A reverse tummy tuck tightens upper abdomen skin, ideal for those with excess skin above the belly button. Enhances torso contour.
What Is a Reverse Tummy Tuck
A reverse tummy tuck , also known as a lower body lift, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen, hips, outer thighs, and buttocks. It helps to tighten muscles that have weakened due to pregnancy, aging, weight fluctuations, or genetics.
How Does a Reverse Tummy Tuck Work?
During a reverse tummy tuck, an incision is made low across the abdomen, just above the pubic area. Through this incision, excess skin and fat deposits are removed. The remaining skin is pulled taut and any separated muscles are tightened. Liposuction may also be used to remove stubborn fat deposits. The incision is then closed with sutures.
A reverse tummy tuck differs from a full tummy tuck in that the navel is not repositioned and only the lower part of the abdomen is addressed. It focuses on contouring the lower body rather than the entire midsection.
Candidates for a Reverse Tummy Tuck
Ideal candidates for a reverse tummy tuck include:
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- Women who have excess skin and fat deposits below the navel after pregnancy
- Men and women bothered by loose skin or fat deposits on their hips, flanks, and outer thighs
- Those with good skin elasticity
- Non-smokers
- Individuals near their ideal body weight
- People in overall good health without serious medical conditions
Poor Candidates
Those who are not good candidates for a reverse tummy tuck include:
- Women planning future pregnancies
- Obese individuals who need to lose more than 10-15 pounds
- Smokers
- People with serious medical conditions like heart disease or diabetes
The Reverse Tummy Tuck Procedure 
The reverse tummy tuck procedure is performed under general anesthesia as an outpatient surgery. It typically takes 2-4 hours. The basic steps include:
- An incision is made low across the abdomen, just above the pubic area
- Excess skin and fat deposits are removed from the lower abdomen, flanks, hips, and buttocks
- Remaining skin is pulled taut and muscles may be tightened
- Liposuction is sometimes used for additional contouring
- Incisions are closed with sutures and dressings applied
Combining Procedures
A reverse tummy tuck is sometimes combined with additional body contouring procedures, such as:
- Thigh lift – removes loose, excess skin from the thighs
- Buttock lift – lifts and sculpts the buttocks
- Liposuction – removes stubborn fat deposits
Combining procedures allows for contouring of additional areas in one surgery.
Recovery After a Reverse Tummy Tuck
The recovery process after a reverse tummy tuck is gradual and comprised of several phases, with the initial two weeks being focused on allowing the body to heal and rest.
| Phase | Timeline | Experience | Instructions |
| Early Recovery | First 1-2 weeks | Moderate pain, swelling, bruising | Use pain medication as directed, walk short distances, wear compression garment |
| Intermediate Recovery | 2 weeks – 6 weeks | Less pain, swelling starts to subside | Continue wearing compression garment, increase mobility, no heavy lifting |
| Late Recovery | 6 weeks – 3-6 months | Swelling continues to go down, numbness subsides | Transition out of compression garment, start scar care regimen, resume light exercise with surgeon approval |
| Long-term Recovery | 3-12 months | Swelling fully resolves, scars fade, final contour emerges | Continue scar care, avoid weight fluctuations, maintain healthy lifestyle |
Proper post-op care and wearing compression garments as directed can help facilitate smooth healing.
Cost of a Reverse Tummy Tuck 
The cost of a reverse tummy tuck ranges from 45,000 – 80,000 AED in the UAE. This does not include anesthesia, facility fees, medical tests, and other related expenses.
The final cost depends on several factors, such as:
| Component | Cost (AED) |
| Surgeon’s fee | 25,000 – 50,000 |
| Anesthesia fee | 5,000 – 8,000 |
| Operating room & facility fees | 10,000 – 15,000 |
| Prescription medication | 2,000 – 3,000 |
| Garments & medical supplies | 2,000 – 3,000 |
| Total Cost Range | 45,000 – 80,000 |
- Additional costs may include pre-op lab tests, post-op appointments, and revision surgeries if needed.
- Many plastic surgeons offer financing plans, allowing you to pay for your reverse tummy tuck over 12-24 months.
- The final cost depends on the extent of treatment needed and options chosen. Discuss complete pricing with your surgeon.
Many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans to help make a reverse tummy tuck more affordable.
Conclusion
A reverse tummy tuck effectively slims and contours the lower body by removing loose, excess skin and fat. It helps address concerns below the belly button that cannot be treated with a full tummy tuck. By choosing an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Shehzadi Tasneem Sultan, you can feel confident you will receive exceptional surgical care and dramatic, natural-looking results from your reverse tummy tuck.
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After surgery, it’s important to follow your doctor’s advice about when to start exercising again. The Post Tummy Tuck surgery workout timeline helps you know when it’s safe to begin gentle activities and gradually get stronger. Swelling from abdominoplasty lessens after a few weeks, but it can take a few months to go away completely. When does swelling from tummy tuck lessen? It starts to get better after the first few weeks. Tummy tuck local numbing helps you not feel pain during the surgery by making your belly area numb.
Abdominoplasty surgical steps The doctor makes a cut on the tummy and removes extra fat and skin Then they tighten the muscles and close the cut to make the belly look flatter Tummy tuck discomfort can make your belly area feel sore and tight You might feel uncomfortable for a few weeks after the surgery
Evaluating tummy tuck involves checking how well the surgery worked and if the patient is happy with the results It also includes looking at any problems that might have happened after the operation Tummy tuck complications can include bleeding infection and scarring These issues may happen after surgery and need medical attention
Asymmetrical belly shape means one side of your tummy looks different from the other side This can happen due to various reasons like uneven fat distribution or muscle imbalances
FAQs
How long do the results last?
For most patients, the results of a reverse tummy tuck are long-lasting. Maintaining a stable weight is important – significant weight fluctuations can impact results.
Will there be visible scarring?
Some degree of permanent scarring is inevitable with any incisional procedure. However, scars from a reverse tummy tuck are easily hidden by underwear or a swimsuit. Over time, scars fade and are less noticeable.
When can I resume exercise?
Light walking can be resumed within 2-3 days. More strenuous cardio and strength training should wait at least 4-6 weeks. Activities like yoga, Pilates, and swimming may be resumed after 6 weeks. Always get your surgeon’s approval before resuming exercise.
How long is recovery?
The initial recovery period is about 2 weeks. Most people can return to desk jobs within 2-3 weeks but should avoid heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks. It may take 3-6 months to feel fully recovered from surgery.
Will I need a blood transfusion?
Blood transfusions are rarely necessary. Your surgeon will discuss all risks before surgery. Tell your surgeon if you have any bleeding disorders or concerns.
