Skin
Skin firmness
We assess the firmness of the skin, how far it can recover, and the depth of the sagging.
NB Tummy Lift · Line Redesign
Beyond reducing a sagging abdomen, we plan the abdominal line and even the 11-Line together
We assess a full tummy tuck, a lower-abdomen mini tummy tuck and the possibility of abdominal-wall tightening, and read the abdominal line that runs on into the waist and pelvis with them.
Ask about the abdominal lineFull and mini tummy tuck assessed togetherDiastasis recti and abdominal-wall tightening assessedAn 11-Line design considered where the condition allows
Self-Check
If even one of these applies, rebuilding the abdominal line is worth looking at
Ask about the abdominal lineA tummy tuck is not surgery that cuts things away — it is surgery that plans the abdominal line again
Even the same sagging concern can call for a different approach depending on the abdominal wall and the possibility of an 11-LineYour Concerns
Abdominal sagging may not simply be a matter of the skin alone
- The abdominal skin stretched by childbirth has not recovered
- Even after weight loss, the abdominal skin remains loose
- The lower abdomen folds and shows through clothing
- There is skin sagging that liposuction alone would struggle to address
- The waist line and pelvic connection look collapsed
- The rectus muscles feel separated, so the abdomen reads convex
Abdominal sagging comes from skin firmness, the fat layer and the abdominal wall acting together. Approaching it with one method alone, without assessment, can make the line hard to tidy.
Full vs Mini
A full tummy tuck and a lower-abdomen mini — the same sagging, a different plan
The right plan can differ with the extent of upper- and lower-abdominal sagging, the state of the abdominal wall and skin firmness. The extent of the incision and the recovery burden are considered with them.
- 01Full tummy tuck
An approach to rebuilding the abdominal line that reads sagging across the whole upper and lower abdomen, skin firmness, the state of the abdominal wall, and the waist-and-pelvis connection together.
Sagging across the upper and lower abdomenAssessment of the abdominal wallThe waist-to-pelvis flow - 02Lower-abdomen · mini tummy tuck
A more limited plan centred on sagging of the lower abdomen and tidying its line, which can be considered when the extent of upper-abdominal sagging is not large.
Centred on lower-abdominal saggingA limited extent of incisionA limited scope for tidying the line
Whether a full or mini tummy tuck applies is decided after assessment and consultation, and can differ with skin firmness, the state of the abdominal wall, and how far recovery is possible.
Core Support
Where diastasis recti is present, we assess abdominal-wall tightening with it
A sense of abdominal protrusion may not be a matter of fat or skin sagging alone. Where diastasis recti is present, we read the structure that supports the core of the abdomen with it.
01
The abdominal-wall support structure
Where diastasis recti is present, the structure supporting the core of the abdomen may itself be weakened. Tidying the skin alone may not settle the line, so we read the state of the abdominal wall with it.
02
Assessing abdominal-wall tightening and reinforcement
Whether diastasis recti is present and to what degree, and how far abdominal-wall reinforcement is needed, are judged after assessment. It does not apply to every case; the possibility and the extent differ with the assessment findings.
03
Stability of the abdominal line
The core of the abdomen has to be stable for the whole abdominal line to run on naturally. Tidying only the skin without reading the abdominal wall can leave the line without a settled look.
Whether diastasis recti is present, and the extent of abdominal-wall tightening and reinforcement, are judged after assessment. It is not applied identically to every case, and the recovery burden can differ case by case.
NB Eleven Line
At NB, a tummy tuck can also design the 11-Line, where the condition allows
Rather than ending at correcting sagging, we read the central abdominal line with it, so that the upper- and lower-abdominal lines and the waist line run on naturally.
- A feminine, refined 11-Line — a natural central abdominal line, not an overdone six-pack
- We read the upper- and lower-abdominal lines and the waist line together so they run on softly
- It is one direction of line design considered alongside correcting abdominal sagging
Whether an 11-Line design is possible and how far it can go can differ with skin thickness, the fat layer, muscle form, the state of the abdominal wall and how far recovery is possible. It is decided after assessment and consultation.
Diagnosis Planning
An abdomen is not assessed as one thing
Even the same abdominal sagging can call for a different approach depending on the skin, fat, muscle and the abdominal wall. These are the eight points checked together at the assessment stage.
Fat
Thickness of the fat layer
Depending on the distribution and thickness of the fat layer, we consider whether liposuction is combined and how far it reaches.
Muscle
Whether diastasis recti is present
Depending on how far the rectus muscles are separated and the state of the abdominal wall, we judge the possibility of abdominal-wall tightening and reinforcement.
Bulge
The cause of abdominal protrusion
We check together which factor weighs more — visceral fat, a weakened abdominal wall, or skin sagging.
Range
The extent of sagging
Depending on the extent of upper- and lower-abdominal sagging, the plan differs between a full and a mini tummy tuck.
Scar
Consultation on scar position
We explain the position and length of the incision line and the plan for scar care after recovery.
Recovery
How far recovery is possible
We read the factors that affect recovery together — constitution, lifestyle patterns and any history of previous surgery.
History
Previous surgery · adhesion
Where there has been previous abdominal surgery or adhesion, we assess the approach and its limits together.
The points above are general guidance on assessment. The actual surgical plan and what is possible can differ with your individual condition after examination.
Why NB
We see a tummy tuck from the perspective of abdominal design
01
Line Design
Rebuilding the line, not simple excision
A tummy tuck does not end at excising loose skin. We approach it as planned surgery that reads the abdominal line, the waist line and the pelvic connection together.
02
Integrated View
An integrated abdominal 360 view
Rather than seeing liposuction, abdominal-wall tightening and 11-Line design as separate procedures, we consider them together from the single perspective of abdominal design.
03
Scar & Recovery
Scar position and recovery considered together
The position of the incision line, scar care and the recovery burden are planned together from the start. We explain not only the result but the recovery plan with it.
04
Surgeon-Led
Assessed, planned and operated by the surgeon
A tummy tuck is surgery whose assessment differs case by case. A body-contouring specialist with 25 years of experience assesses, plans and operates personally.
Related Lines
Abdominal design line solutions
Abdominal design
Integrated abdominal line planning
Line planning that reads the waist, abdomen and flank together
11-Line abs
Feminine 11-Line design
Considering a natural central abdominal line design
Liposuction
Abdominal and whole-body liposuction
A line-planning approach for a fat-type abdomen
Waist · pelvis
S-line waist and back
The waist line and pelvic line that run on from the abdomen
How clothes fit, the waist line, an abdominal line settled again
The abdominal flow that shows in high-waisted, knit and slim-fit piecesLine Redesign · Eleven Line · Core SupportNB Approach
We see a tummy tuck as one axis of abdominal design
Full and mini tummy tuck planned separately, case by case
Abdominal-wall tightening considered after assessing diastasis recti
Abdominal sagging and the possibility of an 11-Line assessed together
Operated by a surgeon with 25 years in body contouring
Recovery & Care
The abdominal line settles through the aftercare process
With a tummy tuck, a recovery process that follows swelling, tightness, posture care and compression guidance together matters. Where abdominal-wall tightening is involved, the recovery burden can differ.
Day 1–3
Admission and rest · abdominal binder and posture guidance begin
Week 1–2
Return to daily life begins · avoid strenuous activity and postures
Month 1
Swelling reduces · the contour of the abdominal line starts to show
Month 3+
The line is settling; final refinement can take more time
01
Compression garment · abdominal binder
To stabilise the abdominal line and manage swelling, a compression garment or abdominal binder may be needed for the period you are advised.
02
Swelling · tightness
Swelling and tightness can accompany the early period, and it is a process that settles in stages as time passes.
03
Scar care
The position and length of the incision line differ case by case, and scar reaction and the pace of recovery vary from person to person, so care is needed.
04
Posture care
To stabilise the abdominal line, it is best to follow the guidance on posture and movement for a certain period.
05
Abdominal-wall tightening recovery
Where rectus muscle suturing or abdominal-wall reinforcement has been done as well, the recovery burden and the pace of return to daily life can differ.
06
Individual variation
The recovery process and the final line vary from person to person, with skin firmness, the fat layer, the state of the abdominal wall and the capacity to recover.
The recovery guidance above is general. The actual pace of recovery and how the line settles can differ with the extent of surgery, whether abdominal-wall tightening is involved, and your individual capacity to recover.
FAQ
Before a tummy tuck consultation — frequently asked questions
Even the same sagging concern can have a different answer depending on the abdominal wall and the possibility of an 11-Line. The following is general guidance and does not replace a medical examination.
Q. How does a full tummy tuck differ from a mini tummy tuck?
It can differ with the extent of sagging and the state of the abdominal wall. Where sagging across the whole upper and lower abdomen and an assessment of the abdominal wall are both needed, we consider a full tummy tuck; where the main aim is lower-abdominal sagging and tidying its line, we consider a mini tummy tuck. It is decided after assessment and consultation.
Q. How do cases where liposuction alone is enough differ from cases that need a tummy tuck?
Where the fat layer is the main cause and skin firmness supports it sufficiently, an approach centred on liposuction can be considered. Where skin sagging is marked or diastasis recti is present, liposuction alone can struggle to tidy the line, so an approach in the tummy tuck category may be needed.
Q. If I have diastasis recti, is abdominal-wall tightening needed?
Whether diastasis recti is present and to what degree, and whether abdominal-wall reinforcement is needed, are judged after assessment. It is not applied identically to every case; how far it is considered differs with the cause of the abdominal protrusion and the stability of the line.
Q. Can a tummy tuck and an 11-Line abs design be done together?
At NB Plastic Surgery we see a tummy tuck not only as correcting sagging but as an approach that can, where the condition allows, design a feminine 11-Line with it. That said, whether an 11-Line design is possible and how far it can go can differ with skin thickness, the fat layer, muscle form, the state of the abdominal wall and how far recovery is possible.
Q. Where does the scar remain?
The incision line is generally planned to sit inside the underwear line. The position and length of the incision can differ case by case, and scar reaction and recovery vary from person to person, so this is explained with the assessment.
Q. How long is the recovery?
Recovery of the abdominal line proceeds in stages, following swelling care and guidance on posture and compression. Time is generally needed before returning to daily life and before final refinement, and where abdominal-wall tightening is involved the recovery burden can differ, so there is individual variation.
Q. How soon after childbirth can I have a consultation?
We recommend a consultation once changes in weight and body shape have settled to some degree. The right timing varies from person to person with breastfeeding, the degree of physical recovery and the state of the abdominal wall, so we check it together at consultation.
Q. What if I have both skin sagging and fat?
We assess the thickness of the fat layer, skin firmness and the extent of sagging together. We may consider liposuction and an abdominal lift as one, or decide between the mini and full tummy tuck category according to the degree of sagging.
Q. Is it possible if I have had previous abdominal surgery?
Where there has been previous abdominal surgery or there is a possibility of adhesion, we assess the approach and its limits together. It is best to establish what is possible and the recovery plan through assessment first.
This is general guidance and does not replace a medical examination. What is actually possible and the recovery plan are decided after assessment and consultation.
NB After Care
NB AFTER CARE
After surgery, with you through recovery
- 01VersaClear light therapy2 sessions
- 02Ucell standing-wave therapy2 sessions
- 03Radiofrequency care4 sessions
- 04
Soft-meso injection· Performed by the doctor2 sessions - 05
Fraxel scar laser· Performed by the doctor2 sessions
Basic aftercare is provided as a standard programme of 12 sessions in total — 4 swelling-care, 4 radiofrequency, 2 scar-laser and 2 meso-injection sessions. Actual scheduling and completion may vary depending on your ability to attend.
If care is needed beyond the basic aftercare, NB surgery patients receive a 50% discount on the standard price.
Legal Notice
※ If care cannot be provided due to reasons such as equipment malfunction, the affected care item may not be offered; as a service item, it is non-refundable.
※ Depending on your constitution and healing process, side effects such as swelling, bruising, inflammation, and scarring may occur after surgery.
NB Tummy Lift
Abdominal sagging and the possibility of an 11-Line — have them assessed together in one consultation
Rebuilding the abdominal line, assessing full · mini · abdominal-wall tightening · the possibility of an 11-Line together
NB Plastic Surgery, Sinsa, Gangnam
02-3446-7575 · 02-3446-9009