When working to resolve excess skin and tissue in the abdomen, a tummy tuck is one of the most popular and effective cosmetic surgeries performed by plastic surgeons. Not only does it work to remove excess skin, but it can also repair abdominal muscle damage, thereby flattening and strengthening the stomach at the same time. The effects of the cosmetic procedure are permanent, multifaceted, and can be transformational for the overall appearance of the abdomen.
This article will explore the most important tummy tuck statistics, such as: how common it is, what age groups/genders typically prefer it, and how long the cosmetic surgery usually lasts. This article offers a broad spectrum of information about tummy tucks to help you get a clearer picture of the surgery and its many potential benefits.
According to an official medical journal, abdominoplasty is one of the top surgical procedures performed on men and women in the UK — in 2021, 1488 people had the procedure.(1) The numbers of patients fluctuate, but are consistently high, often going above 3000 people per year over the last decade. In 2020, plastic surgery statistics showed that abdominoplasty was one of the top five most popular cosmetic surgeries in the world.(2)
Many people favour the tummy tuck as a way to remove lax skin after drastic weight loss. There has already been rapid growth in interest in tummy tucks of late in the UK and USA, as a result of the prevalence of newer, more effective weight loss treatments such as semaglutide.(3)
As a tummy tuck targets lax skin on the abdomen, it is more common for people in the middle age group, as this stage of life is more likely to produce excess skin — mostly due to life events such as childbirth or rapid weight loss.
Although national data is scarce, the CREO Clinic’s internal data puts the average age for a tummy tuck at 47. The process of ageing means that skin loses its elasticity naturally over time, which also causes issues to crop up for people in these years.
However, it is important to note that tummy tucks can be effective for adults of any age who are concerned about excess abdominal skin.
Absolutely. It is common for men to put on weight around the abdomen as they get older, which means losing weight can leave them with inelastic skin and pockets of fat that exercise and dieting cannot remove.
Over the years plastic and reconstructive surgery has perhaps become more popular with men due to a loss of the stigma around men taking care of their appearance. In 2020, the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery found that male abdominoplasties represented 8% of the global total.(3) However, in the UK the number of male abdominoplasties did drop by 30% in 2021.(4)
A tummy tuck is just as effective for men as for women when it comes to sculpting a flatter, more contoured stomach. It can also tighten up the stomach muscles, thereby improving core strength and enhancing aesthetics at the same time.
At the CREO Clinic, the cost of a tummy tuck starts from £8,900 for a mini tummy tuck, and £10,900 for a full tummy tuck.
Many patients choose to combine a full tummy tuck with liposuction in order to achieve a more comprehensive transformation. Prices for this combination begin from £13,900.
In general, a tummy tuck is an outpatient surgical procedure that takes between 2-5 hours. The total duration depends on the type of tummy tuck you undergo, with complex procedures that remove more tissue generally taking longer.
Most patients undergoing skin tightening feel able to resume the majority of their daily routine and return to work after 1-2 weeks, then resume light exercise after 3-4 weeks. After 12 weeks you should be fully recovered from your tummy tuck, meaning you will be able to return to your full exercise regime, including strenuous exercise
The CREO Clinic asks patients to be as close to their ideal weight as possible, but you must have a BMI of below 30 to minimise the risk of complications and optimise outcomes. You can check your BMI now with our specially designed BMI calculator.
Thankfully, tummy tucks are extremely safe as well as being effective. Like any surgery, there are potential complications, such as allergic reactions to anaesthesia, delayed wound healing, or unexpected scarring, but such complications are highly unlikely.
A 2004 study of tummy tuck complications found that from 20,029 tummy tuck procedures (with varying techniques), less than 0.1% of them led to a systemic complication – i.e. a complication that affected the whole body.(5)
The best way to protect yourself from complications is to choose a highly experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with a proven record of performing safe and effective tummy tucks. Given that 2021 saw a 44% rise in botched cosmetic surgeries from abroad, it is best to find a skilled, UK-based practitioner who can employ the most up-to-date surgical strategies to minimise risk.
Also make sure to opt for a clinic that provides comprehensive follow-up care – this ensures complications can be assessed and treated as early as possible.
1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/589985/abdominoplasty-cosmetic-surgery-united-kingdom-uk/
2. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2023/jun/weight-loss-drugs-prompts-surge-in-plastic-surgery-to-remove-excess-skin.html
3. ISAPS International Survey on Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures 2020
4. https://baaps.org.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/2021_audit_results_for_2022_release_final.pdf
5. Matarasso A, Swift RW, Rankin M. Abdominoplasty and abdominal contour surgery: a national plastic surgery survey. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006;117:1797–808.
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