Tummy Tuck in Dubai
The ideal abdomen is often envisioned as flat, toned, and firm—a look that can be incredibly challenging to achieve and maintain. This is one reason why tummy tuck surgery, or abdominoplasty, remains one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
For patients in Dubai, Dr. Ahmad offers tummy tuck surgery to help achieve a slimmer, tighter, and stretch mark-free midsection. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Ahmad specializes in this transformative procedure, which removes excess skin and fat while surgically tightening weakened abdominal muscles. His expertise helps patients achieve dramatic, lasting results that are often unattainable through diet and exercise alone.
Our Credentials
Tummy Tuck Benefits
An Abdominoplasty can achieve impressive rejuvenation of the abdominal area, as this body sculpting surgery addresses the three main components that contribute to an undesirable abdominal appearance: loose skin, excess fat, and lax abdominal muscles. If you are troubled by some or all of the following concerns, a Tummy Tuck could be just the procedure to help you achieve your goals.
Loose Abdominal Skin and Stretch Marks
Excess skin cannot be ‘exercised away’ because the skin is passive; it does not have a physiologic response to exercise. An Abdominoplasty directly removes abdominal skin accompanying stretch marks, thus achieving a tighter abdomen with fewer - or even no - stretch marks.
Excess Abdominal Fat
When the skin is removed in a Tummy Tuck surgery, the accompanying excess fat attached to the skin is also removed. Supplementary Liposuction may also be performed to further reduce any remaining excess fat on the rest of the abdomen during Abdominoplasty.
Lax Abdominal Muscles
Just as skin can stretch, the abdominal wall muscles can also become stretched, thinned, and weakened due to pregnancy or significant weight gain. This condition, known as diastasis recti, occurs when the connective tissue between the abdominal muscles stretches apart. While exercise can strengthen the muscles, it cannot restore them to their original position when the separation is severe. Women with diastasis recti often experience a persistent abdominal bulge, even if they are otherwise slim. Many report difficulty "sucking in" their abdomen and find it challenging to perform exercises like sit-ups. The condition can often be felt when lying down and lifting the head slightly, revealing a gap along the midline where the muscles have separated. A common frustration for these patients is being mistakenly asked if they are pregnant. During a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), this separation is corrected through muscle plication, where the abdominal muscles are stitched back together to their original position. In many cases, the muscles are tightened beyond their initial state, creating an internal "girdle." This results in a flatter, firmer abdomen, a slimmer waistline, and sometimes even a slightly concave appearance to the stomach.
Tummy Tuck After Massive Weight Loss
Patients who have experienced significant weight loss are often excellent candidates for abdominoplasty. Excess skin can be uncomfortable, restrict movement during exercise, make finding well-fitting clothing challenging, and lead to hygiene concerns. Removing this extra skin and tightening the abdominal muscles can be particularly transformative for patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. For those looking to address excess skin in multiple areas beyond the abdomen, Dr. Ahmad may recommend a comprehensive Lower Body Lift. This advanced procedure helps achieve optimal body contouring results by targeting not only the abdomen but also other regions affected by weight loss. Women with diastasis recti often experience a persistent abdominal bulge, even if they are otherwise slim. Many report difficulty "sucking in" their abdomen and find it challenging to perform exercises like sit-ups. The condition can often be felt when lying down and lifting the head slightly, revealing a gap along the midline where the muscles have separated. A common frustration for these patients is being mistakenly asked if they are pregnant. During a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), this separation is corrected through muscle plication, where the abdominal muscles are stitched back together to their original position. In many cases, the muscles are tightened beyond their initial state, creating an internal "girdle." This results in a flatter, firmer abdomen, a slimmer waistline, and sometimes even a slightly concave appearance to the stomach.
Mini Tummy Tuck
A Mini Tummy Tuck is a less extensive variation of the traditional abdominoplasty procedure that targets the abdominal skin, muscle, and fat, with a focus on the lower abdomen. This procedure is ideal for patients primarily concerned with excess fat, muscle laxity, and bulging in the lower abdominal area. Excess skin is also a factor for patients who are good candidates for this approach. During a Mini Tummy Tuck, excess fat across the abdomen is reduced using liposuction, and the focus is on tightening the abdominal muscles below the navel. A smaller amount of loose skin is removed compared to a full tummy tuck, allowing for a much shorter incision. Because the procedure does not involve removing significant amounts of excess skin, candidates should have only mild skin laxity and good skin elasticity. The Mini Tummy Tuck offers several advantages over the traditional procedure, including a faster recovery time, reduced postoperative swelling, and a shorter scar. It’s an excellent option for patients looking for a more targeted solution to achieve a flatter and firmer lower abdomen.
Who is a Candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
Dr. Ahmad stresses that an Abdominoplasty is not considered weight loss surgery and should not be viewed as a substitute for a healthy lifestyle built on a good diet and exercise. Likewise, patients' expectations as to the outcome of an Abdominoplasty procedure.
When evaluating which patients make the best candidates for an Abdominoplasty procedure, Dr. Ahmad considers the following factors, among others.
The ideal candidate for Tummy Tuck Surgery with Dr. Ahmad:
The Ideal Age for a Tummy Tuck
Excess skin cannot be ‘exercised away’ because the skin is passive; it does not have a physiologic response to exercise. An Abdominoplasty directly removes abdominal skin accompanying stretch marks, thus achieving a tighter abdomen with fewer - or even no - stretch marks.
The Ideal Weight for Tummy Tuck
To be considered good candidates for a tummy tuck, patients should ideally have a body mass index (BMI) below 30 and must have a BMI under 35 to proceed safely with the procedure.
Patients with a higher BMI often have a significant amount of fat beneath the abdominal muscles (known as visceral fat) that cannot be addressed through abdominoplasty. This can result in a persistent abdominal bulge, even after surgery. Additionally, individuals with a higher BMI face an increased risk of complications during and after the procedure, making it important to achieve a healthier weight before undergoing surgery for optimal results and safety.
Can I Get Pregnant After My Tummy Tuck?
Dr. Ahmad typically advises patients to wait until they have completed childbearing before undergoing a tummy tuck. This ensures that the results of the procedure are long-lasting and not altered by future pregnancies.
However, a tummy tuck can still be performed on patients who may have children in the future. If a pregnancy occurs after abdominoplasty, it should not pose any harm to the pregnancy or the baby’s development. That said, patients should be aware that childbearing may impact their tummy tuck results, potentially leading to changes such as muscle separation or skin laxity.
In cases where a subsequent pregnancy affects the results, patients may opt for additional cosmetic surgery to restore their desired appearance. The specific procedure would depend on the extent of the changes caused by the pregnancy.
Preparing for Tummy Tuck
The first step in preparing for a tummy tuck is scheduling a private consultation with Dr. Ahmad. During this meeting, Dr. Ahmad will review your medical history and discuss your aesthetic concerns and goals in detail. He will take the time to listen carefully and ensure you are well-informed about all your body contouring options. Together, you will determine whether abdominoplasty is the right choice for you. In some cases, alternatives such as a mini tummy tuck or liposuction may be more suitable.
Once your procedure is scheduled, our team will provide you with comprehensive pre-operative instructions and guidance on what to expect during the recovery process.
It’s important to note that smoking significantly increases the risk of wound-healing complications following a tummy tuck. For this reason, Dr. Ahmad requires patients to stop smoking at least 15 days before surgery and refrain from smoking throughout the recovery period—ideally for an additional 4–6 weeks—to ensure optimal healing and results.
The Tummy Tuck Procedure
Abdominoplasty surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Ahmad begins by making incisions in the lower abdomen and around the navel. The skin and fat are carefully elevated from the underlying muscles, allowing access to the abdominal wall. Using a technique called muscle plication, Dr. Ahmad tightens the abdominal muscles with multiple stitches, creating a firm and toned midsection.
The next step involves pulling the loose skin downward and removing the excess skin and fatty tissue. Before closing the incisions, Dr. Ahmad creates a small opening in the remaining skin to reposition the belly button, ensuring it aligns naturally.
To promote healing, two drainage tubes are placed at the incision site to reduce fluid buildup, and the incisions are meticulously closed with sutures. If there is a significant layer of residual fat in the abdominal tissue, supplementary liposuction may be performed for additional contouring. Finally, a dressing is applied, and the patient is fitted with a compression garment to support the healing process.
Once the procedure is complete, the patient is awakened from anesthesia and begins their recovery journey.
Overnight Stay after Tummy Tuck
Dr. Ahmad highly recommends that patients stay at our facility for the first night after their tummy tuck procedure. This allows for close monitoring of their healing and comfort by our experienced nurses in a state-of-the-art facility designed for optimal patient care and convenience. After receiving specialized recovery care throughout the night, patients will have a follow-up visit with Dr. Ahmad the next morning before being discharged to continue their recovery at home.
Recovery After Tummy Tuck
Immediately After Tummy Tuck Surgery
Immediately after the tummy tuck procedure, the patient is taken to our post-anesthesia recovery area for close monitoring. Once the effects of anesthesia wear off, the patient is transferred to a comfort-enhanced suite for an overnight stay.
Throughout the evening, our nurses provide attentive care to ensure the patient’s comfort and proper recovery. They will monitor vital signs, assess the surgical sites, assist with bathroom visits, change dressings as needed, and administer medications. Nurses will also instruct patients on how to care for dressings and drainage tubes before leaving the facility.
The following morning, patients are assisted with a shower, and Dr. Ahmad will evaluate their healing progress, change dressings, and ensure they are ready to return home. Patients are discharged with the support of a family member or friend to continue their recovery at home.
Tummy Tuck Recovery at Home
To ensure a comfortable recovery after a tummy tuck, Dr. Ahmad will prescribe narcotic pain medication for use during the first one to two weeks following the procedure. Patients are typically allowed to shower 72 hours after surgery.
For the first five days, patients may find it difficult to stand fully upright and will be advised to remain slightly bent at the waist to support optimal healing and comfort. To minimize tension on the incision line, patients should sleep with their back propped up and a pillow under their knees. After about a week, the abdominal tissues will have stretched, significantly reducing discomfort.
Dr. Ahmad recommends that patients avoid strenuous activities for at least four weeks to allow the body to heal properly. Mild to moderate bruising is common and may be more noticeable if liposuction was performed in conjunction with the tummy tuck.
Return Visits after Abdominoplasty
The first postoperative visit with Dr. Ahmad takes place one week after the tummy tuck surgery. During this appointment, external stitches and the drains would be removed the day after operation before discharge from hospital in most of the times.
Dr. Ahmad will continue to monitor the patient’s recovery during follow-up visits scheduled at two weeks, six weeks, and six months after surgery. These visits may include photographic documentation to track the results of the abdominoplasty. These images are kept strictly in the patient's medical records and will not be used for any other purposes without written consent.
As with any surgical procedure, tummy tuck surgery carries some risks and potential complications. While these risks are minimal, they are still present. Dr. Ahmad will discuss the possible risks and complications in detail during your consultation to ensure you are fully informed before proceeding.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) at a Glance
What the procedure does
Slims and tightens the abdomen by removing excess skin, fat, and stretch marks and repairing loose abdominal muscles.
Duration of the result
Permanent
Length of time to perform the procedure
2-3 hours
Type of anesthetic most commonly used
General anesthesia
Length of time off of work
10-14 days
Time to get back to exercise
2 weeks light exercise, 4-6 weeks heavy exercise
Your Tummy Tuck Consultation
Your journey begins with a personalized consultation with Dr. Ahmad, who brings extensive experience in treating post-bariatric surgery patients with excess skin, honed during his previous practice in the United Arab Emirates. This is your opportunity to ask any questions about Thigh Lift or Mini Thigh Lift procedures. Dr. Ahmad will take the time to address all your concerns and provide a thorough understanding of the process from start to finish.
During the consultation, you’ll also have the chance to view a portfolio of Dr. Ahmad’s work, showcasing a variety of results. Our priority is to educate our patients, as we believe that informed decisions lead to better outcomes—not only in choosing the right procedure but also the right surgeon.
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Dr. Ahmad Tavassoli Ashrafi
Plastic Surgeon
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