Real Before-and-After Photos Show What a Tummy Tuck Can Really Do

For patients struggling with excess abdominal skin, stretched muscles and stubborn fat deposits, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) can provide a dramatic transformation. Plastic surgeons emphasize that a tummy tuck is more than skin removal, it’s a structural reset.

“When you tighten the midline, you have to evaluate the fascia in different planes,” says Short Hills, NJ plastic surgeon Mokhtar Asaadi, MD. “It’s not just about pulling skin. You have to restore the foundation, much like repairing the base of a house, to bring back true abdominal support and contour.”

Denver, CO plastic surgeon Philippe Capraro, MD agrees, noting that many of his patients come in after having children or major weight changes and are surprised at how much can be corrected surgically. “Once the fascia has been stretched, there’s really nothing you can do to restore it except surgery. Core exercises will strengthen the muscles, but they won’t bring them back together,” he explains.

Muscle Repair and Core Tightening

Both surgeons stress that repairing the underlying abdominal wall is one of the most important aspects of the procedure. Dr. Capraro describes it as suturing the stretched fascia back together in three layers to make it “as tight as a trampoline.”

Patients often arrive after months of core workouts or physical therapy for diastasis recti (the separation of abdominal muscles) hoping exercise can close the gap. Dr. Capraro is clear: “Once the fascia has stretched, there’s no nonsurgical way to make it go back. Strengthening your core can help functionally, but only surgery will reset the anatomy.”

Dr. Asaadi notes that depending on the extent of stretching, particularly in patients who’ve carried multiples or had pregnancies later in life, surgeons will sometimes reinforces the fascia with up to nine layers of sutures to restore stability.

Beyond the Abdomen: A 360° View

While the main goal of a tummy tuck is a flatter stomach, surgeons often look beyond the abdomen to achieve a balanced result. Dr. Capraro routinely includes a pubic lift to prevent bulging below a newly tightened midsection, explaining that it balances the results and creates a seamless contour. Dr. Asaadi says a good tummy tuck will remove skin in a way that sculpts the waist and enhances curves rather than leaving patients with a straight, boxy shape. Both surgeons also note that surrounding tissues, such as the flanks or pubic area, may need additional refinement with liposuction or skin tightening to bring everything into harmony. As Dr. Asaadi puts it, “The scar fades, but the shape is forever.”

Tummy Tuck Before-and-After Photos

1 / 8

Denver, CO plastic surgeon Philippe Capraro, MD

This 43-year-old patient felt self-conscious about loose skin following childbirth. Despite weight loss efforts, her skin would not retract. A tummy tuck with Dr. Capraro restored a flatter, more youthful abdominal contour.

2 / 8

Louisville, KY plastic surgeon Chet Mays, MD

This 53-year-old patient underwent an abdominoplasty with lipo360 (abdomen, back and hips) and braline contouring to address skin laxity and an abdominal “shelf.” The result is a smoother waistline and a more balanced silhouette.

3 / 8

New York, NY plastic surgeon Elie Levine, MD

This 56-year-old patient had a tummy tuck to achieve a smoother, more toned midsection. Dr. Levine’s abdominoplasty corrected laxity and restored a firmer abdominal wall.

4 / 8

Short Hills, NJ plastic surgeon Mokhtar Asaadi, MD

This patient sought Dr. Asaadi for an extended tummy tuck as part of her mommy makeover procedure to strengthen her core and remove excess skin and fat from her midsection.

 

5 / 8

Houston, TX plastic surgeon Olga Bachilo, MD

Following a 100-pound weight loss after gastric sleeve surgery, this 48-year-old patient wanted to address excess skin. Dr. Bachilo performed a lower body lift, fat transfer, liposuction and abdominoplasty, giving her a firmer contour and restored curves.

6 / 8

Vero Beach, FL plastic surgeon Alan Durkin, MD

Dissatisfied with abdominal laxity after childbirth, this 41-year-old patient underwent a tummy tuck with liposuction to refine her midsection and restore a flatter, more proportionate abdomen.

7 / 8

Grand Rapids, MI plastic surgeon David Alfonso, MD

This 45-year-old patient sought a solution for loose abdominal skin. A tummy tuck with liposuction helped her achieve her body contouring goals with a smoother, tighter result.

8 / 8

Houston, TX plastic surgeon German Newall, MD

A 37-year-old mother of three wanted to correct loose abdominal skin and restore her figure. Dr. Newall performed an abdominoplasty to tighten her midsection along with liposuction for contouring.