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Tummy tuck

Abdominoplasty in Utrecht: Scar and Results

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from $2,400

The price is fixed in the contract before surgery

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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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Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) in Utrecht: price and key facts

Tummy tuck for patients from Utrecht at City Medical Centre: the price is named at the free online consultation and fixed in the contract with no hidden extra charges.

Duration
2–4 hours
Anesthesia
general
Stay
1–3 days
Recovery
back to work after 2–3 weeks
Final result
6–12 months after surgery
How it works
Send photos on WhatsApp or Telegram, get a free doctor assessment and the price, then confirm the plan and dates before anything is booked.

How it works · Tummy tuck prices

Information current as of 24 October 2026

Free online consultation on WhatsApp and Telegram

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Results

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) 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 heart, kidney or liver conditions
  • Clotting disorders of the blood
  • Age below 18
  • 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

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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

The patient stays in hospital under medical supervision for 1–3 days right after surgery. Usually drains are removed after two days and stitches after 7 days. Wearing a compression binder for 1.5–2 months supports the abdominal wall and gives a smooth contour. Most swelling is gone within 30 days, with office work resuming after 2–3 weeks. For 2–3 months avoid sports, sauna and heavy lifting; at first, sleeping on your back with knees bent is recommended. By 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

Why patients 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 Utrecht: from consultation to result

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 Utrecht, 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.

Here is the route in brief. Consultation and hormone screening. Tests: blood and urine, coagulation, biochemistry, infections, ECG, chest X-ray, leg vein ultrasound and a GP's report. Surgery lasting 2–4 hours. One to three days in hospital. A compression binder, then check-ups at 7 days, 3 months and 6 months. Patients in Utrecht follow this same sequence from start to finish.

Budget planning starts with a conversation, not a price list. At the free consultation the surgeon explains what your case requires and gives a figure that does not change later: it goes into the contract with no hidden charges. The clinic has 400+ successful surgeries and 10 years of abdominal surgery experience. Patients from Utrecht simply leave a phone number to begin.

Stories of well-known people

Well-known people who spoke openly about this operation, in their own words.

All stories about this operation →

Bicycles, bags and bending: planning the first weeks of a tummy tuck

Utrecht is a place where the bicycle is the default way to move. About 51% of journeys within the city are made by bicycle, more than any other mode, and the bicycle parking station by Central Station holds 12,500 bicycles. That detail matters when you plan a tummy tuck, because ordinary city routines are full of exactly the movements the abdominal wall dislikes at first: lifting a bike over a kerb, bending down to lock a wheel, twisting to reach a pannier, leaning forward over the handlebars. Before you choose a date, it helps to walk through a normal week and mark every moment where you bend, pull, push or carry.

The recovery framework in our medical material is clear and worth reading slowly. After the operation you stay in hospital for 1–3 days under medical supervision. Drains are usually removed after two days and stitches after 7 days. In the first 2–3 weeks physical exertion, heavy lifting and sudden movements are not allowed, and at first it is advised to sleep on your back with knees bent. Office work is possible after 2–3 weeks, while sports, sauna and heavy lifting stay off-limits for 2–3 months. Those are the numbers to build your calendar around.

Turn the numbers into small practical decisions. Before the operation, move the things you use every day to waist or chest height so you do not have to crouch to a low cupboard or lift a laundry basket from the floor. Shop for groceries in advance or arrange delivery, and decide who will carry the bags in the first weeks. If the bicycle is your only transport, think about an alternative for the days when you go to check-ups. We do not give a date for getting back on the saddle in this text, because it depends on your anatomy, the technique chosen and how the tissues are healing. The doctor will discuss it with you during the consultation, and the coordinator can repeat the answer in writing on WhatsApp or Telegram.

Work deserves the same honest planning. A desk job usually means a return after 2–3 weeks, but a job with lifting, long standing or physical handling of goods falls under the longer limit for heavy lifting, which is 2–3 months. Students, who make up a large part of the city's population, often have the most flexible timetable, yet even a flexible timetable includes carrying a laptop bag and a stack of books. Tell the coordinator exactly what your working day looks like, send a couple of photos of your abdomen for the free assessment, and the plan can be adjusted to your real life instead of an average patient.

Muscles first, skin second: what the doctor evaluates on photos

A tummy tuck is not only about loose skin. The operation removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and, where needed, repairs diastasis, the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles. People often arrive at the first conversation saying that their stomach 'sticks out' even though they are not carrying much fat. In that situation the question is whether the muscles have moved apart, and the doctor assesses this at the examination; in doubtful cases an ultrasound confirms it. If the muscles are not actually separated, the repair is simply not done.

Our material describes three practical options. A classic tummy tuck removes the skin-and-fat apron across the whole abdomen, moves the navel and allows the muscles to be repaired along their full length. A mini tummy tuck deals with a small excess of skin below the navel, so the incision is shorter, the navel stays where it is and recovery is faster. Lipoabdominoplasty adds liposuction of the flanks and waist to the tummy tuck, which suits people who also have fat deposits there and want a defined waist contour. Combining procedures means one anaesthesia and one recovery period.

The operation itself takes 2–4 hours under general anaesthesia, so you feel nothing during it. Tightness and soreness appear over the first days and are relieved with the painkillers the doctor prescribes; by the end of the first week the discomfort noticeably eases. A classic operation means 1–3 days in hospital, and for a mini version one day is usually enough. The price is named at the free online consultation and fixed in the contract, and it includes scheduled dressings, check-ups, the compression garment fitted on the day of surgery and the hospital stay with meals.

For the online assessment you send photos through WhatsApp or Telegram and tell the coordinator about pregnancies, weight changes and earlier operations. A stable weight matters: a tummy tuck is not a way to lose weight, and if your weight is still changing, the advice is to see a dietitian or endocrinologist first. The coordinators answer round the clock, so a question that comes to mind late in the evening does not have to wait. The doctor will tell you honestly if your case can be solved without an operation, and that conversation costs nothing.

Family life, small households and who carries what

Household structure shapes recovery more than most people expect. In Utrecht about 52.5% of households are single-person households, and roughly 52% of residents are women. If you live alone, the first days after discharge need a deliberate plan: who will bring food, who will take out the rubbish, who can be reached by phone if you feel unsure at night. A friend or relative staying for the first days is ideal. The personal coordinator included in the programme stays on call, and progress can be followed remotely by photos, which is a real help when nobody at home can look at the dressings with you.

If you are a mother, the planning looks different. Many people choose a tummy tuck after pregnancies because of stretched skin and diastasis. Our material says that a pregnancy after a tummy tuck is possible, but it stretches the repaired muscles, so the operation is planned once your family is complete. During the first 2–3 weeks heavy lifting and sudden movements are not allowed, and for 2–3 months heavy lifting stays off-limits. Lifting a toddler from a cot or out of a car seat is exactly that kind of movement, so the help of a spouse, a grandparent or a close friend has to be arranged before the date is confirmed.

Think about the smaller moments too. Bending to tie a child's shoes, picking up toys from the floor, bathing a small child, pushing a heavy pram: each one can be handed over for a while, and it is easier when everyone at home knows the schedule in advance. Explain to the family that the compression binder, the sleeping position on the back with knees bent and the restrictions are not a matter of comfort but part of the recovery programme. Older children can take on the role of helpers with light tasks, which often makes the weeks easier for everyone.

The coordinator can go through your household situation with you in plain words during the free consultation. Tell us how many people live at home, whether anyone has to be carried or lifted, and who will be there on the day of discharge. That information is more useful than any general leaflet, because the plan for the first days is built around your real routine. If you decide that the timing is wrong for your family, you lose nothing: the consultation is free and carries no obligation to book surgery.

Compression, scar care and the sunny months

The compression binder is the garment you will spend the most time with. It is fitted on the day of surgery and worn for 1.5–2 months; it supports the abdominal wall and helps shape a smooth contour. Our material also mentions another 4–8 weeks in compression garments as part of the longer plan. Most swelling goes within 30 days, and the first visible changes appear about 2 weeks after surgery, followed by an interim result at 1.5–2 months. The final contours are assessed at 6–12 months, once the tissues have fully adapted. Ask the coordinator which garment schedule applies to your technique.

A classic tummy tuck leaves an incision across the lower abdomen from hip to hip, below the underwear or swimsuit line. A mini version leaves a much shorter one. Over time the scar fades and thins, and by 12 months it is fully mature: it is barely noticeable, although it never disappears completely. The scar is the price of removing excess skin, and it is honest to say so before the decision is taken. Check-ups after 7 days, at 3 months and at 6 months let the doctor follow how it is settling.

Utrecht gets around 1,714.6 hours of sunshine a year. May is among the sunniest months at 217.5 hours, and July follows with 213.9 hours, while December has only 55.5 hours and January 66.6 hours. The sunny months are exactly when people want to wear light clothing and swimwear, and they overlap with the period when a young scar is still maturing. Our material asks you to avoid sauna, steam bath, pool, tanning beds, alcohol and smoking for at least a month. For what comes next, such as sun protection of the scar and when to return to the beach, the doctor will give individual advice at your check-ups.

Because the scar keeps changing for up to 12 months, it is sensible to think about the seasons in both directions. An operation planned for the dark months means that the scar sees its first bright summer only when it is already some months old, and you can discuss sun care at the 3-month or 6-month check-up. An operation planned for spring means the first weeks coincide with long days and light clothing, which is more demanding for a person who wants to hide a binder under clothes. Neither choice is wrong; the right one is the one that matches your wardrobe, your schedule and your tolerance for restrictions.

Choosing the month: rain, frost and the Dutch holiday calendar

Climate normals from the De Bilt station give a useful picture for planning. The warmest months are July, with a mean maximum of 23.1 °C and minimum of 13.0 °C, and August, with 22.9 °C and 12.5 °C. The coldest are January with 6.1 °C and 0.9 °C, February with 7.0 °C and 0.7 °C and December with 6.7 °C and 1.6 °C. Utrecht has about 25 snow days a year, six each in January and February, five in December and four in March. Annual precipitation is 849.7 mm on 131 days, and relative humidity averages 82%, rising to 89% in November and December.

What does that mean for a person recovering at home for the first weeks? In winter the walks to check-ups and the time you spend indoors are longer, light is limited, and a damp 89% November can make a short outing feel like an effort. In summer the temperature stays moderate, so it is rarely extreme, but a warm room under a compression binder can be uncomfortable. The nights in July stay around 13.0 °C, which usually allows ventilation. A mild spring month can feel like a good compromise, but April is the driest month with 41.1 mm, and May is among the sunniest, which brings us back to the scar and the sun.

The Dutch calendar adds its own rhythm. Public holidays include 1 January, Easter Sunday and Monday, King's Day on 27 April, Liberation Day on 5 May, Ascension, Whit Sunday and Monday, and 25 and 26 December; Good Friday is not a mandatory paid holiday. Holidays can be useful for the first week at home because relatives are free, but they also mean that family gatherings fall exactly in the period when sudden movements and heavy lifting are not allowed. An operation in January 2027 would put the 7-day check-up in the same month, the 3-month check-up in April and the 6-month one in July, so you can see how the milestones fall around King's Day and the early summer.

The city's events can also tempt you to rush the return. Le Guess Who? fills venues across Utrecht for four days in mid-November, and the Netherlands Film Festival is held every year in September-October. Both are the kind of occasions people do not want to miss, and standing in a crowd or queuing for hours is not what a recovering abdomen needs in the first 2–3 weeks. Look at the calendar, mark the events that matter to you, and ask the coordinator to propose two or three possible windows. The final date is set only after the plan is agreed with the doctor, and nothing is booked before you confirm it.

Insurance, deductible and what a stable weight has to do with it

The question people in the Netherlands ask most often is whether insurance pays. According to Zorginstituut Nederland, plastic surgery is covered by basic insurance only with a medical reason: a functional impairment, a directly visible disfigurement resulting from an accident, illness or treatment, or certain congenital conditions. Surgery done only to improve appearance is not covered, and neither is surgery for psychological or social reasons. We cannot decide your insurance status for you and we do not promise cover. The sensible first step is to ask your insurer how it assesses your situation.

The same source explains some mechanics. For covered plastic surgery there is no co-payment, but the costs fall under the mandatory deductible, which is called eigen risico, and GP care is exempt from it. Some insurers require prior approval, known as a machtiging, before the procedure. If you think that your case may have a medical element, collect your documents first, and then talk to your insurer before you sign anything. If you are choosing a tummy tuck for aesthetic reasons, expect to arrange it as a private matter, with the price named at the free online consultation and fixed in the contract.

Weight is the other part of the picture. CBS reports that in 2024 about 50.4% of Dutch adults were overweight, and 15.7% of them were obese. Some people lose a lot of weight, with their own effort or after bariatric surgery. In the Netherlands the basic package covers adult bariatric surgery under strict conditions: BMI above 40, or BMI 35-40 with comorbidity, or type 2 diabetes with BMI 30 or more, and a lifestyle programme is typically tried first. From 26 May 2026 it is also covered for a small group of adolescents aged 13-18 after unsuccessful lifestyle treatment. After large weight loss the skin often remains loose, which is one of the indications for a tummy tuck.

The rule from our material is simple: surgery is done at a stable weight, and a stable weight before the operation helps keep the result. Skin that has been removed does not regrow, but the abdomen can stretch again with significant weight gain. If your weight is still going down or up, the first step is a dietitian or an endocrinologist, and the tummy tuck can wait. Before surgery you also complete the pre-operative check-up: blood tests, ECG, chest X-ray, leg vein ultrasound and reports from the required specialists. Send your questions to the coordinator any time of day, and we will help you to put the steps in the right order.

Does Dutch basic health insurance cover a tummy tuck?

Basic insurance covers plastic surgery only when there is a medical reason, such as a functional impairment or a directly visible disfigurement caused by an accident, illness or treatment. Surgery only to improve appearance is not covered, and neither is surgery for psychological or social reasons. We cannot judge your insurance situation or promise cover, so ask your insurer how it assesses your case before you decide. At the free online consultation the coordinator will explain what documents and photos are useful.

How does the mandatory deductible work if my insurer does approve plastic surgery?

For covered plastic surgery there is no co-payment, but the costs fall under the mandatory deductible known as eigen risico. GP care is exempt from the deductible. Some insurers also require prior approval, called a machtiging, so the order matters: ask first, and book afterwards. For an operation done as a private matter, the price is named at the consultation and fixed in the contract before surgery, with no hidden extra charges.

I lost a lot of weight. When is the right moment to ask about a tummy tuck?

The operation is done at a stable weight, because a stable weight before surgery helps keep the result. If your weight is still changing, first see a dietitian or endocrinologist. In the Netherlands the basic package covers adult bariatric surgery only under strict conditions, and a lifestyle programme is usually tried first, so the process may be long. Once your weight has settled, send photos on WhatsApp or Telegram, and the doctor will assess loose skin, skin folds and the abdominal muscles.

Utrecht is a cycling city. When can I ride a bicycle again?

We do not give a single date, because it depends on your anatomy, the technique and how the healing goes. What we know from our material is that the first 2–3 weeks exclude physical exertion, heavy lifting and sudden movements, office work is possible after 2–3 weeks, and sports and heavy lifting stay off-limits for 2–3 months. The doctor will give you an individual answer during the consultation and at the check-ups after 7 days, 3 months and 6 months.

Which season is more comfortable for the first weeks of recovery in Utrecht?

There is no ideal month, only a trade-off. Winter has mean maximums of 6.1 °C to 7.0 °C, about 25 snow days a year and humidity of 89% in November and December, which means more time indoors. Summer is mild, with a mean maximum of 23.1 °C in July, but the sunniest months overlap with a maturing scar. The scar is fully mature at 12 months, so think about the first summer after surgery as well.

Do holidays and city events affect the planning?

They can. Dutch public holidays include King's Day on 27 April and Liberation Day on 5 May, and relatives are often free then, which helps in the first days at home. Large events such as Le Guess Who? in mid-November or the Netherlands Film Festival in September-October mean crowds, and standing and queuing for hours is not what the first 2–3 weeks are for. Ask the coordinator for two or three possible windows, and the date is confirmed only after you agree the plan.

I live alone. Is it realistic to recover at home?

It is realistic with preparation. About 52.5% of households in Utrecht are single-person households, so many people face the same question. You stay in hospital for 1–3 days, then recover at home with a compression binder, restrictions on lifting and a recommended sleeping position on the back with knees bent. Arrange food, rubbish and shopping in advance, and agree who is within reach. The personal coordinator stays on call, and progress is followed remotely by photos.

Can I plan a pregnancy after a tummy tuck, and does it matter when I have the operation?

Pregnancy after a tummy tuck is possible, but it stretches the repaired muscles, so the order matters: childbirth first, then surgery. That is why the operation is planned once your family is complete. If you are still planning children, discuss it openly at the free consultation. The doctor may suggest waiting, and you lose nothing by asking. If your family is complete, the stretched skin and diastasis are among the main indications for the operation.