City Medical Centre · multi-specialty surgery clinicOpen 24/7

Tummy tuck

Abdominoplasty in Kananga: a Flat Stomach

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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.

Book a consultation

Tummy tuck from the inside

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
  • Significant disease of the heart, kidneys or liver
  • Disorders of blood clotting
  • Under 18 years of age
  • Decompensated diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Skin inflammation in the surgical area
  • Being pregnant or breastfeeding

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

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

After a tummy tuck: recovery

Immediately after surgery the patient stays in hospital for 1–3 days, supervised by doctors. Drains are usually removed after two days, stitches after 7 days. For 1.5–2 months you wear a compression binder that supports the abdominal wall and forms a smooth contour. Most of the swelling goes within 30 days; office work is possible after 2–3 weeks. No sports, sauna or heavy lifting for 2–3 months, and in the beginning it is best to sleep on your back with knees bent. At 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

How a tummy tuck works for Kananga residents

Abdominoplasty is often combined with other procedures. Liposuction of the flanks and waist can be added to shape the silhouette, and after childbirth rectus diastasis repair is included. One anaesthesia and one recovery period cover everything, and the surgeon decides the scope at an in-person consultation. This makes the operation a complete abdominal correction for patients from Kananga.

Is it painful? During the procedure you feel nothing, since a tummy tuck is done under general anaesthesia. Tightness and soreness appear in the first days and are relieved with painkillers prescribed by the doctor; by the end of the first week the discomfort eases noticeably. For people from Kananga, the first visible changes appear about two weeks after surgery, when the main swelling subsides.

A tummy tuck price is personal. It reflects how much excess skin needs removing, whether the navel is repositioned and whether separated muscles are repaired. To find out yours, book a free consultation: the surgeon examines you, answers questions about the scar, recovery and pregnancy planning and confirms the cost. Kananga residents can apply online or through a messenger.

Kananga and the decision to have a tummy tuck

Kananga, formerly called Luluabourg, is the capital of the Kasaï-Central Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is the fourth most populous urban area in the country, with an estimated population of 1,524,000 in 2021. It is an important commercial and administrative centre, and it lies near the Lulua River, a tributary of the Kasai River. Daily life here is busy: markets, offices, schools, church life and family obligations all compete for a person's time. For that reason, a woman or a man in Kananga who is thinking about abdominoplasty usually starts with a practical question: how will this fit into my life, and who will look after my household while I recover?

A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and, where needed, tightens the abdominal muscles. People ask about it for different reasons: skin that remained stretched after pregnancies, a loose abdomen after a big loss of weight, or a contour that no longer responds to diet and exercise. These are medical and personal reasons, not a matter of fashion alone, and the decision deserves calm planning rather than a quick impulse.

The City Medical Centre works with patients from Kananga through a free online consultation. Coordinators are available 24/7 on Telegram and WhatsApp, so you can write when it suits your day, whether that is early in the morning before work or late in the evening after the family has gone to bed. We adapt to your pace: you can ask your questions, send your information and think for as long as you need.

Climate of Kananga and what it means for recovery

Kananga has a tropical savanna climate. The dry season begins around June and July, and a long but not intense wet season runs from September to May. For a person planning a tummy tuck, this pattern matters in very practical ways, because recovery means weeks of wearing a compression garment, limiting exertion and protecting a fresh scar.

In warm and humid weather, a compression garment can feel heavy, and the skin under it needs gentle care. Choose soft, breathable cotton clothing to wear over it, keep the garment clean according to the surgeon's instructions, and ask the team how to wash and dry it so that it keeps its supporting quality. Rest in the hottest part of the day, drink enough water and avoid long periods in direct sun. A fresh scar should not be exposed to strong sunshine, and the rules are the same for everyone: sauna, steam bath, pool and tanning beds are out for at least a month.

During the rainy months, the main concern is different. Wet roads and muddy paths make walking less comfortable, and sudden movements, slipping or lifting heavy bags are exactly what the first 2–3 weeks require you to avoid. Plan for someone to do the shopping and carry loads, and keep the daily path around your home dry and clear. Neither season is forbidden; what matters is that you prepare your home and your help for the season you choose.

Choosing the season for the operation

Patients from Kananga often ask which time of year is best. There is no single answer, because the medical rules after a tummy tuck are identical in every season. What differs is comfort and convenience. The dry season from June and July is easier for moving around, and fewer wet days mean less risk of slipping during the first weeks. On the other hand, it can be warm, and the compression garment is more tiring when the air is hot.

The long wet season from September to May offers a wider choice of dates, but you should plan the journeys to a hospital for check-ups with extra time for weather. The check-ups take place after 7 days, 3 months and 6 months, and they are an important part of the programme. Ask your coordinator to help you set a date so that the first check-up is not complicated by heavy rain or by a family event you cannot miss.

Whichever season you choose, build a calm window around the operation. Plan the date so that you do not have a wedding, a funeral, a long church ceremony or a harvest-time task in the first weeks. Think also about the final result: the final contours and the scar are assessed at 6–12 months, so there is no need to hurry for a particular celebration, because the body needs time to adapt.

Work, family and daily duties during recovery

In Kananga many people work in trade, administration, teaching, health care or small businesses, and many women run both a job and a household. After a tummy tuck, you can go back to work after 2–3 weeks if the work is of the office type. This is the first milestone of recovery. The next milestone is at 1.5–2 months, when swelling and tightness pass, and the last at 6–12 months, when the tissues are fully adapted and the final result and scar are assessed.

If your work involves standing for many hours, carrying goods at the market, lifting boxes or long walking, speak to the surgeon about when you can return. The first 2–3 weeks exclude physical exertion, heavy lifting and sudden movements, and this is not a recommendation to bend; it is a rule. Talk to your employer or to the people who work with you, and agree on a temporary arrangement before the operation, not afterwards.

Family life needs planning as well. If you have small children, you cannot lift them during the first weeks, so a relative or a trusted neighbour should help with carrying, bathing and the daily routine. Cooking at home often involves standing, bending to the stove and lifting heavy pots, so consider preparing simple meals in advance or asking a relative to take over the kitchen for a while. A husband, a wife, a sister or a mother can become a very real support during this period.

Food, sport and activity after abdominoplasty

Food in Kananga is built around staples such as cassava, maize, beans, vegetables and fish, often cooked at home for the whole family. After surgery, the hospital stay of 1–3 days includes meals in a comfortable ward under medical supervision. At home, light and balanced food helps you feel comfortable, and plenty of water is useful. Your surgeon will tell you whether any limits apply to you personally. Alcohol and smoking are out for at least a month, and before the operation you stop them 7–10 days ahead, together with medicines that affect blood clotting.

Football is the most popular sport in the city, and many people in Kananga play it on weekends or watch it with friends. After a tummy tuck, sport is resumed gradually and only with the surgeon's approval. Running, jumping and contact games put strain on the abdomen, so football should wait until the surgeon permits it. Meanwhile, you can go for short, calm walks, which are useful for general circulation, as long as you avoid sudden movements.

Compression garments are worn for another 4–8 weeks after the early recovery period. The general rule is that the first 3–4 weeks the garment stays on around the clock, then during the daytime for roughly a month more, and your operating surgeon names the exact period. Many patients ask whether they can skip it in the heat. The answer is that recovery is worse without it, because it supports the tissues and reduces swelling.

Who is a candidate and who is not

You must be at least 18 and have no contraindications. There is no upper age limit, and each case is considered individually after an examination and a health assessment. A person from Kananga who thinks about a tummy tuck should be honest about their health, their medicines and their plans for the future, because this information determines what the surgeon recommends.

Typical candidates are people with excess abdominal skin or with a stretched abdominal wall, for instance after pregnancies or after a considerable loss of weight. A tummy tuck is not a method of weight loss. The World Health Organization describes overweight and obesity as a health matter, and the doctor may suggest first working on general health and body weight before an operation. A frank discussion with the surgeon helps you decide the right moment.

Contraindications are decided by doctors, not by coordinators or by relatives. Chronic illnesses, problems with blood clotting, infections and other conditions may mean that surgery has to wait or that another approach is better. For a mini tummy tuck, one day in hospital is usually enough, while a classic tummy tuck means 1–3 days under supervision. During the online consultation we explain the difference, and the final choice is made by the surgeon after reviewing your information.

Preparation: tests and check-ups you do in advance

Preparation is a must. The standard list is the same for everyone: blood and urine tests, a coagulation panel, biochemistry, infection tests, an ECG, a chest X-ray, an ultrasound of the leg veins and a GP's report. The pre-surgery check-up also includes consultations with a GP and an anaesthetist. The exact list comes from the surgeon at the consultation, and tests usually stay valid for 10–14 days.

For a patient in Kananga, the key advice is to do all of this in advance and not the day before. Arrange the laboratory visits at a calm time, keep the paper results in one folder, and photograph them so that you can send them to your coordinator on Telegram or WhatsApp. If a test is repeated or an extra examination is requested, you will have time to do it without stress.

Remember the behaviour rules before the operation: stop smoking, drinking alcohol and taking medicines that affect blood clotting 7–10 days before. Do not stop any regular medicine by yourself, since some medicines are essential for your health. Discuss each one with the doctor during the consultation, and write the questions down so that you do not forget them.

Kananga's rhythm of the week and how to plan the first days at home

Kananga is a city where the week has a clear shape. Offices and schools set the weekdays, markets are busy early in the morning, and church life gives many families a fixed Sunday. A tummy tuck fits best when it follows this rhythm instead of fighting it. Before you choose a date, write down your usual week and mark the days when you are most needed by other people. Then ask yourself who can cover each of those tasks during the first 2–3 weeks, when physical exertion, heavy lifting and sudden movements are not allowed.

The first days at home are quieter than most patients expect. After the hospital stay of 1–3 days, you continue the recovery programme in your own bed, with your own food and your family around you. Prepare one room in advance: a bed that is easy to get out of, water within reach, a phone with a charger, and the compression garment kept clean and ready. Visitors are a typical feature of life in Kananga, because relatives and neighbours like to come and greet a person who has been unwell. Agree with a trusted relative how many visitors you can receive, so that you are not standing, hosting and serving tea when you should be resting.

Electricity, water and the state of the road near your home also deserve a thought. A fully charged phone matters because the coordinators are available around the clock on Telegram and WhatsApp, and you may want to send a photograph of a dressing or ask a question in the evening. Keep the numbers of the people who will help you in one place and tell them the date of the first check-up at 7 days.

Questions Kananga patients often bring before the first message

Patients from Kananga rarely ask only about the operation itself. They ask whether the scar will be visible under everyday clothes, whether a woman can plan another pregnancy later, whether a man can have the procedure, and whether the operation will interfere with church, school or market duties. These are sensible questions, and the honest answer to most of them starts with the surgeon. A tummy tuck is considered individually after an examination and a health assessment, and there is no upper age limit, while the minimum is 18 years with no contraindications.

A question about future pregnancies is best raised openly at the online consultation. Tell the team about your family plans, because they influence the timing of the operation and the surgeon's advice. The same applies to further weight loss: if you expect your weight to change a lot, discuss it before choosing a date. The World Health Organization treats overweight and obesity as a health issue, and a calm talk with the doctor about body weight is part of responsible planning.

Another frequent question is about privacy. Many people in a close community prefer not to announce an operation to everyone. You decide who knows. The consultation is online, you write from your own phone, and you can choose the time that suits you. Still, name at least one adult who knows the plan and can help in the first weeks, because recovery should not be carried alone.

Scar, skin and sun care in a savanna climate

Kananga lies in a tropical savanna zone, so strong sun is part of ordinary life for most of the year. After a tummy tuck, the scar is the part of the body that needs the most patience. The final result and the scar are assessed at 6–12 months, when the tissues are fully adapted, so the care you give in the early months counts. Keep the area covered by clothing and the compression garment, and avoid exposing it to direct sunshine. Tanning beds are out for at least a month, and natural sun deserves the same caution while the skin is still healing.

Dust is the other everyday factor during the dry season. Dressings should stay clean, so do not walk along dusty roads or sit near open fires and cooking smoke more than necessary in the first weeks. If a dressing becomes wet, dirty or loose, send a photograph to the coordinators and follow the surgeon's advice instead of changing it by yourself. Dressings and aftercare advice are already included in the surgery programme, so there is no reason to improvise.

Sweat can irritate the skin under the garment on hot afternoons. Rest in a shaded, ventilated room, wear soft cotton over the garment, and wash and dry it as the team recommends. Do not remove it for comfort without asking, because recovery is worse without the garment: it supports the tissues and reduces swelling. The first 3–4 weeks it stays on around the clock, then during the daytime for roughly a month more, and your operating surgeon names the exact period.

How the remote consultation from Kananga works

The consultation is free and online. You write to the coordinators on Telegram or WhatsApp, who are available around the clock. You describe your goals, your health history and any previous operations, and you can send photographs and test results if you have them. The medical team reviews this information, and the surgeon explains what type of tummy tuck suits you, what the plan is and what to expect.

Good questions to ask the surgeon: What type of operation do you recommend for me, classic or mini? What is the plan for anaesthesia? General anaesthesia is used, and the stay in hospital is up to 3 days. How will my recovery be organised? What will the compression garment schedule look like for me? When can I return to my work, my household duties and my sport? What will happen at the check-ups after 7 days, 3 months and 6 months?

After surgery you receive a recovery programme. The surgeon follows your recovery and the changing abdominal contour at check-ups after 7 days, 3 months and 6 months. Check-ups, dressings and aftercare advice are part of the programme, and you can also get a post-surgery consultation with your surgeon to review results. Between the check-ups, the coordinators remain available to you 24/7, so a worry that appears at night does not have to wait.

When can I go back to work after a tummy tuck if I live in Kananga?

If your work is of the office type, you can return after 2–3 weeks. If it involves standing for long hours, lifting or walking a lot, ask the surgeon at the consultation, because the first 2–3 weeks exclude physical exertion, heavy lifting and sudden movements.

Is the rainy season a problem for recovery?

It is not forbidden, but it needs planning. Wet and muddy paths raise the chance of slipping, which is unsafe in the first weeks. Arrange help for shopping and carrying, and plan extra time for the check-ups at 7 days, 3 months and 6 months.

Do I have to wear the compression garment in hot weather?

Yes, it is a requirement. Recovery is worse without it, because it supports the tissues and reduces swelling. The first 3–4 weeks it stays on around the clock, then during the daytime for roughly a month more. Your operating surgeon names the exact period. Soft cotton clothing over it can make the heat easier to bear.

When can I play football or do other sport again?

Sport is resumed gradually and only with the surgeon's approval. For the first 2–3 weeks you avoid physical exertion, and the garment is worn for another 4–8 weeks. Football includes sudden movements and contact, so wait for your surgeon's permission.

How long will I stay in hospital?

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

What tests do I need before the operation?

The list is the same for everyone: blood and urine tests, a coagulation panel, biochemistry, infection tests, an ECG, a chest X-ray, an ultrasound of the leg veins and a GP's report. The surgeon gives the exact list at the consultation, and tests usually stay valid for 10–14 days, so do them in advance but not too early.

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 and scar are assessed at 6–12 months, when the tissues are fully adapted.

Who cannot have a tummy tuck?

You must be at least 18 and have no contraindications. There is no upper age limit, and each case is considered individually after an examination and a health assessment. The decision belongs to the doctors.

Can I stay in contact with the team at night or on weekends?

Yes. The coordinators work 24/7 on Telegram and WhatsApp, so you can write at any time. The medical questions are passed to the surgeon, and the check-ups after 7 days, 3 months and 6 months follow your recovery.

Do I need to stop smoking and alcohol?

Yes. Stop smoking, drinking alcohol and taking medicines that affect blood clotting 7–10 days before the operation. After surgery, alcohol and smoking are out for at least a month. Do not stop any regular medicine without talking to the doctor.

Can I receive visitors at home after the operation?

Yes, but keep it short and calm. In the first 2–3 weeks you should not stand for long, serve guests or carry anything heavy. Ask a relative to welcome visitors for you, so that you can rest and follow the recovery programme.

Will my scar be seen under clothes?

The scar is assessed at 6–12 months, when the tissues are fully adapted. Its position and length depend on the type of operation, so ask the surgeon at the online consultation to explain what to expect in your case.

Should I tell the team about plans for pregnancy or weight loss?

Yes. These plans influence the timing of a tummy tuck and the surgeon's advice. Mention them in your first messages to the coordinators, and the surgeon will discuss them with you at the consultation.