Liposuction or Tummy Tuck – Which Do I Need?

Many women will notice changes to their tummies after having children and long for the return of their pre-pregnancy shape.

Thankfully, when diet and exercises are simply not enough, cosmetic surgery can help. There are two options for re-contouring the stomach; liposuction or an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), but how do you know which is the right one for you?

Ocean Clinic Marbella has produced a guide to help you decide…

What can happen to the stomach following pregnancy?

Carrying a child to full-term sees your abdomen inflate like a balloon, this stretches the skin and muscles and, unfortunately, they won’t always return to normal – the likelihood of this increases with each pregnancy.

Some of the issues you may face include:

·      Stubborn belly fat

·      Stretch marks

·      C-section scars

·      Crêpey skin

·      Excess/loose skin (some women may be left with a hanging apron of loose skin and fatty tissue known medically as a panniculus)

·      Stretched abdominal muscle

·      Diastasis recti – separation of the left and right side of the abdominal muscle

Which conditions can be treated with liposuction?

If you have excess or hard-to-shift belly fat but otherwise good skin and muscle tone, this can be treated very effectively with liposuction.

Reduction in girth from liposuction may also make any stretch marks and scars less visible as the skin contracts on itself.

However, if you are suffering with lots of excess skin or stretched out muscles, liposuction will not be able to help.

If fat is removed without the repair of underlying muscle, the stomach will still follow the contour of the bulging Rectus Abdominis and the tummy will not be flat (usually the desired outcome).

Which conditions can be treated with a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is a more extensive surgical procedure that involves the removal of excess abdominal skin and fatty tissue. The muscles of the abdominal wall are tightened from below the ribs to the pubic bone and, in the case of Diastasis recti, pulled together.

The skin is then pulled tight and reattached; this improves the appearance of crêpey skin, stretch marks and scars.

Unlike liposuction, abdominoplasty creates a flatter, firmer underlying muscle structure and prevents the tummy from bulging when sitting or bending, however it cannot be used to remove significant amounts of fat. Therefore, it is ideal if the problem is primarily loose skin with little fat.

What about if I have excess skin and fat?

If you are suffering with a combination of issues we can combine a tummy tuck with liposuction – in fact, here at Ocean Clinic Marbella we tend to include an element of lipo in all abdominoplasties because of the superior results that can be achieved.

Lipoabdominoplasty (also called a Brazilian tummy tuck) offers patients the opportunity to re-sculpt their silhouette. As well as the ability to remove larger amounts of excess fat, liposcultpure can be used to fine-tune the tummy’s appearance.

Any lumps and bumps can be smoothed out, and ‘love handles’ removed to create a neat, sculpted waist. Any stubborn fat around the belly button can also be treated, getting rid of that pouchy appearance for good and giving you the perfect flat tummy – whether you had one before pregnancy or not!

How do I know if my abdominal muscles need tightening or if it’s simply excess fat?

It can sometimes be difficult to tell if lax or separated muscles are playing a role in your stomach’s appearance. The best way to find out exactly what treatment you need is to come in for a consultation.

Ocean Clinic’s Head Surgeon Dr. Kaye is highly experienced in abdominal surgery and will be able to tell by feeling the muscle if there is laxity or separation. He will also be able to provide you with a bespoke quotation for the recommended treatment.

Want to say goodbye to that mummy tummy? Contact us for a consultation today.

Considering Cosmetic Surgery Abroad? Your Questions Answered

Ocean Clinic Marbella not only treats many local expat patients, we also frequently have people travel from the UK and many other countries to undergo treatment.

That’s because they can make significant savings here in Spain without sacrificing the standard of care. Patients can save as much as 60%, depending on the procedure and the current exchange rate.

However, there are other considerations besides cost when deciding where to undergo treatment. To help you decide if cosmetic surgery in Spain could be right for you, we’ve compiled some of the most common questions asked by UK-based and international patients…

Do I need to come to Spain for my initial consultation?

Your initial consultation is a fact finding mission that will help you decide if a particular procedure is something you want to go ahead with or not. As such, we recognise that you will want to avoid spending out on hotels and flights at this stage and therefore offer the possibility for you to submit photos to our Head Surgeon Dr. Kaye in the first instance.

He will be able to respond regarding your suitability for the surgery and provide a quotation. If you wish to find out more about the procedure and have questions to ask, then a Skype video consultation can be arranged.

If there is any doubt around your suitability or any potential concerns then an in-the-flesh meeting will be requested. Thanks to the number of low cost flight operators flying from the UK to Malaga this needn’t be a big expense.

If you and Dr. Kaye are happy to proceed after your initial online consultation, you will be asked to arrive in Spain at least two days before your surgery date for a pre-op appointment where you can be assessed in person.

What happens at the pre-op appointment?

This is when we carry out a blood test and an ECG to ensure you are fit to undergo surgery. We will also guide you through a comprehensive health questionnaire, take pre-op photographs and provide detailed information about your procedure for you to read.

When you are happy with everything, you will be asked to sign your consent. The whole appointment normally takes around an hour. You are welcome to bring a friend or partner with you to the pre-op consultation.

You will then be able to spend some time at leisure in sunny Marbella before returning to the clinic for surgery, first thing in the morning, two days later.

How long will I need to stay in Marbella?

Depending on the procedure you’re having, the duration of your stay will range from five days to two weeks (inclusive of pre-op and post-op appointments).

We can provide you with recommendations for hotels or apartments close to the clinic to suit your budget. Ocean Clinic doctors will be on hand at all times should you have any issues.

Although you will be away from home during your recovery, having surgery abroad offers you complete discretion – no one will know unless you tell them!

And once your energy levels return after the first few days, you will find plenty to keep you occupied in Marbella, including a fantastic array of shops and restaurants lining charming Spanish streets and plazas.

Can I travel to Marbella alone for surgery?

We recommend that you have someone stay with you for at least 48-hours after surgery. It’s always great to have the support of a partner or friend, but if this is not possible we can recommend carers who can be privately hired to stay with you.

We can also arrange for taxis to take you to and from appointments. It is important to note that you will not be able to drive immediately after your surgery.

What happens regarding aftercare once I am back in the UK?

Upon discharge you will be provided with information and advice about your ongoing recovery, including what to expect and anything to monitor.

You will be able to speak to a surgeon on the phone or via email at any time should you have questions or concerns. Skype consultations can also be arranged.

The requirement for revision surgery is rare, but if anything does go wrong, you can rest assured in the knowledge that you can return for further treatment, inclusive in the original cost.

The benefit of choosing Spain for your cosmetic surgery over other destinations such as Thailand or Brazil is that you can be here door-to-door in half a day. In addition, the cost of flights is not prohibitive.

If a patient wants to insure any possibility of revision surgery independent from our own service, we offer our international patients the possibility to buy an international aftercare insurance through our medical tourism insurer.

Will the doctors speak English?

Everyone at Ocean Clinic Marbella, from our reception staff and nurses, through to our surgeons and specialists speak good English, so you won’t have to worry about anything getting lost in translation.

Are you regulated in the same way UK cosmetic surgeons are?

Yes. Doctors practicing in the Spain are both highly trained and closely regulated. In accordance with Spanish law, all doctors must undergo at least six years of training before they can officially begin to practice medicine and those who wish to specialise must train for even longer before they are recognised as qualified in their field.

Ocean Clinic’s Head Surgeon Dr. Kaye is recognised worldwide for his expertise, regularly invited to lecture at medical conferences and demonstrate his techniques to peers.

Dr. Kaye is a fully registered Plastic Surgery Consultant in Germany, Spain and the UK and is a member of numerous national associations including the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) and the European Board of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS).

Ocean Clinic is also proud of its world-class operating theatre and facilities, including luxury guest rooms. Find out more here.

Want to know more about coming to Spain for cosmetic surgery? Contact us today via our online contact form or send us a message on Facebook.

International Cosmetic Surgery Meeting Comes to Marbella

Leading plastic surgeons from around the world will gather in Marbella this July to discuss best practice in cosmetic surgery.

The Marbella International Plastic Surgery Summer School (MIPSS) will be the first international plastic surgery meeting in the south of Spain.

The event is being organised by Dr. Kai Kaye, Head Surgeon at Ocean Clinic Marbella, with endorsement from the Spanish and German national societies for plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery; SECPRE and DGPRAEC.

The event will take place over three days (July 28-30) and include presentations from 20 surgeons and specialists from all over Europe and Africa.

The doctors will lecture on topics such as using a patient’s own fat for breast enlargements and reconstructions, developments in gender reassignment surgery, and the procedure everyone is taking about, the ‘Brazilian butt lift’.

Dr. Kaye will lecture on his cutting-edge facelift techniques and demonstrate those techniques by performing live surgery at his clinic on Av Ramon y Cajal in central Marbella.

By inviting his colleagues to Spain, Dr. Kaye aims to break away from the large, industry-orientated surgical meetings and better facilitate collaboration.

“What we want to create is an annual, face-to-face event where plastic surgeons can share their honest experiences, discuss pearls and pitfalls of new techniques and contribute presentations within their field of expertise,” he says.

“The meeting will be a compact and condensed two and a half-days of live surgeries and presentations, allowing and specifically aiming for a direct and on-going exchange between all participants.”

The event will also feature a programme of social events, including a ‘Marbella clubbing experience’ for the young and young at heart. Around 40 participants are expected in total.

10 Aftercare Tips to Improve The Results of Your Cosmetic Surgery

When you have cosmetic surgery you invest a lot – both financially and emotionally. 

We understand you want to achieve the very best results possible, and while much of the responsibility for that lies in the skill of the surgeon, there are also things you can do to help. 


You can take a proactive role in your recovery by following these 10 aftercare tips and enjoy even better results from your surgery…

1.    Perform scar massage

Scarring is always a concern for patients undergoing invasive surgery. How visible will they be afterwards? Will they show when I’m wearing a swimsuit? What colour will they be? Everyone heals differently, based on their skin type, quality and colour, so it’s not always easy to predict.

However, massaging your scar can significantly improve results. Once any stitches have been removed and the wound is well healed, you may begin massaging your scars with Vitamin E oil or cream.

Massaging daily for several months will help prevent the excess build up of collagen fibres (produced as the body heals) and lead to a flatter, softer scar.

2.    Perform tissue massage

You can help reduce post-surgical swelling by gently massaging the affected tissue, however you should obtain your surgeon’s approval before starting.

Massage helps to activate the body’s lymphatic drainage system, moving stagnant fluids through the body and flushing out toxins. It can speed up healing by encouraging blood flow and help reduce the formation of scar tissue.

Scar tissue (fibrosis) can alter the appearance of your surgeon’s work so taking steps to minimise its formation will lead to better final results.

3.    Stop smoking

Smoking makes it much harder for your body to heal by constricting the blood vessels and causing blood to become thicker. Good blood flow is essential for carrying oxygen and haemoglobin to injured tissues.

In addition, cigarette smoke actually inhibits the ability of haemoglobin to carry oxygen, increasing wound healing problems by as much as 10 times.

Giving up smoking is the number one change you can make to improve the results of your surgery – and your health in general.

4.    Apply sunscreen

While your skin is healing it’s best to avoid direct sun exposure but, with this being sunny Marbella, that can be difficult. As such, be sure to wear a good sunscreen - SPF 30 or 40 – that blocks both alpha and beta rays.

This is important because exposure to UV light will discolour your scar, causing it to turn dark. Once a scar has become sunburned, there is little that can be done to repair the damage.

Meanwhile, sun exposure too soon after a chemical peel, laser resurfacing, rhinoplasty or blepharoplasty may lead to spotty or abnormal pigmentation as the skin is extra sensitive. 

You should take extra special care to protect your skin from the sun for at least three months after surgery, but keeping up your regime beyond this will help keep your skin wrinkle-free for longer!

5.    Treat your skin with care

Skin can become hypersensitive after surgery, especially on your face. This means your usual face wash or moisturizer could have you breaking out in a rash.

When choosing products, think of your skin like a baby’s and opt for mild, hypoallergenic formulations, like non-soap cleansers and fragrance-free moisturizers.

If your skin becomes red or irritated while healing it could result in pigmentation, so always discontinue use of any products that could be causing a reaction.

6.    Sleep propped up

If you have had facial surgery, you can help reduce inflammation by sleeping in an elevated position. Using a couple of firm pillows to keep your head raised will encourage the fluids to drain from your face.

You should also try to sleep on your back to prevent fluids pooling. However, if you find any of this too uncomfortable, return to your usual sleeping position as getting a good night’s sleep is more important for healing.

7.    Eat healthily

Eating healthily post-surgery won’t only provide the necessary nutrients for optimal healing; it will also help keep your weight stable.

Maintaining a stable weight is important as weight fluctuations can cause skin to stretch out again and impair the results of your surgery.

8.    Stay hydrated

To enhance the results of your surgery, keep skin looking at its best by staying well hydrated. Well-hydrated skin is plumper, more resilient and less likely to wrinkle.

In addition, drinking water helps to flush out toxins and reduce water retention, which causes swelling. Your body needs more water when it’s healing so be sure to drink between six to eight glasses a day.

9.    Take Vitamin C

Vitamin C aids the production of collagen and the growth of new blood vessels to replace damaged tissue.

Another benefit is that Vitamin C helps the body better absorb iron, which works to supply wounds with oxygen and energy for more efficient cellular development.

10. Follow your surgeon’s instructions!

The most important thing you can do after surgery is to listen to your surgeon and follow their advice. Every case is different, so the advice for one person might not be right for another.

Carry out your surgeon’s instructions for aftercare, make sure you attend all of your follow-up appointments and always seek their advice if you have a concern or query.

Got a question about aftercare? Contact Ocean Clinic Marbella and we’ll be happy to help!