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Tummy tuck

Abdominal Wall Tightening in Polokwane

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

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
  • Serious heart, kidney or liver conditions
  • Clotting disorders of the blood
  • Age under 18
  • Decompensated diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Skin inflammation in the surgical area
  • Pregnancy 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
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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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Recovery after abdominoplasty

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

Other services of our clinic

Tummy tuck in Polokwane: techniques, stages and recovery

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is surgical tightening of the front abdominal wall that removes excess stretched skin and fat. It is not a weight-loss method and does not replace diet or exercise. For patients from Polokwane, the goal is a flat abdominal contour: removing the overhanging skin-and-fat apron, repairing separated rectus muscles and, where needed, creating a new navel.

Compression is not optional: without the garment recovery is worse, because it supports the tissues and reduces swelling. For the first 3–4 weeks it is worn around the clock, then for about another month during the day; the operating surgeon names the exact period. For at least a month, sauna, pool, tanning beds, alcohol and smoking are off-limits. Polokwane patients receive the full list of restrictions from the surgeon.

Combining procedures can make the plan more efficient: a tummy tuck with flank and waist liposuction or diastasis repair is done under one anaesthesia with one recovery period. The price for such a combination, as for a standalone operation, is set after a free consultation and fixed in the contract. People in Polokwane can book that consultation through the form or any messenger.

Polokwane and why a tummy tuck is planned here with care

Polokwane is the capital city of Limpopo Province and the largest urban centre in South Africa north of Gauteng. Its name means 'Sanctuary' in Northern Sotho, and many people still know it as Pietersburg. The population in 2011 was about 130,000. The city serves as a regional hub for a wide area, so people who live here often combine work, study, family duties and errands in one busy week. That rhythm matters when you think about abdominoplasty, because the operation is not only a day in hospital. It is a period of planning, preparation and quieter weeks afterwards.

A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and usually tightens the abdominal wall. People in Polokwane most often ask about it after pregnancies, after major weight loss, or when the skin of the lower abdomen no longer responds to exercise. The patient contacts City Medical Centre from their own city. The online consultation is free, and coordinators answer around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram. You can send your questions in the evening after work or early in the morning before a lecture, and you do not have to rearrange your day around a fixed appointment.

This text is general guidance. It cannot replace the examination and the decision of the operating surgeon. It is meant to help you ask better questions and plan the weeks before and after surgery, with the real conditions of life in Polokwane in mind.

Climate of the plateau and what it means for recovery

Polokwane lies on a plateau 1230 m above sea level. Although the city sits on the Tropic of Capricorn, the altitude tempers the climate, which is classed as semiarid. Average temperatures reach around 21–22 °C in January and fall to 11 °C in July. Average annual rainfall is 495 mm, with December or, less often, January the wettest month and July the driest. Recent seasons have also been notably warmer than the long-term average, as in much of inland South Africa.

For recovery this means two different situations. In the wet, warm summer months the main concerns are heat, sweating under the compression garment and skin irritation at the edges of the dressings. Light, loose, breathable clothing worn over the garment helps, as do cool rooms and plenty of rest in the shade. In the dry winter the air is dry and the mornings and evenings are cool. The garment is more comfortable then, but the dry air can make healing skin feel tight, so ask your surgeon which skin care is suitable and when you may start it.

Sun is the factor people underestimate on the highveld. Scars and healing skin should be kept out of direct sunlight, and sunbeds are excluded after surgery. Our medical facts say that sauna, steam bath, pool, tanning beds, alcohol and smoking are out for at least a month. In a sunny city that rule also covers a day by the pool or an afternoon on an open sports field. Plan your clothing, your car and your outdoor commitments with that in mind.

Choosing the season for the operation

Because Polokwane has a pronounced dry spell in winter and a rainy summer, many patients think first about which season suits them. There is no single right answer. The dry winter months are cooler, and a compression garment worn around the clock for the first 3–4 weeks is usually easier to bear in lower temperatures. The summer rainy season is warmer, and heat and humidity can make the same garment feel heavier, but the schedule of work or study may be freer then.

A practical way to decide is to work backwards from your calendar. 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. Look at the next year and mark the dates that matter: school holidays, university examination periods, family gatherings, a busy season at work. Then choose a window in which the first 2–3 weeks are calm and the following weeks do not demand heavy lifting or sudden movements.

The surgeon and coordinators will help you choose a window after the online consultation. Tell them honestly about your commitments, including long drives on regional roads, because sitting for hours in a car shortly after surgery is a different load from a quiet day at home.

Daily life, work and study in Polokwane after surgery

Polokwane is a regional centre for administration, trade and services, and it has satellite campuses of the Tshwane University of Technology, Capricorn TVET College and the University of South Africa. The University of Limpopo's Turfloop campus is about 30 km east of the city. Many patients are therefore office employees, public service staff, teachers, students or people who run their own business. For office work the medical facts are clear: you can return after 2–3 weeks. That is a general guide, and your surgeon confirms it at the first check-up.

If your work is physical, for example standing all day, lifting stock or loading goods, talk to the surgeon before booking. For the first 2–3 weeks you avoid physical exertion, heavy lifting and sudden movements, and sport is resumed gradually, only with the surgeon's approval. Students who use distance learning with UNISA can often study from home during the first days. Those attending lectures on a campus should ask about a sensible date to return and about how to sit comfortably for long sessions.

Households matter too. If you look after small children, you need someone to carry them, lift shopping and help with housework in the early period. Many families in the city are large and close, and relatives usually help willingly. Agree on this support before the operation instead of arranging it afterwards, and tell the coordinators if you will be alone for part of the day.

Food, family events and social life

Food culture in Polokwane is closely tied to gatherings. Roughly 45.9% of people in the city are Sepedi (Northern Sotho) speakers, and about 6.7% are Venda people. Alongside them live a large Afrikaner community and English-speaking residents, so tables in this city carry many traditions. Barbecue gatherings, family lunches, weddings and church events are central to social life. These occasions are exactly where patients ask whether they can attend, how long they can sit or stand, and what to eat.

In the first weeks the best approach is to keep meals light and regular and to drink enough fluids, so that you can move comfortably in the compression garment. Heavy, very salty or very rich dishes can make you feel bloated and uncomfortable, which is the last thing you want when the abdomen is healing. Alcohol is excluded for at least a month, so plan to be the guest who politely declines a toast. Smoking, including around a braai, is also out for at least a month, and stopping 7–10 days before the operation is part of preparation.

If a large family event falls near your planned date, discuss it openly with the surgeon. It is usually wiser to move the operation than to attend a celebration in the first weeks, when you are advised to avoid exertion and sudden movements. After the early period most patients return to normal family life step by step, and the surgeon will tell you when long hours on your feet are reasonable.

Sport, outdoor life and the pool

Polokwane offers many outdoor pastimes. The Polokwane Game Reserve, the Polokwane Bird and Reptile Park with over 280 species of birds, and the Moletzie Bird Sanctuary all invite long walks, and the city was a host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, so football is part of local life. People who are active before surgery are usually keen to return fast. Here a rule applies equally to everyone: sport is resumed gradually, with the surgeon's approval only.

In the first 2–3 weeks you avoid physical exertion, heavy lifting and sudden movements. That includes running, gym work, football with friends and carrying heavy bags. A gentle walk at home is different and is normally encouraged, but ask what pace and distance are suitable for you. Pool, sauna and steam bath are out for at least a month, which is worth remembering in a warm climate where a pool is a natural way to cool down in summer.

Compression garments are worn for another 4–8 weeks after the early period, and they should be considered part of any exercise plan. Bring up your favourite sport at the online consultation and ask the surgeon how to rebuild: which activities come first, which core exercises must wait, and what warning signs mean you should stop and call the coordinators.

Preparation and examinations before the operation

Preparation is a must. Stop smoking, drinking alcohol and taking medicines that affect blood clotting 7–10 days before a 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. For a patient in Polokwane this means arranging the tests locally, at a laboratory and medical practice that is convenient for you, and sending the results to the coordinators.

The usual list is identical for all: blood and urine tests, coagulation panel, biochemistry, infection tests, ECG, chest X-ray, ultrasound of the leg veins and a GP's report. The exact list comes from the surgeon at the consultation, and tests usually stay valid for 10–14 days. So do not do everything too early: ask the coordinators for the right moment, so that your results are still valid when the operation takes place.

Tell the surgeon about every medicine and supplement you take, including those bought without a prescription, and about previous operations, scars, allergies and chronic conditions. Do not stop any prescribed medicine on your own. Discuss it with your GP and the surgeon, who will decide what to continue and what to pause.

The operation, hospital stay and the weeks that follow

The tummy tuck is performed 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. The surgeon follows your recovery and the changing abdominal contour at those check-ups. 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 to review results and get more information, at the clinic's expense. For a patient in Polokwane the coordinators on Telegram and Telegram are the link between these appointments and daily life at home.

The first changes appear 2 weeks after surgery as the main swelling subsides, followed by two checkpoints: the interim result at 1.5–2 months and the final contours at 6–12 months. Compression is required, because recovery is worse without the garment, which 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 will name the exact period.

Questions Polokwane patients ask before the first message

Patients in Polokwane tend to start with practical questions rather than aesthetic ones. How do I explain several days of absence to an employer? Who will drive me home? Can I manage the household in the first days? These questions are sensible, and the coordinators hear them often. Because the online consultation is free and the coordinators answer around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram, you can write the moment a question comes to mind, even late in the evening, and receive a calm, structured reply.

A second group of questions concerns the abdomen itself. Is my problem loose skin, a weakened abdominal wall, or both? Would a mini tummy tuck be enough, or do I need the classic operation? Only the surgeon can answer this after seeing your photos and your health history. What you can do is prepare: take clear photos in good light, note the dates of pregnancies or weight changes, and list previous operations. A clear picture at the start saves time and avoids confusion later.

A third group is about scars. Every abdominoplasty leaves a scar, and the final scar is assessed only at 6-12 months, when the tissues have fully adapted. Ask the surgeon where the scar will lie, which clothes it will sit under, and how to care for it. Bringing this up early is a sign of a well-prepared patient.

Getting home and managing the first days

After the hospital stay of 1-3 days, the first days at home decide much about how comfortable the recovery feels. Prepare a quiet room with the bed, water, light meals, phone and charger within easy reach. Because the first 2-3 weeks exclude physical exertion, heavy lifting and sudden movements, arrange things so that you do not need to bend, reach high shelves or carry anything.

Polokwane is a spread-out city where most households rely on a car for daily errands. Decide in advance who will drive you and who will collect medicines or shopping. Avoid planning to drive yourself in the early period, and ask the surgeon when it is reasonable to start again, since sudden braking and turning the body are exactly the movements to be careful with.

Keep the coordinators' chat open. If something worries you, such as increasing pain, a change in the dressing or unexpected swelling, write to them straight away instead of waiting for the next scheduled check-up. The check-ups at 7 days, 3 and 6 months are fixed points, but support between them is available around the clock.

Realistic expectations about the result

A tummy tuck changes the contour of the abdomen, but it does so gradually. The first changes appear 2 weeks after surgery as the main swelling subsides. By 1.5-2 months swelling and tightness pass, and the interim result becomes visible. The final contours and the scar are assessed at 6-12 months. Patients who understand this timeline are far less likely to feel disappointed in the first weeks, when the abdomen can look and feel swollen and tight.

It also helps to remember what the operation is not. It does not replace a stable lifestyle, and it is not a way of losing weight. The WHO fact sheet on obesity and overweight explains why a healthy body weight matters for long-term health, and this is a good reason to reach a stable weight before surgery and to keep it afterwards. Another pregnancy or a large change in weight can alter the result, so discuss your family plans with the surgeon openly.

Finally, keep in mind that the surgeon follows the changing abdominal contour at each check-up. Take photographs at the same angle and in the same light before surgery and at each stage, so that you and the doctor can compare them calmly.

Who is a candidate and how the remote consultation works

You must be at least 18, with no contraindications. No upper limit exists; each case is considered individually, after an examination and health assessment. In general terms, abdominoplasty suits adults whose weight is stable and who have loose skin or a weakened abdominal wall. It is not a method of losing weight. The WHO describes how overweight and obesity are defined and why they matter for health, and a surgeon will want to discuss your weight, your plans for pregnancy and your general health before recommending the operation.

Typical contraindications are decided by the doctor, and they include serious uncontrolled illness, problems with blood clotting, active infection and smoking that you are unwilling to stop. Be open about your health, because an honest history protects you.

The remote consultation from Polokwane is simple. You write on Telegram or Telegram, send photos and a short description, and answer questions about your health. A coordinator is available 24/7, with easy booking and a personal approach, adapting to your pace. The consultation is free. After that you discuss the plan with the surgeon, the list of tests to arrange locally and the dates that fit your calendar.

How soon can I go back to work after a tummy tuck in Polokwane?

For office work you can return after 2–3 weeks. For physical work you should ask the surgeon, because for the first 2–3 weeks you avoid physical exertion, heavy lifting and sudden movements. Your surgeon confirms the date at the first check-up.

Does Polokwane's climate matter for recovery?

Yes, in practical ways. The city is on a plateau 1230 m above sea level with a semiarid climate, a rainy summer and a dry winter. In summer heat and sweating under the compression garment are the main nuisances, and in winter the dry air can make skin feel tight. Throughout the year, protect healing skin from direct sun.

Which season is better for the operation?

There is no single best season. Winter is cooler, so wearing a compression garment around the clock is often easier. Summer may suit your work or study timetable. The best choice is a window where the first 2–3 weeks are calm and you can avoid exertion.

How long must I wear the compression garment?

It is required. The first 3–4 weeks it stays on around the clock, then during the daytime for roughly a month more. Another period of 4–8 weeks of compression garments is mentioned after the early restrictions. Your operating surgeon names the exact period for you.

When can I swim, use a sauna or return 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 for the first 2–3 weeks you avoid exertion, heavy lifting and sudden movements.

What examinations should I arrange before surgery?

The list is identical for all: blood and urine tests, coagulation panel, biochemistry, infection tests, ECG, chest X-ray, ultrasound of the leg veins and a GP's report. The surgeon gives the exact list, and tests usually stay valid for 10–14 days, so time them with the coordinators.

How long is the hospital stay, and what anaesthesia is used?

The operation is done under general anaesthesia with up to 3 days in hospital. A classic tummy tuck means 1–3 days under medical supervision, and for a mini tummy tuck one day is usually enough. Meals are provided in a comfortable ward.

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 have fully adapted and the scar is assessed.

Is there an age limit, and who cannot have the operation?

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. Your doctor decides about contraindications.

How do I start a consultation from Polokwane?

Write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram. They work 24/7, and the online consultation is free. You send photos and answers about your health, then discuss the plan with the surgeon.

What should I prepare at home before the operation?

Set up a quiet resting place, arrange light meals and water within reach, and organise help with driving, shopping and childcare. For the first 2-3 weeks you avoid exertion, heavy lifting and sudden movements, so remove the need to bend or carry.

Can I continue a tummy tuck plan if I may become pregnant?

Raise this at the consultation. The surgeon will discuss your family plans, your weight and your general health, and will advise on the timing that makes sense for you.

What should I send the coordinators for the first consultation?

Clear photos in good light, a short description of your concerns, the dates of pregnancies or major weight changes, a list of medicines and previous operations. The consultation is free, and the coordinators reply 24/7 on Telegram and Telegram.