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• What is an Abdominoplasty?
• The Solomos Approach
• The Procedure in Detail
• Is This Procedure Right For You?
• Recovery & Aftercare
• Pricing
• Why Choose Mr Solomos?
• FAQs

Restoring Your Core: Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) in London

What is an Abdominoplasty?

Pregnancy, significant weight loss, and the natural passage of time can leave behind changes that no amount of exercise or diet can address. Loose, redundant skin, persistent stretch marks, and a protruding abdomen caused by separated muscles are structural issues and they require a structural solution.

An abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure that restores the contour of the abdomen by removing excess skin and fat, and critically, repairing the underlying abdominal muscles. The result is a flatter, firmer silhouette and a core that feels as supported as it looks.

For patients who have experienced significant body changes, an abdominoplasty is often the most logical and lasting step towards reclaiming their pre-pregnancy or pre-weight-loss confidence.

What Patients Achieve

• A flatter, firmer abdomen that reflects the effort patients already put into their health and fitness.
• Restored core strength and improved posture through surgical repair of separated abdominal muscles.
• Removal of excess skin and stretch marks that exercise and diet cannot address.
• A more comfortable, confident appearance
• Long-lasting structural results, not a temporary fix.

What Does an Abdominoplasty Address?

• Loose, excess skin: Skin that has lost its elasticity following pregnancy or weight loss and cannot be tightened through exercise alone.
• Diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation): A widening of the gap between the left and right abdominal muscles, commonly caused by pregnancy, which creates a persistent bulge that no core workout can resolve.
• Stretch marks: Particularly those below the navel, which are removed as part of the skin excision.
• Stubborn lower abdominal fat: Resistant fatty deposits that can be addressed concurrently with liposuction if clinically appropriate.
• Post-surgical or post-C-section contour changes: Where scarring or tissue changes have altered the lower abdominal contour.

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The Solomos Approach: Structural Repair, Not Simply Skin Removal

What separates a lasting, natural result from an abdominoplasty that looks merely operated upon is the depth of the repair. Many surgeons focus on removing skin. Mr Solomos focuses on restoring the entire structural foundation of the abdomen.

The single most important step in any abdominoplasty is the repair of the diastasis recti – the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles that runs vertically down the centre of the abdomen. Without addressing this, the result will lack the definition and flatness patients are seeking, regardless of how much skin is removed.

Mr Solomos meticulously repairs this muscle separation as a standard part of the procedure, creating a genuine internal scaffold before the skin is redraped and refined. The outcome is not simply a tidier surface, it is a fundamentally restored abdomen.

Every procedure is planned individually. There is no standard template. Your anatomy, your skin quality, your goals, and your overall health all inform the surgical plan that Mr Solomos develops during your bespoke consultation.

The Procedure in Detail

Abdominoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia, typically taking between two and four hours depending on the complexity of the individual plan. Mr Solomos performs all procedures personally at his private rooms in Muswell Hill and at the Cadogan Clinic in Chelsea, a world-class facility with the highest safety standards.

Full Abdominoplasty

A full abdominoplasty addresses the entire abdomen. A carefully planned incision is made low on the abdomen, within the bikini line where it can be concealed by underwear or swimwear. The abdominal muscles are repaired and tightened, excess skin is excised, and the navel is repositioned to sit naturally within the new contour. Mr Solomos places quilting sutures as a standard part of this technique, supporting smoother healing and reducing the risk of fluid collection beneath the skin. This is the most comprehensive approach and delivers the most significant transformation.

Mini Abdominoplasty

A mini abdominoplasty is appropriate for patients whose concerns are largely limited to the lower abdomen, below the navel. The incision is shorter, the navel does not require repositioning, and recovery is generally quicker. It is a more targeted procedure, suited to patients who are otherwise close to their ideal contour.

Extended Abdominoplasty

An extended abdominoplasty is designed for patients who have experienced more significant body changes – typically following substantial weight loss or bariatric surgery – where excess skin extends beyond the central abdomen into the flanks and lower back. The incision is longer, wrapping further around the body to address this broader area of laxity. It is a more complex procedure, and Mr Solomos will assess whether it is the appropriate approach during your consultation.

Fleur-de-Lis Abdominoplasty

The Fleur-de-Lis technique combines a horizontal incision with an additional vertical incision up the centre of the abdomen, removing excess skin in both directions. It suits patients with substantial laxity in both planes, most commonly following major weight loss, where a standard or extended abdominoplasty would not be sufficient. The result is more sculpted and contoured, though the scar pattern is more visible. Mr Solomos reserves this technique for cases where it is genuinely the right clinical solution.

Abdominoplasty with Liposuction

Mr Solomos was among the first surgeons in the UK to standardise the combined use of liposuction with abdominoplasty, recognising that fat removal and skin tightening achieve a more refined, naturally contoured result when planned together. For most patients, liposuction to the flanks or adjacent areas is incorporated as part of the surgical plan, with the precise approach tailored to your anatomy during consultation.

A Pioneer in Abdominoplasty Technique

Mr Solomos’s approach to abdominoplasty is built on a career spent advancing, rather than following, surgical technique. He pioneered high-lateral-tension abdominoplasty, the technique from which many of the principles underpinning modern abdominoplasty originate.

In 2007 he was the first surgeon in the United Kingdom to introduce quilting sutures into abdominoplasty practice. A technique now considered standard practice across the specialty for reducing fluid collection and supporting smoother healing.

He was also among the earliest UK surgeons to standardise the use of liposuction alongside every abdominoplasty, recognising that fat removal and skin tightening achieve a more refined, naturally contoured result when planned together, rather than treated as separate procedures. A practice he continues to this day. 

Where many surgeons adopt techniques once they become established, Mr Solomos has spent his career developing them.

Is an Abdominoplasty Right For You?

An abdominoplasty is a significant surgical procedure and is most appropriate for patients who are in good general health and have realistic, considered expectations. It is not a substitute for weight loss, and patients are advised to be at or near a stable, healthy weight before proceeding.

You may be a good candidate if you:

• Have completed your family: Future pregnancies can re-separate the repaired abdominal muscles and compromise the result. Mr Solomos will discuss the timing of your procedure with you honestly.
• Are at a stable weight: Significant weight fluctuations after surgery can affect the longevity of your results.
• Have persistent skin laxity or muscle separation that has not responded to exercise or physiotherapy.
• Are a non-smoker, or are able to stop smoking for a minimum period before and after surgery, as smoking significantly impairs wound healing.
• Have no active medical conditions that would elevate the risk of surgery or anaesthesia.

During your consultation, Mr Solomos will provide a frank and honest assessment. If he does not believe an abdominoplasty will give you a natural, harmonious result, or if he feels the timing is not right, he will tell you so. His commitment is to your long-term wellbeing, not simply to performing a procedure.

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Recovery & Aftercare

Recovery from a full abdominoplasty requires patience and planning. Most patients take two to four weeks away from desk-based work, and six to eight weeks before returning to exercise or physically demanding activity.

What to Expect

• The first week: You will experience swelling, bruising, and some tightness or discomfort. A compression garment will be fitted immediately after surgery and worn consistently for several weeks to support healing and help define the new contour.
• Weeks two to four: Swelling begins to settle. Most patients feel comfortable resuming gentle daily activities and light walking. You will attend follow-up appointments with Mr Solomos to monitor your progress.
• Weeks four to eight: Energy returns and the early results become more apparent. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should still be avoided.
• Three to six months: The final result emerges as residual swelling resolves and the tissues fully settle. Scars continue to mature and fade for up to 18 months.

360° Recovery at Sciene

Mr Solomos believes that surgery is the foundation of your transformation, not the finish line. His integrated aftercare clinic, Sciene, offers a range of treatments designed to optimise your recovery and enhance your final result. These include Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (AirPod), lymphatic drainage, and specialist scar management. Aftercare at Sciene is a core part of the Solomos patient journey, not an optional add-on.

Pricing

Abdominoplasty at this level of expertise and care represents a significant but considered investment. Because every procedure is individually planned and performed personally by Mr Solomos, fees reflect the complexity of your specific case.

A transparent guide to pricing is available on our pricing page. Exact fees will be confirmed following your consultation, once Mr Solomos has assessed your anatomy and outlined the appropriate surgical plan.

We do not believe in high-pressure sales. You will never be encouraged to proceed before you are ready, and you will never be contacted by a patient coordinator seeking to convert your enquiry into a booking.

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Your Safety & Mr Solomos’s Credentials

Mr Solomos performs abdominoplasty at his private rooms in Muswell Hill and at the Cadogan Clinic, 120 Sloane Street, Chelsea, one of London’s foremost private surgical facilities. 

Mr Solomos is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon with extensive specialist training in body contouring. His credentials include:

• Listed on the GMC’s Specialist Register in Plastic Surgery
• Fellow of the European Board of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (EBOPRAS)
• Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow

Every patient who consults with Mr Solomos is assessed, operated on, and followed up by Mr Solomos personally. There are no handoffs to junior surgeons. There are no patient coordinators in the room during your consultation. You receive the same care from the same pair of hands from your first appointment to your last.

Please contact us or complete the form at the top of the page to arrange your consultation.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Will the scar be visible?

The incision for a full abdominoplasty is placed low on the abdomen, designed to sit within the waistband of underwear or swimwear. All surgery involves scarring, and Mr Solomos will discuss scar placement and management with you in detail during your consultation. With proper aftercare – including the specialist scar treatments available at Sciene – scars typically fade significantly over 12 to 18 months.

Can an abdominoplasty fix the muscle separation caused by pregnancy?

Yes. Repairing the diastasis recti – the separation of the abdominal muscles – is a core element of Mr Solomos’s abdominoplasty technique, not an additional option. This internal repair is what gives the abdomen its flat, supported appearance that skin removal alone cannot achieve.

How long will the results last?

The results of an abdominoplasty can be long-lasting, provided your weight remains stable. The structural muscle repair is permanent. Significant weight gain or subsequent pregnancies can affect the skin and soft tissue result, which is why Mr Solomos advises patients to have completed their families before proceeding with the procedure.

What is the difference between an abdominoplasty and liposuction?

Liposuction removes fat but does not address loose skin or muscle separation. An abdominoplasty removes excess skin, repairs the abdominal muscles, and, where appropriate, can incorporate liposuction to refine the contour. If your primary concern is skin laxity or muscle separation, liposuction alone will not produce the result you are seeking.

Is an abdominoplasty the same as a Mummy Makeover?

An abdominoplasty is frequently one of the key components of a Mummy Makeover – Mr Solomos’s bespoke body contouring programme for patients looking to address the combined effects of pregnancy on the abdomen and breasts in a single, coordinated surgical plan. If you are considering both areas, a combined approach may be worth discussing during your consultation.

How soon can I return to normal activities?

Most patients return to office-based work within two to four weeks. Exercise and strenuous activity should be avoided for a minimum of six weeks. Mr Solomos will provide a detailed, personalised recovery plan at your consultation and adjust this guidance based on your specific procedure and progress.