What Is a 360 Tummy Tuck?

If you have loose skin and stubborn fat that wraps around your waist, rather than sitting only at the front of your tummy, a standard tummy tuck may not give you the result you are hoping for. This is where a 360 tummy tuck comes in. In this guide, we explain what the procedure involves, who it tends to suit, how it can affect the shape of your bottom and what recovery usually looks like.

What is a 360 tummy tuck?

A 360 tummy tuck, also called a circumferential abdominoplasty or belt lipectomy, is an operation that removes excess skin and fat from all the way around the lower trunk. Rather than treating the front of the abdomen alone, it addresses the tummy, the flanks (sometimes called love handles) and the lower back in a single procedure.

The name comes from the incision, which runs in a full circle around the body. At the front, it sits low, usually within the underwear or bikini line. It then continues around the hips and across the lower back. Through this incision, your surgeon removes a band of loose skin and fat, tightens the remaining tissues and, where needed, repairs separated tummy muscles.

Liposuction is often used at the same time to refine the waist, hips and back, so the final contour looks balanced from every angle.

How is it different from a standard tummy tuck?

A standard tummy tuck focuses on the front of the abdomen. The scar runs from hip to hip, and the operation tightens the skin and muscles between the belly button and the pubic area.

A 360 tummy tuck goes further. Because the incision continues around the back, it can treat overhanging skin on the flanks and lower back that a standard tummy tuck cannot reach. The trade-off is a longer scar, a longer operation and a more demanding recovery.

Who is a 360 tummy tuck suitable for?

This procedure is most often considered after significant weight loss, whether through diet and exercise or weight loss surgery, when the skin has not shrunk back and folds extend around the body.

You may be a suitable candidate if you:

• have loose skin and fat around your tummy, flanks and lower back
• have been at a stable weight for several months
• are in good general health
• do not smoke or vape, or are willing to stop well before and after surgery
• have realistic expectations about the scar and the recovery

A 360 tummy tuck is not a weight loss operation. If you are still losing weight, your surgeon may suggest waiting, as further changes could affect the result.

Does a 360 tummy tuck lift the bum?

This is a common question. Because skin is removed from across the lower back, the tissues below the incision are drawn upwards when the wound is closed. For many people, this gives some lift to the upper buttocks and can smooth the area where the back meets the bottom.

It is important to understand what this lift can and cannot do. A 360 tummy tuck tightens and repositions skin, but it does not add volume. If your bottom has become flatter after weight loss, your surgeon may discuss options for restoring shape, such as using your own fat. You can read more about this on our Brazilian butt lift page, although whether procedures can be combined or need to be staged will depend on your individual assessment.

What happens on the day of surgery?

A 360 tummy tuck is carried out under general anaesthetic and usually takes several hours.

Afterwards, you will normally stay in hospital for at least one night so your team can monitor you, manage your discomfort and help you get moving safely. Small drains may be placed to remove fluid, and you will be fitted with a compression garment to support the tissues as they heal.

What is recovery like?

Recovery is more involved than after a standard tummy tuck. Everyone heals differently, but as a general guide:

• The first week: you are likely to feel sore, tight and tired. You will be encouraged to walk gently from early on to help your circulation, but you will need help at home with everyday tasks.
• Two to four weeks: discomfort usually eases. Many people return to desk-based work in this period, although some need longer.
• Six weeks and beyond: you should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise until your surgeon confirms it is safe. You may need to wear your compression garment for several weeks.
• Several months: swelling continues to settle gradually, and it can take a year or more for scars to mature and fade.

What are the risks?

As with any major operation, a 360 tummy tuck carries risks, including:

• bleeding, infection and reactions to the anaesthetic
• a build-up of fluid under the skin (seroma), which may need draining
• delayed wound healing, particularly where the incision is under tension
• blood clots in the legs or lungs
• changes in skin sensation around the scar
• asymmetry, irregular contours or small folds of skin at the ends of the scar
• scars that widen or thicken, or the need for further surgery to refine the result

Smoking, a higher body mass index and certain medical conditions can increase these risks, so be open about your health history at consultation.

Choosing your surgeon

A 360 tummy tuck should be carried out by a surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register for plastic surgery. At Kat & Co in Edgbaston, body contouring surgery is performed by consultant plastic surgeons, including our Clinic Director, Mr Andrej Salibi (MD MRCS MSc (AesthPlastSurg) FRCS (Plast), GMC Specialist Register, BAAPS), and Miss Maria Chasapi (MD MRCS FRCS (Plast), GMC Specialist Register (Plastic Surgery), BAAPS member).

You can find out more about the procedure, including what to expect at your consultation, on our 360 tummy tuck page.

Is a 360 tummy tuck right for you?

A 360 tummy tuck can change how clothes fit and how comfortable you feel in your body, particularly after major weight loss. It is also a significant operation with a long scar and a recovery that needs time and support, so take time to understand your options and ask plenty of questions.

Book a consultation at Kat & Co in Edgbaston, Birmingham.