as the production of pottery, soap and tools. Many residents work on their feet, carry loads or deal with customers all day. Others have office or administrative jobs, teach, or study at the Universidade Katyavala Bwila and Ruvandro Ferreira, which was founded in 2009.

The medical rule is clear: back to work after 2–3 weeks. This applies to office work. After 2–3 weeks you can do office work, while jobs with lifting, long standing or physical effort need the surgeon's separate approval. For the first 2–3 weeks you avoid physical exertion, heavy lifting and sudden movements. If your work involves loading goods, working in a fish-processing line or being on your feet all day, tell the surgeon at the consultation and discuss how to plan the return.

Students can plan the operation for a quieter part of the academic year, and employees can speak to their employer early. You do not have to give details of the surgery: a medical leave note is usually enough. Prepare household matters in advance: food, laundry, help with children and errands for the first days at home.

Family events, food and the home in the first weeks

Weddings, funerals, church celebrations and big family meals are an important part of life in Angola. These events involve long hours of sitting, standing, carrying dishes and greeting people with hugs. In the first weeks after a tummy tuck the body needs rest, and sudden movements and heavy lifting must be avoided. Check your calendar before choosing a date and, if possible, leave a gap of several weeks before a major celebration.

Food culture matters as well. Local meals often include rich dishes with fish, corn porridge and fried food. After surgery, nothing special is required beyond what your surgeon and anaesthetist recommend: light, balanced meals, enough fluids and, in the first days, small portions. Heavy meals can make a tight abdomen uncomfortable. Alcohol is excluded for at least a month, and this should be explained to family and friends in advance.

If you have small children, arrange help for the first days. Lifting a child is a heavy load for the abdominal wall. A relative, a neighbour or a spouse can take over lifting and night care until your surgeon confirms that you can return to normal activity. The more detailed the plan at home, the calmer the recovery.

Sport and active life in a football city

Benguela is a city of football. The Ombaka National Stadium, which holds 35,000 spectators, opened in December 2009 and hosted games of the 2010 African Cup of Nations. It is the home of Estrela Clube Primeiro de Maio, and other local clubs include Clube Nacional de Benguela and Sporting Clube de Benguela. The city is also linked with capoeira, where the slowest rhythm of regional capoeira is called the toque Benguela. Many residents play, train, run or dance, and it is natural to ask when they can return.

The answer is gradual. Sport is resumed gradually, with the surgeon's approval only. Compression garments are worn for another 4–8 weeks, and training should not begin until the surgeon approves it. Football, jumping, dancing with sharp turns, capoeira, heavy gym work and exercises that load the abdominal press are the last to return. Light walking is the natural first step.

Going to a match as a spectator is a different matter from playing, but crowds, pushing and long standing in the heat are tiring. Plan the first visit to a stadium only when you feel stable and your surgeon agrees. Teammates and training colleagues can be told that you will be absent for a while, so that nobody asks you to join in too early.

Choosing the season for the operation

The seasons of Angola give two reasonable approaches. The dry season, cacimbo, with its morning mist and the coolest months of July and August, may suit people who find heat under a compression garment hard to bear. The rainy season brings more humidity and heavier rain, which can make moving around the city harder and increase the time needed for visits to the clinic for check-ups, so think about that.

There is no single best month, because the decision depends on your work, family obligations, school year and tolerance of heat. A good time is one when you can rest for 2–3 weeks without major obligations, when no big family celebration falls in the first weeks, and when the strictest restrictions do not overlap with a holiday at the sea.

It is also sensible to leave time for preparation. Preparation is a must: stop smoking, drinking alcohol and taking medicines that affect blood clotting 7–10 days before the operation. The tests are done in advance, not the day before, and they usually stay valid for 10–14 days. So agree on the date with the coordinator only after planning the examinations.

Preparation, tests and who is a candidate

You must be at least 18, with no contraindications. No upper limit exists, and at the clinic each case is considered individually, after an examination and health assessment. A tummy tuck is suitable for people with excess skin, a fold or weakened muscles who are in stable general health. It is not a substitute for weight loss, and the World Health Organization describes overweight and obesity as health matters that need their own attention. If you plan to lose weight, discuss with the surgeon whether it is better to reach a stable weight first.

The list of tests before surgery is the same for everyone: blood and urine tests, coagulation panel, biochemistry, infection tests, ECG, chest X-ray, ultrasound of the leg veins and a GP's report. The pre-surgery check-up covers blood tests, ECG, leg vein ultrasound and consultations with a GP and anaesthetist. The exact list comes from the surgeon at the consultation. You can do the tests in your own city and send the results to the coordinator.

Contraindications are decided by the doctors after examination, not by a general rule. Smoking, blood clotting problems, certain chronic diseases and plans for a future pregnancy are all things to say openly at the first conversation. Honest answers make planning safer and give a more realistic expectation of the result.

Questions to ask yourself before contacting the coordinator

Before the first message, it helps to spend an evening at home in Benguela thinking through your reasons. Is the main concern loose skin after pregnancies, a fold left after weight loss, or a feeling that the abdomen no longer matches the rest of the body? A clear answer makes the online consultation shorter and more useful, because the surgeon can see at once which kind of correction you are asking for.

Write down your health history in plain words: earlier operations, chronic illnesses, medicines you take regularly, allergies, and whether you smoke. Also note any plans for a future pregnancy and any recent changes in weight. Coordinators are available 24/7 on Telegram and WhatsApp, so you can send these notes whenever it suits you, at night after a shift or on a quiet weekend morning.

Think about who will support you at home. In a city where relatives often live close to each other, it is common to have a sister, mother or neighbour nearby. Decide in advance who will help with cooking, children and errands in the first weeks, and tell them what the surgeon says about lifting and sudden movements.

Photographs, measurements and what the surgeon sees remotely

Because the first consultation takes place online, photographs matter. Ask the coordinator which angles are needed, and take them in good daylight against a plain wall, standing relaxed. Do not hold your breath or pull in the abdomen, because the surgeon needs to see the real contour, the fold and the skin as they are in daily life.

Dust and humidity in a coastal city are not a problem for photographs, but poor light is. A bright room near a window in the morning usually works well. Send new photographs if your weight changes before the date is set, so that the plan stays accurate.

The surgeon will then tell you whether a classic or a mini tummy tuck is more suitable, and which tests to complete. The exact list comes from the surgeon at the consultation. You can do the tests in your own city and send the results to the coordinator, remembering that they usually stay valid for 10–14 days.

The first nights at home: sleeping, moving and resting

After the stay of 1–3 days in the ward, recovery continues at home, where the surgeon monitors it at scheduled check-ups. Prepare the bedroom beforehand: a firm bed that is easy to get out of, pillows to support you, water within reach and a path to the bathroom that is free of obstacles. In a warm coastal climate, a fan or good airflow helps you rest under the compression garment, as long as you avoid a direct cold draught.

Move gently and often. Short walks around the house are a sensible start, while heavy lifting, sudden movements and physical exertion are avoided for the first 2–3 weeks. Do not push yourself to prove that you have recovered. Swelling and tightness are part of the normal course and pass by 1.5–2 months.

Keep your phone close. If something worries you, such as increasing pain, unusual swelling or fever, write to the coordinator at once. They work around the clock and will pass the message to the medical team, so you never have to wait until morning to ask.

Expectations: scar, contour and patience

A tummy tuck changes the contour of the abdomen, and it also leaves a scar. Its position and length are discussed with the surgeon in advance, and you should look at it as part of the plan, not as a surprise. Clothing worn in warm weather, such as swimwear or low-waisted skirts, is worth mentioning at the consultation, so that your daily wardrobe is taken into account.

Results develop slowly. The first changes appear 2 weeks after surgery as the main swelling subsides, the interim result comes at 1.5–2 months, and the final contours and scar are assessed at 6–12 months, once the tissues have fully adapted. Check-ups at 7 days, 3 and 6 months let the surgeon follow the changing abdominal contour.

Patience is easier with a plan. Mark the check-up dates on your calendar, keep photographs taken at the same angles, and avoid judging the result in the first weeks, when the abdomen is swollen and tight.

Remote consultation from Benguela, hospital stay and check-ups

The consultation is online and free. You write to the coordinator on Telegram or WhatsApp, describe your goals, send photographs as requested and receive a preliminary plan. We respect your time: we work 24/7, with easy booking and a personal approach, and we adapt to your pace. A coordinator will explain the next steps without pressure, and you can ask questions as many times as you need.

The operation is done under general anaesthesia, with up to 3 days in hospital. After surgery the patient stays for 1–3 days in a comfortable hospital ward with meals, under medical supervision. A classic tummy tuck means 1–3 days; for a mini tummy tuck one day is usually enough. At home recovery continues, and the surgeon monitors it at scheduled check-ups.

After surgery you get a recovery programme. Check-ups at 7 days, 3 and 6 months help track your recovery, and the surgeon follows the changing abdominal contour at these visits. Check-ups, dressings and aftercare advice are already included in the surgery package. Until the end of the year you can get a post-surgery consultation with your surgeon to review results and get more information, at the clinic's expense.

Recovery has three milestones. After 2–3 weeks you can do office work, by 1.5–2 months swelling and tightness pass, and at 6–12 months, with the tissues fully adapted, the final result and scar are assessed. The first changes appear 2 weeks after surgery as the main swelling subsides.

How do I start if I live in Benguela?

Write to a coordinator on Telegram or WhatsApp. The first online consultation is free, and coordinators work 24/7. You describe your goals, send photographs and receive a preliminary plan. The surgeon gives the exact list of tests and the details of the operation at the consultation.

When can I go back to work after a tummy tuck?

You can return to work after 2–3 weeks, which applies to office work. For the first 2–3 weeks you avoid physical exertion, heavy lifting and sudden movements. If your job is physical, for example loading goods or working on a production line, ask the surgeon individually.

How long will I stay in hospital?

The operation is under general anaesthesia with up to 3 days in hospital. A classic tummy tuck means 1–3 days in a comfortable ward with meals and medical supervision. For a mini tummy tuck, one day is usually enough. Recovery then continues at home, with scheduled check-ups.

Do I really need a compression garment in warm weather?

Yes, it is a requirement. Recovery is worse without it, because it supports the tissues and reduces swelling. For the first 3–4 weeks it stays on around the clock, then during the daytime for roughly a month more. Your operating surgeon will name the exact period. Loose cotton clothing and a spare garment help in warm weather.

When can I swim in the sea or the pool and go back to sport?

Sauna, steam bath, pool, tanning beds, alcohol and smoking are out for at least a month. Sport is resumed gradually, with the surgeon's approval only, and compression garments are worn for another 4–8 weeks. Ask the surgeon about sea water and the wound.

How should I prepare for the operation?

Preparation is a must. Stop smoking, drinking alcohol and taking medicines that affect blood clotting 7–10 days before the tummy tuck. The pre-surgery check-up covers blood tests, ECG, leg vein ultrasound and consultations with a GP and anaesthetist. Get it done in advance, not the day before. Tests usually stay valid for 10–14 days.

Who can have a tummy tuck, and is there an age limit?

You must be at least 18, with no contraindications. No upper limit exists, and each case is considered individually, after an examination and health assessment. The operation is not a way to lose weight, and the surgeon will talk to you about weight stability and future pregnancies.

When will I see the result?

The first changes appear 2 weeks after surgery as the main swelling subsides. The interim result comes at 1.5–2 months, and the final contours at 6–12 months, when the tissues are fully adapted and the scar is assessed. The answer is the same for everyone.

What follow-up is there after I go home?

You get a recovery programme. Check-ups at 7 days, 3 and 6 months help track your recovery. Check-ups, dressings and aftercare advice are already included in the surgery package. Until the end of the year you can also get a post-surgery consultation with your surgeon, at the clinic's expense.

What should I ask the surgeon at the online consultation?

Ask whether a classic or a mini tummy tuck suits you, what tests you need, how long you will wear the garment, when you can return to your type of work and sport, how the scar will be assessed, and what to do if something worries you at home. Write your questions down beforehand.

Can I do the tests in Benguela and send the results?

Yes. The exact list comes from the surgeon at the consultation, and it usually includes blood and urine tests, coagulation panel, biochemistry, infection tests, ECG, chest X-ray, leg vein ultrasound and a GP's report. Tests usually stay valid for 10–14 days, so do them in advance, not the day before.

What kind of photographs should I send?

Ask the coordinator which angles are needed. Use good daylight, a plain background and a relaxed standing position, without pulling in the abdomen, so that the surgeon sees the true contour and the fold.

Who should help me at home after the operation?

Choose a relative, neighbour or spouse who can cook, run errands and lift children in the first weeks. For the first 2–3 weeks you avoid physical exertion, heavy lifting and sudden movements, so household help makes recovery calmer.