How to get rid of a hanging belly?
A hanging belly often referred to as a pooch, abdominal sag, stomach overhang, pannus or apron belly but medically known as abdominal panniculus can be a common concern for many people.
A hanging stomach can be caused by excess fat, loose skin, separated abdominal muscles, or a combination of these. The right way to treat it therefore depends on what is causing your overhang.
Our Consultant Plastic Surgeons can assess your abdomen and advise whether options such as a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction may be suitable.
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Do I have a hanging belly?
Excess fat causing a protruding belly is not always a true hanging belly. A medically defined pannus stomach is when excess fat and skin hang down like an apron from your abdomen.
The severity of a hanging belly can vary with some hanging down to the pubic area or to the thighs or knees.
Not sure what is causing your stomach overhang?
It isn’t always easy to tell whether a hanging stomach is caused by excess fat, loose skin, muscle separation or a combination.
The cause can influence which treatment options may be appropriate.
Book an assessment with a specialist
A consultation allows us to assess your concerns, discuss what you’d like to achieve and explain the treatment options that may be suitable.
What causes stomach or belly overhang?
The cause of your stomach or belly hang can often determine which treatment is going to be most suitable for you to achieve the best results.
- Weight Gain – When excess weight accumulates in the stomach area causing stomach and belly overhang.
- Weight Loss – Whilst losing a significant amount of weight will reduce fat in the area, the skin can remain stretched causing an overhang.
- Pregnancy – Carrying a baby can result in the abdominal muscles stretching or separating (diastasis recti) which can cause belly overhang.
- Ageing – As we age, our muscles weaken and skin loses its elasticity which causes sagging which can affect the entire body including the stomach.
- Medical Conditions – Hormonal conditions can cause changes to the body and can lead to excess fat being stored in the abdominal area which can contribute to a hanging belly.
Not sure? That’s completely normal.
Stomach overhang can be a significant source of concern for anyone. The good news is that you can take steps to reduce or perhaps eliminate stomach overhang with our range of treatment options available at The Private Clinic, to find out more get in touch on 0333 920 2471 or use our online contact form.
Can you get rid of a hanging belly?
It depends on what is causing it.
Excess abdominal fat
Weight loss may reduce it. Localised fat may potentially be treated with liposuction in suitable patients.
Loose or stretched skin
Exercise cannot remove excess skin. Surgical removal may therefore be required if this is the main cause.
Separated abdominal muscles
This can occur following pregnancy and may potentially be addressed as part of an abdominoplasty where appropriate.
Fat + loose skin
A combination approach may sometimes be recommended..
You don’t necessarily need to have your ‘ideal body’ before seeking advice. However, for safety and to help achieve a stable result, surgeons usually recommend being at or near a healthy, stable weight before abdominal surgery. BMI and other suitability criteria will be discussed as part of your assessment.
You are also more likely to maintain your results if you are already following a healthy lifestyle.
Counting calories, regular exercise, a healthy diet and reducing stress are all great ways to increase fat loss. The NHS recommends combining a healthy diet and regular exercise with professional advice to target stubborn belly fat safely (NHS – Weight Management).
It might be time to think about surgery if you have been trying to reduce your stomach overhang for a long time and you aren’t seeing the desired results.
Abdominoplasty for Hanging Stomach
An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck procedure will often be the best method for removing a hanging belly. This is a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthetic. The procedure will remove both excess fat and skin from the abdomen creating a flatter stomach. The procedure can also include muscle tightening for diastasis recti if required.
Our expert abdominoplasty surgeons are able to offer a wide portfolio of abdominoplasty procedures, including the Standard Tummy Tuck, Mini Tummy Tuck, Brazilian Tummy Tuck and Extended Tummy Tuck. Find out more
See more tummy tuck before and after photos
Panniculectomy for Hanging Stomach
In more severe cases, a Panniculectomy may be recommended [1]. This procedure is for a hanging belly that distends over the abdomen, genitals, and thighs. The focus of this procedure is to remove excess loose skin and fat rather than reshaping the entire abdominal area like a full abdominoplasty procedure would. In many cases, an abdominoplasty procedure is combined with a panniculectomy to treat the entire area.
Liposuction for Hanging Stomach
Liposuction alone can be effective in reducing the prominence of a hanging stomach but the procedure is only effective at reducing excess fat rather than excess skin.
It would be best to discuss if Vaser Liposuction was a suitable treatment option with your surgeon or doctor.
Still unsure which option you need?
You don’t need to decide before contacting us.
Your specialist will assess your abdomen and discuss which options may be appropriate for your anatomy and desired outcome.
Our Expert Surgeons
It’s crucial to have a thorough consultation with a qualified specialist to determine the best treatment based on individual anatomy, goals, and medical history. Such expert advice ensures realistic expectations and safe outcomes (Care Quality Commission).
Our team of Consultant Plastic Surgeons and Liposuction Doctors have decades of experience and will be able to provide their expert and honest advice.
- Mr William Van Niekerk, MB ChB, MSc, MRCS, FRCS (Plast), FCMI, RAF (qs). GMC Number: 4362791
- Ms Helena Antoniadou, MBBS, MD & Surg (Hons), FRCS (Eng). GMC Number: 3700956
- Mr Maisam Fazel, MA(Cantab), MB BChir, MSEd, FRCS. GMC Number : 4767420
- Mr Giuseppe Di Taranto, MD. GMC Number: 7614248
- Professor Sandip Hindocha, MD, MPhil, MBChB, MRCS, MFFLM, FRCS (Plast). GMC Number: 6122218
- Ms Rieka Taghizadeh, MBChb, MRCS (Glas), FRCS (Plast), GMC Number: 4743910
- Ms Sameena Hassan, BSC (Hons), MBCHB, MRCS, PGCERTMEDED, FRCS(Plast). GMC Number: 6157000
- Mr Kavish Maheshwari, MBBS, MS (Gen surgery), MRCS, MCh (Plastic surgery), FRCS (Plastic surgery), GMC Number:7680988
Wondering what might be achievable for you?
Discuss my options with a surgeon
How much does hanging belly removal cost?
The cost depends on the procedure required and complexity of your surgery. You’ll receive a personalised quotation following consultation.
What our patients say
★★★★★
“After losing lots of weight and saving for years I finally plucked up the courage. Prof Hindocha has done the best Tummy Tuck I could have asked for. From the care team and nurses incredible. Thank you! I know where I’ll be going if I decide on more surgery.”
Tummy Tuck Patient
★★★★★
“My mantra regarding my tummy tuck: “Nature wrecked me, Mr V. Niekerk corrected me”- My advice to anybody wanting a Tummy Tuck book Mr V. Niekerk now incase he decides to retire or worse, leave the country.”
Tummy tuck Patient
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What happens at my consultation?
1. Tell us what’s bothering you
Explain the changes you’ve noticed and what you’d ideally like to achieve.
2. Have the area assessed
Your specialist can assess factors such as excess skin, fat distribution and other relevant anatomy.
3. Discuss your options
You’ll be advised which treatments may or may not be appropriate.
4. Ask questions
Discuss expected results, recovery, risks, scars, costs and anything else important to you.
5. Decide in your own time
No pressure to book, take your time to review the information provided and
Book my consultation
Why choose The Private Clinic for body contouring?
40+ years of experience
Established in 1983 with decades of experience in cosmetic surgery.
Consultant Plastic Surgeons
Your treatment plan is tailored to your anatomy and desired outcome.
Comprehensive treatment options
Access to tummy tuck and liposuction options means the recommendation can be based on what is appropriate for you.
Dedicated aftercare
Specialist nursing support and a 24-hour patient helpline following surgery.
Highly rated by patients
4.5/5 Trustpilot rating from around 2,000 reviews
Ready to find out what could help your stomach overhang?
You don’t need to know whether you need a tummy tuck, liposuction or another approach before getting in touch.
Our team can arrange a consultation with an appropriate specialist to discuss your concerns, assess your suitability and explain your options.
Prefer to speak to someone?
Get in touch to find out more about how we can help by calling 0333 920 2471 or using our online contact form.
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