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Sport, dietary changes, weight loss injections – people try many things to achieve a beautiful and flat stomach. This makes it all the more disappointing when the abdominal skin starts to sag after losing a lot of weight and forms an unsightly apron. Even after pregnancy, excess skin sometimes remains on the lower abdomen. However, even more sport, further diets and other means are often unable to remedy this.
In many cases, the only way to remove the skin apron and restore the shape of the abdominal wall is a surgical tummy tuck. This allows the sagging and excess tissue caused by stretching to be completely removed. At the same time, the abdominal wall is tightened so that the silhouette looks attractive and harmonious again.
Do you also suffer from a skin apron and want a firm and flat stomach again? Then a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery like Dr. Nichlos is the right person for you. The surgeon routinely performs tummy tucks, which are generally very low-risk, and can help you achieve a new body image. Use our online form to submit your request for a personal consultation – we will get back to you as soon as possible.
During a tummy tuck (also known as abdominoplasty), excess fatty tissue and sagging skin on the abdomen is surgically removed and the underlying muscle and connective tissue is tightened in order to achieve an aesthetic, flat stomach area.
Excess skin and fatty tissue on the abdomen can occur after significant weight loss, for example, or if the skin no longer recovers completely after pregnancy. A tummy tuck in Frankfurt can also be useful to optimize the body contour in cases of age-related skin sagging or connective tissue weakness.

Dr. Emmanouil Nichlos has specialized in tummy tucks for over 17 years and has extensive experience in aesthetic body surgery.
Using precise techniques, Dr. Nichlos removes excess skin and sculpts a firm, harmonious abdominal contour. During the recovery phase, patients who have recently undergone surgery receive personalized care, and Dr. Nichlos is available at any time, even around the clock, if needed.
A tummy tuck is a major procedure that requires careful consideration. Dr. Nichlos is best suited to determine whether the surgery is appropriate for you during a consultation at his practice in Frankfurt. Based on experience, the following groups of patients tend to benefit the most:
You can be proud of your significant weight loss. Unfortunately, the skin often doesn’t retract to the same extent and hangs over your waistband like an apron. This isn’t just a purely aesthetic issue; it can also take a toll on your mental well-being. Exercise and diet can’t change that. But a tummy tuck can. During the procedure, Dr. Nichlos removes the excess skin and restores a smooth contour to your abdomen that matches your new weight.
The baby has finally arrived, but unfortunately, so has the belly. This is a common experience for many pregnant women whose skin, tissue, and separated abdominal muscles (rectus diastasis) refuse to return to their original state despite discipline and exercise. During a tummy tuck, Dr. Nichlos removes the excess skin, tightens the muscles, and restores the stability of the abdominal wall.
Even without significant weight fluctuations or pregnancy, the skin in the abdominal area can become saggy. This is usually due to a congenital weakness of the connective tissue. As a result, the skin loses its elasticity more quickly and may sag due to the effects of gravity. Upon request, Dr. Nichlos can remove the excess skin, helping you regain a flat and firm abdomen.
A pronounced apron of fat is not merely an aesthetic issue. It can also cause serious discomfort in daily life, ranging from inflammatory skin irritation to fungal infections. The associated pain often makes wearing clothes very uncomfortable. In such cases, Dr. Nichlos can achieve significant improvement through a tummy tuck.
In Frankfurt, Dr. Nichlos performs abdominoplasty either as a mini-abdominoplasty (tightening of a specific area of the abdomen) or as a full abdominoplasty.
When it comes to partial abdominoplasties, Dr. Nichlos distinguishes between three options based on the patient’s condition:
The mini-abdominoplasty is suitable for athletic, slender individuals with a small amount of excess skin below the navel. Dr. Nichlos removes the excess skin through a small incision in the pubic area. No muscle repair or repositioning of the navel is required. The scar is small and usually heals quickly.
If a slightly larger area of skin is affected, the extended mini-tuck is performed. In this case, it may be necessary to reposition the navel and perform a slight muscle tightening. This variant bridges the gap between the mini-tuck and the full abdominoplasty.
In an upper abdominoplasty (reverse abdominoplasty), the focus is on the area above the navel. Dr. Nichlos tightens the upper abdomen by pulling it upward through an incision below the breast crease. Navel repositioning is not required, and the scar is not visible at this location.
If the excess skin extends beyond the lower abdomen or if the abdominal muscles have separated significantly (rectus diastasis), a full tummy tuck is usually necessary. To achieve this, Dr. Nichlos detaches the skin over a large area, tightens the muscles, and finally repositions the navel to its natural location. In cases of very pronounced findings, such as after significant weight loss, the tummy tuck can also be combined with a buttock lift to create a full body lift.
When we combine a tummy tuck with a buttock lift, we refer to this as a body lift (circumferential abdominoplasty). This procedure typically requires two sessions at our clinic in Frankfurt: the first to tighten the abdomen and the second to lift the buttocks. A body lift is ideal for people with significant excess skin following substantial weight loss.
This depends entirely on the amount of excess skin to be removed and your individual anatomy. Dr. Nichlos generally plans the incision lines so that the scars are inconspicuous and can be easily concealed.
If there is only a small amount of excess skin on the lower abdomen, Dr. Nichlos makes an arched incision along the pubic hairline. Through this incision, he removes excess skin and tissue and tightens the muscles if necessary. The scar will later be completely hidden by underwear or a bikini.
In cases of moderate excess skin, Dr. Nichlos also makes a circular incision around the navel. This allows him to tighten the central abdominal area as well. The navel itself remains unchanged and is simply repositioned through a new opening in the tightened abdominal wall.
In cases of severe excess skin, a vertical incision is made from the navel downward. This allows the abdominal wall to be tightened in both directions. The scar is more visible in this case. However, this is the only way to correct very severe excess skin.
During a tummy tuck, Dr. Nichlos removes excess skin and tissue and tightens the underlying muscles. The procedure does not affect the underlying fat deposits. For this reason, the specialist often combines the tummy tuck with liposuction. This allows him not only to smooth the abdominal wall but also to refine the contours around the hips and back. The result is very harmonious and cannot be achieved with the tightening surgery alone.
Dr. Nichlos would be happy to discuss with you in a personal consultation whether and to what extent liposuction is possible and advisable in your specific case.
Good preparation and planning is the basic prerequisite for an optimal result with a procedure such as a tummy tuck. The first step is the preliminary examination in our practice, which consists of a detailed medical history and a physical examination.
The subsequent consultation with Dr. Nichlos will focus on your wishes and goals and the treatment methods that are best suited to you. He will inform you of the results you can expect, explain the exact course of treatment, possible risks and complications as well as the healing process and explain what you should pay attention to before and after the procedure.
The costs will also be discussed during the consultation. As with all plastic and aesthetic surgery procedures, it is usually not possible to give a fixed amount, as each operation is very individual. However, following the consultation, you will receive an individual quote detailing all costs.
At the Berger Clinic in Frankfurt, we always perform tummy tucks under general anesthesia. To begin with, Dr. Nichlos draws the incision on your skin, then the anaesthetic is induced. As soon as the anesthesia takes effect, the operation can begin.
Depending on the treatment method, the operation takes between 1.5 and 4 hours and may vary slightly. First, Dr. Nichlos precisely makes the necessary incision(s) and then carefully removes the skin and fatty tissue from the abdominal wall. If necessary, he tightens the abdominal muscles.
In the next step, the specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery (depending on the operation) moves the belly button to the optimal position. Before suturing, he will place drainage tubes to allow wound fluid to drain away and apply a compression bandage (also known as an abdominal belt). You will have to wear this for 2 to 6 weeks (depending on the extent of the operation).
The drains are removed after about 1-3 days. As we use self-dissolving stitches, our patients do not require stitches to be removed. You can positively support the healing process and the result by following our aftercare instructions.
Allow yourself a few days of rest after the tummy tuck and give your body the opportunity to recover. Make sure you wear the recommended compression garments during this time. It helps initial swelling to subside more quickly and stabilizes the results of the operation. Immediately after a tummy tuck, you may experience temporary numbness in your abdomen, but this will disappear on its own.
You will usually be able to socialize again after about 1 week. However, depending on the extent of the procedure, it may take a different amount of time before you are able to exercise again. Until then, you should not lift or carry anything heavy and should not do any sport or exercise that strains the abdominal muscles.
The initially reddened scars will fade over time. To avoid hyperpigmentation, protect them from direct sunlight for the first 6 months and use good scar care products. We will be happy to advise you on this.
Be sure to attend the check-up appointments so that Dr. Nichlos can monitor the healing process and detect any complications at an early stage and – if necessary – take countermeasures. Of course, he will also be available to answer any questions you may have after the operation.
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure and as such is associated with certain risks and possible complications. These primarily include general surgical risks such as post-operative bleeding, wound healing disorders and infections.
However, thanks to Dr. Nichlos’ extensive expertise and many years of experience and the professional execution of the procedure under the strictest hygiene standards, these risks can be reduced to a minimum.
Nevertheless, there may be temporary redness, swelling or sensory disturbances in the surgical area. However, these usually subside on their own during the healing process. In very rare cases, a bulging abdomen can develop as a complication. This is when the tightened abdomen bulges forward. There are various reasons for this, ranging from fluid accumulation to individual anatomical conditions.
Of course, Dr. Nichlos will inform you comprehensively about all possible risks and complications before the operation.
More on the topic of tummy tuck vs. mini tummy tuck
Read our article “Tummy tuck vs. mini tummy tuck” to find out which method is suitable in your case, how the procedures differ and how the procedure is organized in our practice in Frankfurt.
The cost of a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) depends on the extent of the procedure and the individual’s specific situation. The surgical effort involved may vary depending on whether a mini-tummy tuck or a comprehensive tightening of the entire abdominal wall is performed.
At our practice, the cost of a tummy tuck generally starts at:
The exact price depends, among other factors, on the amount of excess skin, whether muscle tightening is required, and additional procedures such as liposuction. Following a personal examination, Dr. Nichlos will create a personalized treatment and cost plan that transparently lists all services included in the surgery.
The cost of a tummy tuck consists of several medical services. These typically include:
In addition, a tummy tuck usually incurs costs for:
Depending on the clinic, these services are billed directly by the respective facility.
A tummy tuck is a major cosmetic surgical procedure. Therefore, it is generally possible to finance the treatment through monthly installments.
Financing is provided by an external financing partner and can be structured flexibly depending on your creditworthiness. This allows the costs of the surgery to be conveniently spread out over monthly installments.
We would be happy to provide you with detailed information about the requirements and financing options during a personal consultation.
Depending on the findings, various methods can be considered: in a classic tummy tuck, excess skin between the navel and pubic area is removed, the abdominal muscles are tightened and the navel is repositioned. In a mini-abdominoplasty, the procedure is limited to the lower abdomen. The result can be further optimized in combination with liposuction.
A tummy tuck is suitable for women and men who suffer from excess skin in the abdominal area – for example after pregnancy or severe weight loss. Sagging abdominal muscles can also be tightened by the procedure. The prerequisite is a stable state of health and a body weight that is as constant as possible.
Yes, the results of a tummy tuck are generally permanent. However, it can change again if you gain a lot of weight or become pregnant.
Mini-abdominoplasty only affects the area below the belly button and is less extensive. It is suitable for slight excess skin or minor muscle laxity. The classic abdominoplasty also includes the upper abdomen and is used for more severe findings.
After a detailed consultation, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia at the Berger Klinik Frankfurt. The operation takes 1.5 to 4 hours. Excess skin is removed, the abdominal muscles are tightened and, if necessary, the navel is repositioned. After the procedure, a compression girdle is applied to support healing.
Yes, as excess skin is removed during this procedure and the remaining skin is tightened and sutured, scars are unfortunately unavoidable. As a rule, this is a horizontal scar that runs along the genital area so that it is covered by the underwear. If the navel also has to be moved, a fine circular scar remains around the navel. For very large operations, an additional vertical incision may be necessary, which also forms a scar.
With his extensive experience as a surgeon and the use of gentle methods, Dr. Nichlos always strives to keep scars as minimal as possible for patients. Over time, these usually fade and blend in with the color of the surrounding skin. You can support this process with good scar care.
As with any operation, there are general risks such as bruising, swelling or wound healing disorders. In rare cases, numbness or visible scars may occur. However, Dr. Nichlos’ experience and adherence to the highest standards of hygiene minimize complications.
It is important to take it easy physically in the first few days. You will be fit for social life after about 10 to 14 days. Wearing compression garments is recommended for 4 to 6 weeks. Sports activities should be resumed after 4 to 6 weeks at the earliest – in consultation with Dr. Nichlos.
The compression garment supports healing and should be worn continuously for 4 to 6 weeks. It helps to reduce swelling, stabilize the new contour and minimize the risk of scar growth.
Light physical activity is possible after around four weeks. You should wait at least six weeks before engaging in intensive sport, especially training of the abdominal muscles. Dr. med. Nichlos will discuss with you individually when you will be fully resilient again.
In fact, it often makes sense to combine a tummy tuck with other treatments such as liposuction (or lipo-abdominoplasty) in order to achieve the desired result and optimize the body shape and contours. It can also be combined with breast surgery(breast lift, augmentation or reduction) or intimate surgery. Let Dr. Nichlos advise you personally on which treatments can be used to realize your wishes.
Pregnancy and childbirth mean maximum performance for the female body, so you should give it time afterwards to recover from the strain. The tissue usually needs a few months to recover, although this is often not completely successful.
After about six months, however, it is possible to assess which changes are likely to remain permanent and whether these can be corrected with a tummy tuck in Frankfurt. For an optimal and lasting result, it is advisable that you have already reached your desired weight before the procedure and have been maintaining it for a while. We therefore recommend that you wait 9-12 months after giving birth before having a tummy tuck.
In principle, it is possible to become pregnant again after a tummy tuck. However, the extreme stretching of the abdominal skin during pregnancy changes the result of the procedure. We therefore recommend that you only have a tummy tuck once you have already completed your family planning.
Dr. Emmanouil Nichlos is a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery with many years of experience in the field of tummy tucks. At his practice in Frankfurt, he offers comprehensive advice and care at the highest medical level.
As a rule, this is an aesthetic operation that is not covered by health insurance. As Dr. med. Nichlos is not licensed by the health insurance companies, treatment is carried out exclusively on a private basis.
Dr. Emmanouil Nichlos, MD, is a board-certified plastic and aesthetic surgeon in Frankfurt who has specialized in tummy tucks and body contouring procedures for over 17 years.
The content of this page has been personally reviewed by him and reflects the current state of medical knowledge as well as the professional standards of plastic and aesthetic surgery.
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Are you bothered by the abdominal fold in your lower abdomen or does it even cause you physical or psychological discomfort? Then make an appointment with Dr. Nichlos now! The tummy tuck expert will be happy to take the time to inform you about the individual options, costs and risks of the operation in a relaxed atmosphere.
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